Creatine Supplements Show Promise for Treating Depression, Study Finds
A systematic review published in Brain Medicine on June 30, 2026, found that creatine monohydrate may help reduce symptoms of depression in some patients. Researchers from the University of Ottawa and the University of Toronto analyzed five clinical trials involving 238 participants. Results were mixed, with two trials showing clear benefits and three showing no meaningful effect.
Researchers from the University of Ottawa and the University of Toronto published a systematic review in Brain Medicine on June 30, 2026, examining whether creatine monohydrate could help treat depression. The review covered five randomized controlled trials with 238 total participants.
Two of the five trials showed clear benefits. In one, women with major depressive disorder who added 5 grams of creatine daily to the antidepressant escitalopram showed greater symptom reduction and higher remission rates than those taking a placebo. A second study found benefits when creatine was combined with cognitive behavioral therapy.
The other three trials found no meaningful effect. These included a study on treatment-resistant depression, a trial involving adolescent girls, and a study focused on patients with bipolar disorder in a depressive episode.
Researchers believe creatine may help by supporting brain energy metabolism. Impaired mitochondrial function and energy production are increasingly linked to mood disorders, and creatine plays a role in how cells produce and store energy.
One safety concern emerged from the bipolar disorder trial. Two participants developed hypomania or mania after taking creatine. Because bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed, clinicians warned that unsupervised use could trigger manic episodes in people who do not know they have the condition.
Lead researcher Bassam Jeryous Fares said the current data is limited by small sample sizes and a heavy focus on female participants. Dosages across the trials ranged from 2 to 10 grams per day. Larger, more diverse trials are needed before creatine can be recommended as a depression treatment.
Doctors emphasized that creatine should not replace established treatments like therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes including exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
