Creatine: Difference between revisions

There have been suggestions since the early 1980s that creatine metabolism or availability might have antidepressive effects, based on numerous studies​​. Further investigations have assessed how creatine or its precursors like [[S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)|S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)]] and [[Guanidinoacetate (GAA)|guanidinoacetate (GAA)]], influence brain phosphagen levels, depression markers, or the effectiveness of antidepressant medications​. For instance, SAMe has been found to be a viable treatment for clinical depression. In one study, SAMe supplementation led to increased brain creatine and phosphocreatine (PCr) levels, with a more pronounced effect in women compared to men​. {{#pmid:33572884|pmid33572884}}

Animal studies have also shown potential antidepressive effects of creatine. In one study, female rats displayed an antidepressant-like response when fed creatine diets, and in another, a single treatment of creatine or exercise showed partial antidepressant effects in mice under chronic mild stress, with combined creatine and exercise yielding greater benefits​. Creatine administration also abolished corticosterone-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice in a separate study​. {{#pmid:33572884|pmid33572884}}

In human trials, some support has been found for creatine's effect on depression. For instance, a study found a significant negative relationship between dietary creatine intake and depression among adults in the U.S​​. Another study reported improved outcomes in a small sample of patients with unipolar depression following creatine monohydrate supplementation​​. Moreover, creatine supplementation was found to enhance remission rates in bipolar patients in a couple of studies, with one noting improved verbal fluency tests and the other highlighting enhanced remission MADRS scores in participants who completed the study​. {{#pmid:33572884|pmid33572884}}

Although more research is needed, there is some evidence suggesting that creatine may help manage some types of depression and/or anxiety disorders, particularly when combined with choline​​. This indicates that creatine supplementation might be a supportive measure for mental health. {{#pmid:33572884|pmid33572884}}