Does Magnesium Help With Anxiety? Here’s What Research Says

Anxiety is a serious issue that can affect both physical and mental health. Many people are turning to natural remedies to help alleviate their anxiety, including the mineral magnesium. So, does magnesium help with anxiety? Let’s find out.

In this article, we will explore the scientific evidence behind magnesium’s potential to reduce anxiety symptoms and how you can incorporate it into your routine. Read on to learn more about whether magnesium truly can be an effective treatment for anxiety.

What is Magnesium?

Magnesium is one of the essential minerals our bodies need to function. It’s no surprise, then, that magnesium supplements are one of the most popular nutritional and herbal supplements on the market.

Not only that, magnesium deficiency can contribute to an array of different health issues making magnesium supplements even more important to consider.

As magnesium fulfills so many critical roles in our body, it’s essential to ensure a healthy intake.

So, if you think magnesium might be missing from your lifestyle, it might be time to consider magnesium supplementation.

How Does Magnesium Affect Mental Health?

This vital mineral plays an important part in our overall health, and its effects on mental health are often underestimated.

Research has shown that magnesium plays a role in calming the nervous system and can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety.

Taking magnesium supplements or increasing magnesium consumption through diet can have a significant impact on helping to regulate anxiety levels and maintain mental well-being.

Magnesium for anxiety can be especially helpful when combined with other natural stress relievers such as yoga, meditation, and essential oils.

It’s important to consult a medical professional before beginning any magnesium supplementation plan.

Still, it might be worth looking into if you’re struggling with feelings of anxiousness and want to support your mental health naturally.

What are the Symptoms of Low Magnesium?

Magnesium deficiency and magnesium toxicity are both serious medical issues, so it’s important to understand the symptoms of magnesium levels that are too high or too low.

Low magnesium can cause a variety of physical and mental health issues, including nausea, weakness and fatigue, muscle cramps, and even poor coordination.

Additionally, magnesium plays an important role in regulating blood pressure, so some people with a magnesium deficiency may experience increased heart rate and high blood pressure as well.

A formal diagnosis of magnesium deficiency or excess is through testing your magnesium levels in either urine or blood samples.

If you believe that you may be suffering from magnesium issues, then it is best to speak with your doctor right away.

Here are a few of the most common symptoms of low magnesium:

Insomnia

Insomnia can be particularly devastating to your lifestyle, as it can cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating and remembering things, irritability, anxiety, and depression.

It can also lead to an increased risk of accidents due to sleep deprivation.

Anxiety

As mentioned above, anxiety can be a serious issue that affects both physical and mental health.

Low magnesium levels have been linked to increased feelings of anxiousness, so it’s important to make sure your mineral intake is balanced.

Muscle Pain and Cramping

Low levels of magnesium can also lead to muscle pain, cramping and tightness. This can make it difficult to exercise or perform your daily tasks in an uncomfortable state.

Depression

Depression and low energy levels can make it hard to stay in a positive state of mind. Low magnesium levels are known to increase irritability, making it even harder to focus on staying positive and relaxed.

How to Take Magnesium For Anxiety

Taking magnesium supplements for anxiety can be a useful tool to help manage anxiety-related disorders.

It has been shown in various studies that low magnesium levels can lead to increased anxiety and depression.

To get the best results from taking magnesium, it’s important to take the appropriate dose for each individual’s needs.

Magnesium supplements come in different forms such as pills, capsules, and powders that you can mix into food or drinks, so finding something that works for you should not be difficult.

It is also recommended that you start with smaller doses at first and gradually increase them over time to achieve the desired effects on anxiety.

What Are The Other Benefits Of Taking Magnesium?

Aside from its potential to help manage anxiety and depression, magnesium supplements can offer a range of other health benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of these fantastic benefits.

Better Sleep

As we’ve already mentioned, magnesium can help to regulate the nervous system and reduce anxiety levels. This can make it easier to relax and fall asleep at night, leading to better quality sleep.

Additionally, magnesium may help to reduce the symptoms of insomnia by regulating hormones responsible for providing restful sleep.

Reduced Pain

Magnesium is also known to have an analgesic effect, meaning it can help reduce pain in the body.

In fact, magnesium supplements are sometimes prescribed to those suffering from chronic pain or inflammation due to their ability to reduce swelling and tension in the muscles.

Migraine Treatment

Studies have also found that magnesium can help reduce the frequency of migraines.

Magnesium has been used to help treat migraine headaches by providing relief from pain, nausea, and vomiting associated with them.

Reduced Risk For Type 2 Diabetes

Magnesium helps regulate blood sugar levels, reducing your risk for type-2 diabetes. It also helps to improve insulin sensitivity and helps the body better process glucose.

Are There Side Effects of Magnesium?

It’s important to understand that like any other medication or supplement, there are potential side effects associated with taking magnesium.

Most people experience no or mild side effects when supplementing their magnesium intake.

If a higher-than-recommended dosage of magnesium is consumed, it can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping.

In some cases, more severe symptoms such as low blood pressure have been reported. If you take any other medications, you should seek professional advice in order to ensure the magnesium supplement won’t interfere.

How to Increase Your Magnesium Levels

Increasing your magnesium levels is a great way to improve overall health and well-being. There are several ways to do this, such as adding magnesium-rich foods to your diet.

You can also supplement with magnesium tablets or increase your intake with mineral-rich Epsom salt baths.

Foods That Are High in Magnesium

Here are some of the best magnesium-rich foods you can add to your diet:

• Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens)

• Nuts and seeds (almonds, sunflower seeds, cashews)

• Legumes (black beans, chickpeas)

• Fish (salmon, mackerel)

• Avocados

• Bananas

• Dark chocolate

• Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats)

• Yogurt

• Fruits (figs, raspberries, blackberries)

Taking the time to add more of these foods into your daily routine will help you reach optimal levels of magnesium and reap the benefits for a long time.

Not only does it allow for better sleep, a good mood, and improved concentration, but it may also reduce muscle soreness when used in tandem with exercise.

Types of Magnesium Supplements

In addition to foods high in magnesium, it can also be beneficial to take a supplement. It is important to check with your doctor before taking any supplements as they can interact with other medications.

Here are some of the most common types of magnesium supplements available on the market:

Magnesium Oxide

This form typically comes in capsule or tablet form and is easy to find in any health food store. It’s known for its laxative effects, which can help with digestion and constipation.

Magnesium Chloride

This type of magnesium supplement comes in a liquid form and is absorbed more quickly by the body than other forms. It also helps to support proper kidney function.

Magnesium Citrate

This form is available as a powder or capsule and helps to reduce muscle tension and relax the body. It has also been found to help with headaches, fatigue, and stress.

Magnesium Glycinate

This type of supplement is used to help with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It is also known to help with muscle cramps and migraines.

Magnesium Threonate

This supplement is often used to improve memory and cognitive function. It is also believed to help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

How Long Does it Take For Magnesium Supplements to Work?

The amount of time it takes for magnesium supplements to start working depends on the form taken and how much is taken.

Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks for the effects of magnesium to be seen.

It’s also worth noting that those who are deficient in magnesium may see more immediate results.

The Takeaway

There are a lot of benefits that come from getting enough magnesium into your diet and many people use magnesium for anxiety specifically because it’s so effective.

If you think you might be deficient in magnesium, taking supplements is a great way to avoid any potential health problems down the road.

And our clean-sourced magnesium products are some of the best on the market today. So, why not give them a try? You might just find that they make a world of difference for your overall health and well-being.

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