Brain areas associated with anxiety include the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (Abumaria et al., 2011). Under normal, healthy circumstances, magnesium “stands at the gate”, inhibiting stimulation of receptors in brain regions associated with anxiety (Lezhitsa et al., 2011).
Magnesium plays two important roles in the brain, which may contribute to these symptoms: It blocks the activity of more stimulating neurotransmitters and binds to calming receptors, resulting in a more peaceful, resting state.
Magnesium Puts The Breaks on the Intrusive Thoughts
In terms of neurotransmitters and mental health, magnesium inhibits the release of excitatory neurotransmitters and can increase feel good brain chemicals such as serotonin.
As you're probably coming to understand, magnesium is essential for healthy brain and nervous system function; this also includes attention and focus.
Medical research has linked magnesium to reduced anxiety. Magnesium helps you to relax by stimulating the production of melatonin and serotonin which boost your mood and help you sleep. Magnesium also reduces the production of cytokines and cortisol, which lead to increased inflammation and stress.
Other research from 2017, appearing in the journal PLoS One , found that a 6-week course of magnesium chloride led to a significant reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms.
If you take magnesium as a supplement, studies that showed that magnesium can have anti-anxiety effects generally used dosages of between 75 and 360 mg a day, according to the 2017 review.
“Magnesium is essential for brain function and acts on NMDA receptors in the brain which help brain development, learning and memory. It also helps with fatigue, tension, anxiety, mood, sleep and healthy functioning of the entire nervous system”.
Magnesium glycinate is often used for its calming effects to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Only magnesium L-threonate increases brain magnesium levels, even when compared to magnesium citrate, glycinate, gluconate, malate, and chloride. Boosting brain magnesium levels, particularly with the use of magnesium L-threonate, may have profound benefits on mood.
Magnesium begins to take effect after one week of consistent supplementation.
Research shows that supplemental magnesium can be helpful in stabilizing the mood. It may aid in reducing the symptoms people experience when they have mild-to-moderate depression or when they have mild-to-moderate anxiety.
Neurotransmitter release
—Magnesium helps maintain the activity of stimulating neurotransmitters like glutamate and binds to calming receptors in the brain, helping increase GABA activity (the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain), promoting relaxed feelings and a more peaceful mental state.
Notably, magnesium reduces epinephrine and nor- epinephrine synthesis and release, decreases anxiety and could prevent the panic attacks. Magnesium deficiency, even when mild, increases susceptibility to various types of neurologic and psychological stressors in healthy human subjects and diverse groups of patients.
How can magnesium affect our GABA levels? One of the key benefits of magnesium is that it increases our gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels. The magnesium binds to and stimulates GABA receptors in the brain, which puts the brakes on brain activity.
Magnesium was found usually effective for treatment of depression in general use.
Magnesium deficiency can lead to mental health symptoms like apathy and lack of emotion. In severe cases, it can cause delirium and coma. Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency may be associated with depression and anxiety.
The claimed benefits of magnesium supplementation range from boosts in everyday wellness — better sleep, increased energy levels and improved mood — to specific health benefits, such as lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease and improvement in migraines.
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.
Too much magnesium from foods isn't a concern for healthy adults. However, the same can't be said for supplements. High doses of magnesium from supplements or medications can cause nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea.
Remember magnesium will help lower cortisol, if you do not have adequate levels of magnesium your body cannot relax and remove excess cortisol. Start by taking some at diner and before bed.
The Best Time to Take Magnesium is Every Day
So, not only is it safe to take magnesium every day, you should be taking it daily. Natural Calm is 100% safe to take daily. Luckily, taking Natural Calm magnesium is easy — and delicious!
Magnesium supplements should be taken with meals. Taking magnesium supplements on an empty stomach may cause diarrhea.