AI Insight
A new review of five randomized clinical trials examined whether creatine supplementation could help treat depression by increasing brain energy supply. The review included 238 participants and found mixed results: two studies involving women with major depressive disorder showed that adding creatine to standard treatment improved symptoms, while three other studies found no significant benefit. The evidence suggests potential but remains inconclusive.
Why it matters
If confirmed by larger studies, creatine could offer an accessible and affordable adjunct treatment for depression, particularly given its established safety profile as a dietary supplement. The findings warrant further investigation with larger sample sizes and more diverse populations to determine which patients might benefit most.
Understand the Science
Creatine is best known as a muscle-building supplement, but scientists are now investigating whether it could also help treat depression by boosting the brain’s energy supply. A new review examined five randomized clinical trials involving 238 participants and found mixed results. Two studies, both involving women with major depressive disorder, reported that adding creatine to standard treatment improved symptoms, while three others found no meaningful benefit.