Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Creatine monohydrate, a compound commonly used to enhance athletic performance, has also been investigated for its potential role in supporting the treatment of depression. The scientific interest stems from creatine's function in cellular energy metabolism, particularly its ability to increase brain phosphocreatine stores and improve mitochondrial function. Since altered brain energy metabolism has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression, especially in treatment-resistant cases, creatine has been hypothesized to have antidepressant effects. A small number of clinical trials and preclinical studies support this hypothesis. For example, a double-blind randomized controlled trial in women with major depressive disorder found that adjunctive creatine monohydrate (5g daily) with SSRI treatment led to more rapid and robust improvements in depressive symptoms compared to placebo. Animal studies have also demonstrated antidepressant-like effects of creatine supplementation. However, the evidence base is still limited: studies are generally small, sometimes limited to specific populations (e.g., women), and often have short durations. There is insufficient large-scale, long-term evidence to recommend creatine as a first-line or stand-alone treatment for depression. Nonetheless, the available data suggest creatine may be a promising adjunctive therapy, especially in cases where conventional treatments are less effective. More robust clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.

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