Creatine is well-known for its benefits in physical performance, but it also has notable effects on mental support and cognitive function. Here are some key insights based on current research:

Cognitive Performance

1. Energy Metabolism: Creatine plays a crucial role in brain energy metabolism by maintaining ATP levels, which is vital for cognitive processes¹.
2. Stress Resilience: Supplementing creatine has shown potential in improving cognitive performance under stressful conditions, such as sleep deprivation².

Mental Health Support

1. Depression: Creatine supplementation has demonstrated antidepressant effects. It can enhance the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for major depressive disorder³. Additionally, creatine has shown to alleviate symptoms of depression in individuals with methamphetamine dependence⁴.
2. Neuroprotection: Creatine reduces oxidative stress in the brain, which may contribute to neuroprotection in conditions like traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases⁵.

Neuroscientific Findings

1. Memory Enhancement: Creatine supplementation has been found to enhance working memory and improve performance on verbal and spatial memory tasks, especially in elderly individuals and vegetarians who have lower baseline levels of creatine⁶.
2. Neurogenesis: Research indicates that creatine can mitigate the decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis caused by chronic stress, thus potentially offering a protective effect against stress-induced mood disorders⁷.

Overall, creatine is emerging as a promising supplement not only for physical performance but also for enhancing cognitive function and supporting mental health.

Footnotes

1. Creatine and the Brain ↩

2. Creatine Supplementation and Brain Health ↩

3. Creatine for the Treatment of Depression ↩

4. Creatine as a Novel Treatment for Depression in Females Using Methamphetamine ↩

5. Creatine in Health and Disease ↩

6. Creatine Supplementation and Brain Health ↩

7. Regular exercise and creatine supplementation prevent chronic mild stress-induced decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis ↩