Although it can lead to hypermagnesemia and diarrhea, magnesium supplementation is, in general, a safe treatment with few unanticipated side effects. Magnesium supplementation provides quick results. Case studies of magnesium supplementation reported improvements in depression, anxiety, and sleep within 1 week.
These improvements were seen in just two weeks of supplementation and occurred regardless of whether participants were taking depression medications. Although the results were promising, there were a few limitations to this study.
It's thought magnesium helps maintain the neurotransmitters in our brain related to moods. American researchers discovered that when people were given 125-300 mg of magnesium with each meal and at bedtime, they reported improved symptoms of major depression in less than seven days.
One study reported magnesium glycinate an effective treatment for major depression. 3 Participants recovered from major depression in less than seven days of taking 125-300 mg of magnesium glycinate.
Generally speaking, however, it typically takes a day or two to start feeling the calming effects of magnesium. It also depends on the type of magnesium supplement you are taking. If you're taking a supplement that contains a lot of magnesium oxide, it will take longer to work, as it has a low absorption rate.
Magnesium blocks the actions of glutamate in the NMDA receptors. If your body is magnesium deficient, it means that few of the NMDA receptors are blocked. This may lead to overexcitation and cell damage. Because of this, it is possible that magnesium may be useful in the treatment and prevention of depression.
Magnesium is an important mineral that helps maintain a healthy mood. Low levels of magnesium are associated with fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Research shows that adults, as well as children, don't get enough magnesium and that this may be linked to climbing rates of mood and mental health problems.
Stress And Anxiety Relief
Magnesium may be the “chill pill” you need. Magnesium plays a role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), our stress response system, and deficiencies in the mineral have been shown to induce anxiety and HPA axis dysregulation in an animal model.
The good news is that some studies (study links, a and b) have identified how magnesium may ease certain symptoms of stress and anxiety. Here are the facts: Magnesium may help to control the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain, resulting in a calming effect on the body.
In large doses, magnesium could interfere with normal digestion, causing some abdominal discomfort or loose stools. However, these symptoms are only associated with excessive magnesium consumption. Under normal circumstances, magnesium supplements shouldn't cause dramatic symptoms.
Conclusion: Administration of Mg supplement for at least 6 weeks might improve depression symptoms. It can also be considered as a potential adjunct treatment option for MDD patients who are under SSRI treatment.
"Serotonin and melatonin are crucial in determining your mood. Magnesium works as an important co-factor required for conversion of tryptophan (from proteins we get from food) to serotonin and melatonin, both of which help in falling asleep."
Magnesium effects the Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in the brain, which controls the stress response system and therefore, anxiety and depression. Tentative data indicate that oral magnesium supplementation may be effective for treating mild to moderate adult depression.
One way magnesium counters stress is by binding to and stimulating GABA receptors in the brain. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, one that slows brain activity. When GABA is low, your brain gets stuck in the “on” position and it becomes very hard to relax.
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
Hormones such as serotonin and melatonin are regulated by magnesium, which are key for boosting your mood and helping with sleep. Adversely, low levels of this crucial mineral can leave you feeling down and irritable.
Based on current data, magnesium taurate and glycinate have the most research supporting their effects on anxiety and other mental health disorders.
The time of day doesn't matter so much—it's the consistency of taking magnesium daily that matters most. While some recommend taking magnesium supplements right before bed (to calm your mind and nervous system, setting the stage for sleep), do what works best for you to ensure that it becomes a daily healthy habit.
Overall, if you are looking for a magnesium option that may provide the most calming and restful effect in the evening or using it for overall mood support, a magnesium glycinate may be your better option. In addition, you may see some anti-inflammatory support from the glycinate form as an added bonus!
Magnesium is important for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure and making protein, bone, and DNA.