Does magnesium help reduce anxiety?

Magnesium is an essential mineral found in the body. It plays an important role in helping parts of the body run smoothly, including the heart, bones, muscles and nerves.

It also supports the neurological mechanisms that, when not working properly, may contribute to the development of mental health issues like depression and anxiety¹. For example, magnesium helps to regulate neurotransmitters, which sends messages throughout the brain and body.

Magnesium may also be beneficial because it affects the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body. Lowering cortisol may help to relieve stress and anxiety².

Some studies have found a link between magnesium and anxiety, but the research is mixed. A systematic review of 32 studies found that people with depression and other psychiatric conditions, like anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, were more likely to have lower magnesium levels³. It also found that magnesium had some benefits on mild depression and anxiety, but not generalised anxiety disorder or panic disorder.

A separate review of research papers found that magnesium supplementation - for example, taking magnesium in the form of capsules - appeared to ease symptoms of mild anxiety and anxiety linked to premenstrual syndrome⁴. According to the researchers, this may be because magnesium helps to improve brain function. However, they also highlighted that many of the studies they looked at were of poor quality - including being based on unreliable self-reporting - so better research involving controlled trials is needed.

Psychiatrist Gregory Scott Brown, an affiliate faculty member at the University of Texas Dell Medical School and author of The Self-Healing Mind, says that while there is some research looking into the relationship between magnesium and mental health, it hasn't proven anything. And as always, caution should be used when it comes to health advice on TikTok.

We need to be careful about getting medical advice from social media platforms, including TikTok because there's a lot of misinformation on these sites and the science isn't always accurately reflected," he says.

"It helps when the person on social media discussing a new medication or supplement has experience working with patients, is a qualified health professional, and has expertise in the field," he adds. "However, even in these cases, sometimes inaccurate information can spread broadly. Always discuss medications or supplements with your doctor when you can."

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Can magnesium help improve sleep?

Research has found a connection between magnesium supplementation and sleep quality, but like the anxiety research, the studies don't show a cause-and-effect relationship. In other words, there may be a link, but it doesn't mean that taking magnesium will give you a better night's sleep.

One review found that magnesium may help people fall asleep slightly quicker, but didn't find that people slept any longer than normal⁵. Another study of 4,000 people found that taking magnesium led to a borderline improvement in sleep quality, but not in people with depression⁶.

What types of magnesium are available?

Magnesium is available in a variety of different types, some of which are more easily absorbed by the body than others.

Magnesium citrate

This type of magnesium, which is commonly found in supplements, is bound with citric acid. It is easily absorbed by the body via the digestive tract and is sometimes used to treat constipation because it has a laxative effect.

Magnesium glycinate

Magnesium glycinate is formed by combining magnesium with the amino acid glycine. Research suggests that glycine may help improve sleep⁷.

Magnesium malate

This type combines magnesium with malic acid, which is found in fruits like rhubarb. Studies suggest it is more easily absorbed by the body than other supplements⁸.

Magnesium taurate

This type contains a combination of magnesium and taurine, an amino acid with anti-inflammatory properties.

Magnesium threonate

Magnesium threonate contains threonic acid, a compound that is produced from the breakdown of vitamin C.

What foods are high in magnesium?

Some good food sources of magnesium include: Almonds, avocados, bananas, breakfast cereals, brown rice, peanuts, leafy greens like spinach, beans, tuna and yoghurt.

How to treat anxiety

The two main treatments for anxiety are psychotherapy and medications. Some people may find the two work best in combination with each other, but it depends on the individual and their needs. If you are struggling with anxiety, you should speak to your doctor who can advise the best course of treatment for you.

Further reading

1. Kirkland et al: The role of magnesium in neurological disorders.
2. Sartori et al: Magnesium deficiency induces anxiety and HPA axis dysregulation: Modulation by therapeutic drug treatment.
3. Botturi et al: The role and the effect of magnesium in mental disorders - A systematic review.
4. Boyle et al: The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress - A systematic review.
5. Mah et al: Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults - a systematic review and meta-analysis.
6. Zhang et al: Association of magnesium intake with sleep duration and sleep quality - findings from the CARDIA study.
7. Bannai et al: New therapeutic strategy for amino acid medicine - Glycine improves the quality of sleep.
8. Uysal et al: Timeline (bioavailability) of magnesium compounds in hours: Which magnesium compound works best?