The Claim

In adults with moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 ≥15), the addition of 5 grams per day of oral creatine monohydrate to 8 weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy results in a mean reduction in depression symptoms that is 5.12 points greater on the PHQ-9 scale compared to placebo plus cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Source: Efficacy and safety profile of oral creatine monohydrate in add-on to cognitive-behavioural therapy in depression: An 8-week pilot, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled feasibility and exploratory trial in an under-resourced area.

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
63score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Adults with moderate to severe depression who take 5 grams of creatine daily along with cognitive-behavioral therapy experience a 5.12-point greater reduction in depression symptoms on the PHQ-9 scale after 8 weeks than those who take a placebo with the same therapy.

See the scientific wording

In adults with moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 ≥15), adding 5 grams per day of oral creatine monohydrate to 8 weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy results in a mean reduction in depression symptoms that is 5.12 points greater on the PHQ-9 scale compared to placebo plus CBT, suggesting creatine may enhance the antidepressant effects of psychotherapy in this population.

Why this might work

Creatine increases the amount of usable energy in brain cells, which allows neurons to repair and rewire more effectively and maintain stable levels of mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Efficacy and safety profile of oral creatine monohydrate in add-on to cognitive-behavioural therapy in depression: An 8-week pilot, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled feasibility and exploratory trial in an under-resourced area.

    In a study with adults who had moderate to severe depression, those who took 5 grams of creatine daily along with therapy felt significantly better after 8 weeks than those who took a fake pill with the same therapy. The creatine group’s depression scores dropped more, and no more side effects happened.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

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