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Common gym supplement could help fight depression, new research suggests
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- A systematic review published in Brain Medicine suggests creatine monohydrate may offer benefits as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder, but current evidence is preliminary and mixed across studies.
- Some trials showed improvement when creatine was combined with antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy, while others, including studies on teen girls and bipolar depression, found no significant effects.
- Researchers believe creatine's role in brain energy metabolism and neurotransmitter function might influence depression, but the relationship remains correlational and complex.
- Experts emphasize creatine as a potentially safe complementary treatment rather than a replacement for standard depression therapies, advising consultation with healthcare providers before use.
- Larger, well-controlled clinical trials are needed to determine which patients may benefit most and to clarify creatine’s role in depression care.
