Creatine shows mixed results in depression studies, scientists urge caution
5 reported1 unconfirmed
A new systematic review published in Brain Medicine examined whether the popular sports supplement creatine could help treat depression by supporting the brain's energy needs. Researchers led by Bassam Jeryous Fares of the University of Ottawa analyzed five randomized clinical trials involving 238 participants from South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Israel, and India. The review found mixed results: two studies involving women with major depressive disorder reported that adding creatine to standard treatment improved symptoms, while three other trials found no meaningful benefit. Two participants with bipolar disorder who received creatine developed hypomania or mania, raising a safety concern. The researchers stress the evidence is too limited to support routine use and call for larger, longer trials. This story is based on a single source, Genomic Press, and has not been independently cross-referenced.
What’s reported
The review analyzed five randomized controlled trials with 238 participants (126 received creatine, 112 received placebo).
Two trials, both involving women with major depressive disorder, found creatine added to standard treatment improved symptoms.
Three trials found no meaningful benefit from creatine for depression.
Two participants with bipolar disorder who received creatine developed hypomania or mania.
The review was published in Brain Medicine on June 30, 2026, and led by Bassam Jeryous Fares of the University of Ottawa.
Open questions
Whether creatine reliably helps with depressive symptoms or if findings are generalizable to everyone.
Key figures
Bassam Jeryous Fares: first author of the review, student in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa.
Nicholas Fabiano: corresponding author, psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa.
Sources: ScienceDaily
