Creatine is all sorts of good for you

[shpalman]

People who do weight training often take it, but I also saw something about it helping with cognitive function https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2018.04.013

Liverdoc posted this (not new) work:

https://x.com/theliverdr/status/1884123 ... KSJKw&s=19

Creatine is one supplement that is actually useful (and quite safe) - also in specific situations.

In this new study (which requires further replication/validation) researchers found that adding 5g of creatine supplement to patients with severe depression already on antidepressant medications greatly reduced/improved depression symptoms and quality of life.

Creatine increased energy stores in the brain impacted by depression to improve mental health. It did so by increasing phosphocreatine levels inside the brain and repleting energy stores.

Very cool study. A lot of new direction to use this natural supplement in special population to improve quality of life.

https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.117 ... 2.12010009

[shpalman]

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

An open access article, European Neuropsychopharmacology. Volume 90, January 2025, Pages 28-35

This hypothesis-generating trial suggests that creatine could be a useful and safe supplement to CBT for depression. Longer and larger clinical trials are warranted.

[shpalman]

Does one dose of creatine supplementation fit all?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aehs.2024.05.002

Seems like quite large amounts are needed to make a difference in the brain because "the capacity to uptake creatine from the circulation appears to be limited due to a low surface density of specific creatine transporter (SLC6A8) at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) microcapillaries."