Creatine could support mental health.
What’s happening: A new study found that creatine supplementation can ease symptoms of depression, especially when complementing traditional treatments.
In an eight-week trial, participants taking 5g of creatine daily alongside SSRIs or CBT saw faster and greater improvements than placebo groups.
Brain gain. Best known for boosting muscle, creatine also fuels the brain by recycling ATP, the body’s cellular energy source. Because depression creates metabolic stress, the supplement’s bioenergetic support may help restore mental function.
A different Rx, with brain uptake being slower than muscle, higher doses or longer use may unlock greater benefits.
Stacked. Creatine’s potential goes beyond this trial.
- A 22K person study linked low dietary creatine intake to higher depression risk, especially in young women.
- In sleep-deprived individuals, creatine improved cognition and reversed energy deficits.
Looking ahead: Backed by science and rebranded for the mainstream, creatine is the new protein.
