A recent scientific review has shown that creatine supplementation, widely known for its role in enhancing athletic performance and building muscle, may have potential benefits in improving symptoms of depression when used alongside traditional treatments. However, researchers emphasized that the current evidence is still preliminary and insufficient to endorse it as an independent treatment.

The study's results were published in the journal Brain Medicine by Genomic Press, where researchers from the University of Ottawa in Canada analyzed data from five randomized clinical trials to assess the impact of creatine monohydrate on patients with depressive disorders.

Four studies included patients suffering from major depression, while the fifth study focused on patients with bipolar disorder experiencing a depressive episode.

One trial showed that women with depression who took 5 grams of creatine daily alongside the antidepressant escitalopram experienced greater improvement after eight weeks compared to traditional treatment alone. Another study revealed improvement in patients when creatine was added to cognitive behavioral therapy.

In contrast, two studies conducted on teenage girls showed no significant improvement after using different doses of creatine for eight weeks, and the study involving bipolar disorder patients did not demonstrate a clear benefit from adding 6 grams daily of the supplement to their medication regimen.

Researchers believe that creatine may affect depression by enhancing energy production within brain cells, as previous studies indicate that individuals with mood disorders experience changes in how creatine is metabolized in the brain. It is also thought to contribute to enhancing dopamine and serotonin activity, two neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation that are targeted by most antidepressants.

However, the study's authors confirmed that this relationship remains correlational and not causal, and that depression is a complex illness influenced by a multitude of biological and psychological factors.

The lead researcher, Bassam Grious Fares, a medical student at the University of Ottawa, stated that the results are "interesting but not conclusive," explaining that two studies showed positive results, while three other studies did not confirm this benefit, highlighting the need for larger and more precise research.

For his part, Nicholas Fabiano, a psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa, clarified that creatine has a good safety record, with the most notable side effects being mild stomach aches. However, he stressed that "it cannot yet be definitively stated that it improves depression symptoms for all patients."

For her part, Dr. Thea Gallagher, a psychologist and director of wellness programs at NYU Langone Health, noted that creatine may represent a promising addition to current treatments, but it should not replace psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, exercise, or healthy sleep.

She emphasized that the supplement may be a helpful option for some patients, but more large-scale studies are needed to determine the most beneficial groups and optimal doses, stressing the importance of consulting a doctor before using it, especially for kidney patients, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses.