{"id":19466,"date":"2024-08-26T15:40:22","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T15:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dixsupps-v2.local\/creatine-much-more-than-a-supplement-for-athletes-a-hope-for-depressed-individuals\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T17:36:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T17:36:05","slug":"creatine-and-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/creatine-and-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"Creatine: much more than a supplement for athletes, a hope for depressed individuals"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"dix-script\" id=\"dix-script-21826\" data-script-id=\"21826\" data-type=\"quiz\" data-subtype=\"\" data-config='{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;quiz&quot;,&quot;subtype&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;questions&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;How many people suffer from depression worldwide according to WHO?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;50 million&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;150 million&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;More than 300 million&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;1 billion&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;WHO estimates that more than 300 million people suffer from depression worldwide, which is about 4.4% of the global population.&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;What percentage of patients stop their antidepressant in the first 3 months?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;10%&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;25%&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;44%&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;75%&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;About 44% of patients stop their antidepressant in the first 3 months. This figure rises to 75% after 6 months, often due to side effects such as nausea, weight gain, or sexual disorders.&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;How is depression assessed in laboratory mice?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;We observe their appetite&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;By a forced swim test&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;We measure their heart rate&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;By a maze test&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;The forced swim test is a classic test for assessing depression in rodents. Mice receiving creatine swim longer and seem more motivated, indicating an improvement in their condition.&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;What did the study by Lyoo (2012) demonstrate about creatine and depression?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Creatine effectively replaces antidepressants&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Creatine has no effect on mood&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Creatine accelerates the improvement of symptoms in addition to an antidepressant&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Creatine worsens the side effects of antidepressants&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;The study by Lyoo and his team showed that depressed women taking creatine in addition to their antidepressant saw their symptoms improve much more quickly than those on antidepressant alone.&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;By what main mechanism would creatine act against depression?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;By directly increasing serotonin levels&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;By supporting the brain\\u0027s energy metabolism&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;By reducing cortisol levels&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;By improving sleep quality&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;Creatine supports brain energy metabolism. Neurotransmitters related to mood regulation need energy to function, and creatine plays a neuroprotective role by maintaining these energy levels.&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;What dosage range of creatine was used in studies on depression?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;1 to 2 grams per day&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;3 to 10 grams per day&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;15 to 20 grams per day&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Less than 1 gram per day&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;Studies used between 3 and 10 grams per day. This is higher than the usual sports dosage (5g max). Therapeutic use always requires medical supervision.&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Can creatine replace antidepressant treatment?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Yes, it is a proven natural alternative&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Yes, but only for mild cases&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;No, it is a potential supplement to be evaluated with a doctor&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;No, it has no effect on depression&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;Creatine does not replace antidepressants. It could be a promising supplement, but this must be evaluated by a healthcare professional. One should never stop an antidepressant treatment without medical advice.&quot;}],&quot;scoring&quot;:null,&quot;results&quot;:{&quot;high&quot;:{&quot;minPercent&quot;:80,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Unbeatable!&quot;,&quot;message&quot;:&quot;You master the subject of creatine and depression. You have probably already dug into the issue!&quot;},&quot;medium&quot;:{&quot;minPercent&quot;:50,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Good foundations!&quot;,&quot;message&quot;:&quot;You know the main points. The article will reveal some surprising details.&quot;},&quot;low&quot;:{&quot;minPercent&quot;:0,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;To discover!&quot;,&quot;message&quot;:&quot;Creatine against depression, does it surprise you? The article will show you what science really says about it.&quot;}},&quot;recommendations&quot;:null,&quot;keyPoints&quot;:[{&quot;icon&quot;:&quot;\\ud83e\\udde0&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Creatine supports brain energy metabolism&quot;},{&quot;icon&quot;:&quot;\\u26a1&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Faster improvement of symptoms in addition to an antidepressant&quot;},{&quot;icon&quot;:&quot;\\ud83d\\udc8a&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Study dosage: 3 to 10g\\\/day under medical supervision&quot;},{&quot;icon&quot;:&quot;\\u26a0\\ufe0f&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Does not replace treatment, always consult a doctor&quot;}],&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Creatine and depression: what do you really know?&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;7 questions to test your knowledge about the link between creatine and depression before diving into the article&quot;,&quot;causes&quot;:null,&quot;diagnosticResults&quot;:null,&quot;intro&quot;:null}'><div class=\"dix-script__container quiz-container\"><div class=\"quiz__header\"><h3 class=\"dix-script__title\">Creatine and depression: what do you really know?<\/h3><div class=\"quiz__progress-wrapper\"><div class=\"quiz__progress-text\"><span class=\"quiz__progress-current\">1<\/span> \/ 7<\/div><div class=\"dix-script__progress\"><div class=\"dix-script__progress-bar\" style=\"width: 0%\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"quiz__question\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"color: revert; font-size: revert; font-weight: revert; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\">Depression: a modern plague to fight against?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Do you constantly feel sad, lacking energy, and nothing seems to motivate you? You are not alone. <strong>Depression<\/strong> is a real public health issue affecting millions of people worldwide, and if it doesn&#8217;t affect you personally, there&#8217;s a high chance it affects someone close to you. But what exactly is depression?<\/p>\n    <div class=\"dix-youtube-wrapper\">\n        <iframe\n            src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0wsEoc6f_aE?rel=0\"\n            title=\"YouTube video\"\n            frameborder=\"0\"\n            allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\"\n            allowfullscreen\n            loading=\"lazy\"\n        ><\/iframe>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<h3><b>Understanding Depression<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Depression is much more than just a passing blues or even a slump. It is a true <strong>mood disorder<\/strong> that affects how you think, feel, and act daily to the point of leaving you apathetic without wanting to do anything. Imagine yourself in a dark well, with no ladder to climb out. That&#8217;s a bit like depression.<\/p>\n<p>According to the World Health Organization, more than 300 million people suffer from it worldwide. It&#8217;s colossal, isn&#8217;t it? That represents about 4.4% of the global population. It&#8217;s safe to say it&#8217;s a problem we can&#8217;t ignore.<\/p>\n<h3><b>The Limits of Current Treatments<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>So, how is depression treated today? Well, we mainly rely on antidepressants and psychotherapy. It works, you might say. Yes, but\u2026 <i>(and here&#8217;s where it gets tricky)<\/i><\/p>\n<p>The problem is that these treatments have their limits:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Antidepressants can take weeks to work, and many studies show that patients generally do not complete the treatment (about 30% stop in the first month, 44% within the first 3 months, and 75% within 6 months)<\/li>\n<li>They can have unpleasant side effects. Nausea, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction are some of the reasons why they are also discontinued<\/li>\n<li>Approximately one-third of patients do not respond to conventional treatments. This is referred to as <strong>treatment-resistant depression<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This is where we think maybe we should look for other solutions. And what if the answer lies in a dietary supplement well-known to athletes? We&#8217;re talking, of course, about creatine. Intrigued? Let&#8217;s take a closer look at this.<\/p>\n<h2>Creatine against Depression: What Do Clinical Trials Say?<\/h2>\n<h3><b>Research on Mice<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Studies on our little friends, the mice <i>(yes, they too can be depressed, poor things)<\/i> have shown astonishing results.<\/p>\n<p>When creatine is given to these depressed little creatures, what happens? They perk up! They swim longer in forced swim tests <i>(a classic test to evaluate depression in rodents, don&#8217;t worry, we don&#8217;t drown them)<\/i> and seem more motivated. It&#8217;s like they&#8217;ve been given a boost!<\/p>\n<div class=\"dix-script\" id=\"dix-script-21825\" data-script-id=\"21825\" data-type=\"calculator\" data-subtype=\"\" data-config='{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;calculator&quot;,&quot;subtype&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'><div class=\"dix-script__container\"><!-- Textes traduisibles (cach\u00e9s) -->\r\n<div class=\"dix-script__hidden\">\r\n    <span data-t=\"title\">Creatine and depression: your dose<\/span>\r\n    <span data-t=\"description\">Estimate the therapeutic dose used in clinical studies on depression<\/span>\r\n    <span data-t=\"label_weight\">Weight<\/span>\r\n    <span data-t=\"unit_kg\">kg<\/span>\r\n    <span data-t=\"results_title\">Clinical study dose<\/span>\r\n    <span data-t=\"unit_g\">g\/day<\/span>\r\n    <span data-t=\"info_text\">Studies on creatine and depression have used between 3 and 10 g\/day depending on the patient's weight, under medical supervision.<\/span>\r\n    <span data-t=\"timing\"><strong>Intake:<\/strong> To be divided into 2-3 doses throughout the day, preferably during meals.<\/span>\r\n    <span data-t=\"recommendation\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> These dosages are from clinical studies under medical supervision. Do not self-medicate: consult your doctor before any therapeutic supplementation.<\/span>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"calculator__layout\">\r\n\r\n    <!-- Colonne Inputs -->\r\n    <div class=\"calculator__panel calculator__panel--inputs\">\r\n        <div class=\"calculator__header\">\r\n            <h3 class=\"calculator__title\" id=\"creatdep-title\"><\/h3>\r\n            <p class=\"calculator__description\" id=\"creatdep-description\"><\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <!-- Poids -->\r\n        <div class=\"calculator__label-row\">\r\n            <label class=\"calculator__label\" for=\"creatdep-weight\" id=\"creatdep-label-weight\"><\/label>\r\n            <span class=\"calculator__label-value\" id=\"creatdep-weight-display\"><\/span>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <input type=\"range\" id=\"creatdep-weight\" class=\"calculator__range\" min=\"45\" max=\"120\" value=\"70\" step=\"1\">\r\n\r\n        <!-- Info -->\r\n        <div class=\"calculator__info\">\r\n            <svg class=\"calculator__info-icon\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\"><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"10\" \/><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"16\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"12\" \/><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"8\" x2=\"12.01\" y2=\"8\" \/><\/svg>\r\n            <p class=\"calculator__info-text\" id=\"creatdep-info\"><\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <!-- Colonne R\u00e9sultats -->\r\n    <div class=\"calculator__panel calculator__panel--results\">\r\n        <h4 class=\"calculator__results-title\" id=\"creatdep-results-title\"><\/h4>\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"calculator__result-main\">\r\n            <span class=\"calculator__result-value\" id=\"creatdep-result\">--<\/span>\r\n            <span class=\"calculator__result-unit\" id=\"creatdep-unit\"><\/span>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"calculator__interpretation\" id=\"creatdep-details\">\r\n            <p id=\"creatdep-timing\"><\/p>\r\n            <p id=\"creatdep-recommendation\"><\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p>This calculator is a simplified version of our <a href=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/what-dose-of-creatine-per-day\/\">complete daily creatine calculator<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>But Also on Humans<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Mice are great, but humans are what we&#8217;re interested in here.<\/p>\n<p>A study conducted by Lyoo and his team in 2012 made quite a splash. They gave <strong>creatine to depressed women<\/strong> in addition to their usual antidepressant. The result? A much faster improvement in symptoms than in those who only took the antidepressant. Encouraging, isn&#8217;t it?<\/p>\n<p>Other studies followed, with similar results. Sometimes even with results that make you dream, imagine, <strong>positive effects were even seen in depressed teenagers who did not respond well to conventional treatments<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s recap:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A <strong>faster mood improvement<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Better response to antidepressants<\/li>\n<li>Fewer side effects than with antidepressants alone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>How Does Creatine Fight Depression?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>As previously explained, creatine supports the brain&#8217;s energy metabolism by influencing the functioning of neurotransmitters related to mood regulation. If your mood is regulated, you avoid the ups and downs. These neurotransmitters need energy to maintain all the neurochemical reactions in the brain, and creatine seems to be the perfect supplement to maintain these levels. Indeed, research tends to show that there is a link between creatine intake and the stimulation of cognitive functions, improvement of brain functions, and reduction of depression thanks to a neuroprotective role.<\/p>\n<p>But where researchers are still stuck is in knowing the real reason, what exactly does creatine do to these parts of our brain that improves mood. Without this answer, we can&#8217;t pop the champagne and propose creatine on a large scale as a solution.<\/p>\n<h3><b>How Much Creatine to Take When Depressed?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>In most studies, between 3 and 10 grams per day were used. As a reminder, since creatine is mainly used by athletes, it is very rare to exceed a dose of 5 grams. You will notice that in the case of therapeutic use, the doses can be much higher.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, the study protocol looks like this:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A <strong>loading phase<\/strong> with a higher dose for a few days<\/li>\n<li>Then a <strong>maintenance phase<\/strong> with a lower dose over several weeks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<p>You can also take a daily dose of 3 to 5 grams of creatine for a month to gradually saturate your muscles and brain with phosphocreatine. (Creatine should be taken daily)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>But be careful, don&#8217;t dive headfirst into self-medication! These studies were conducted under medical supervision. If you&#8217;re considering trying creatine to combat depression, talk to your doctor first.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Creatine-1.webp\" alt=\"Cr\u00e9atine et D\u00e9pression\" width=\"1456\" height=\"816\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2>Creatine: an alternative to traditional antidepressants?<\/h2>\n<div>Creatine cannot replace antidepressants for diagnosed patients. Creatine might offer a more natural alternative or complement, but this must be evaluated by a healthcare professional.<\/div>\n<p>Be aware that this supplement might have some surprising benefits! However, it is important to note that you should never stop your antidepressant treatment without discussing it with your doctor.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Side effects?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Unlike traditional antidepressants that can sometimes make you feel like you&#8217;re on a roller coaster, creatine is discreet. Say goodbye to nausea, weight gain, or sleep disturbances! <i>(Phew, we keep our libido intact!)<\/i> Most people tolerate creatine very well, which is a big plus when you&#8217;re already feeling down.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/depression-apres.webp\" alt=\"Visage souriant\" width=\"1456\" height=\"816\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2>How about starting with the muscles?<\/h2>\n<p>Before jumping into creatine as an anti-depression remedy, why not try it first to boost your muscles? Because <a href=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/what-are-the-positive-effects-of-creatine\/\"><strong>even though it is known for several benefits<\/strong><\/a>, it is primarily known for muscles. After all, that&#8217;s where it first proved itself!<\/p>\n<p>At DIX, our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/product\/buy-creatine-monohydrate\/\">Creapure<\/a>\u00ae<\/strong> labeled creatine monohydrate is a solid 10\/10. We don&#8217;t joke with quality: each batch is tested to ensure maximum purity for you.<\/p>\n<p>And the best part? It tastes amazing! <i>(Well, for those who choose the flavored version, of course.)<\/i> Imagine: you&#8217;re taking care of your muscles while enjoying a treat. Not bad, right?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creatine, known for its effects on bodybuilding, could be an unexpected ally against depression. Discover the promising studies, the mechanisms of action, and the precautions to take.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7283,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","rank_math_title":"Can creatine help with depression?","rank_math_description":"Creatine could be an unexpected ally against depression. Discover the promising studies, the mechanisms of action, and the precautions to take.","rank_math_canonical_url":"","rank_math_robots":null,"rank_math_focus_keyword":"Creatine"},"categories":[67,365],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-recherche","category-research"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/depression-avant.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19466"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19466\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21827,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19466\/revisions\/21827"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}