From the Desk of a Doctor Newsletter
🧠 Brain Fuel for Mood: Creatine Shows Promise as an Adjunct Treatment for Depression
Depression isn’t just a disorder of mood — it’s increasingly understood as a disorder of brain energy.
And a supplement long associated with muscle may play a surprising role in restoring it.
A 2025 randomized, double-blind trial published in European Neuropsychopharmacology (PMID: 39488067) found that 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per day, taken for 8 weeks, significantly improved depressive symptoms beyond placebo in adults undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Creatine didn’t replace therapy — it enhanced it.
The Study:
Researchers enrolled adults with major depressive disorder who were not taking antidepressants and randomized them to receive either creatine (5 g/day) or placebo, alongside low-intensity CBT.
The Findings:
✅ 5.12-point greater reduction in depression severity scores compared to CBT + placebo
✅ Improvements were clinically meaningful, not just statistically significant
✅ No significant adverse effects, supporting safety and tolerability
Why this may work:
Creatine plays a direct role in brain energy metabolism, supporting ATP production via the creatine–phosphate system — a pathway thought to be impaired in depression.
In addition, creatine has been shown to:
• Support dopamine and serotonin signaling
• Modulate NMDA receptor activity
• Reduce oxidative stress
• Increase BDNF, a key factor in neuroplasticity and emotional resilience
Low brain creatine levels have been associated with impaired bioenergetics and mood dysregulation — making supplementation a biologically plausible strategy.
Why this matters:
Creatine is inexpensive, widely available, and well-studied from a safety standpoint. While it is not a replacement for therapy or medication, this study suggests it may be a useful adjunct, particularly for individuals seeking non-pharmacologic support or in resource-limited settings.
Takeaway:
Creatine isn’t just muscle fuel. It may also support brain energy and mood, enhancing the effectiveness of evidence-based psychological therapy.
— Dr. Myro Figura
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About the Author
I’m Dr. Myro, a board-certified doctor and med school educator who somehow ended up with over 6 million followers watching my science videos on
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I’ve published 60+ scientific abstracts and even written a book, but this newsletter is my favorite project. Here I get to share the good stuff — simple, actionable health tips delivered twice a week. Happy to have you here.
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