When it comes to whether you can take both magnesium and melatonin at the same time, the short answer is yes. Since both supplements have different effects on the body, they can be combined for improved sleep quality. However, be careful not to exceed the recommended doses of either supplement.
If you are deficient in magnesium, taking a supplement may help relieve symptoms and improve sleep. If you don't have a magnesium deficiency, taking a low dose of melatonin — about 0.5 mg to 5 mg — is more likely to help you sleep.
Melatonin is a hormone that influences circadian rhythms, or the body's internal clock. Both melatonin and magnesium can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, but magnesium may be better at improving overall sleep quality.
Antibiotics: Taking magnesium supplements may reduce the absorption of quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics, and nitrofurantoin (Macrodandin). Magnesium should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking these medications. Quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics include: Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may lower levels of melatonin in the blood. Steroids and immunosuppressant medications. Melatonin may cause these medication to lose their effectiveness. DO NOT take melatonin with corticosteroids or other medications used to suppress the immune system.
Mixing melatonin with herbal remedies and supplements
Do not take any herbal remedies that make you feel sleepy while taking melatonin. They can increase the sedating effects of your medicine and make you feel much more drowsy.
Regardless of whether it truly helps with sleep or not, Dr. Ramkissoon doesn't recommend taking melatonin long-term.
Magnesium helps relax muscles and calm the brain, which can help you to sleep better. But, unlike melatonin, it won't actually make you drowsy or feel sleepy.
One study of older adults with insomnia found that magnesium supplementation at a dose of 500 milligrams daily for eight weeks helped them fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, reduced nighttime awakenings, and increased their levels of naturally circulating melatonin.
Umeda recommends taking the supplement about 30 minutes before bedtime. And don't take more than the recommended amount. More won't help you sleep better, but it may cause stomach upset. While magnesium might improve your slumber, it's no substitute for a good sleep routine, Dr.
When it comes to getting more sleep, magnesium provided an extra 15 minutes of sleep. Research on melatonin has found it provides 21 minutes more sleep than taking a placebo pill. Looking at the sum total – literally – there isn't too much difference between taking melatonin or magnesium.
“Essentially, magnesium helps set the stage for sleep by calming the body and preparing it to sleep,” says Harris. Melatonin, on the other hand, when taken directly, impacts your body's circadian rhythm and hormonal regulation of sleep.
What is the strongest sleep aid over the counter? Doxylamine is one of the strongest OTC sleep aids. It is an antihistamine.
“Magnesium is also thought to affect levels of melatonin, the hormone associated with when we fall asleep and when we wake up, known as our circadian rhythm,” Gurubhagavatula added. Magnesium can relax muscles and may help improve symptoms of restless legs in some people, she said.
The benefits of magnesium supplementation in healthy individuals aren't clear, but Dr. Nassar says that taking a magnesium supplement every day likely isn't unsafe for most people. Just be sure you're not taking too much magnesium. The maximum dietary allowance for most adults is around 400 mg or less.
Science has shown the benefits of taking Magnesium before bed can help you fall asleep faster, sleep more efficiently, and wake up more refreshed. A study found that participants who consumed 500 mg of Magnesium daily reported reduced insomnia, increased sleep quality, and improved early morning restfulness.
This high dosage, especially supplements with large doses of magnesium oxide, can cause a laxative effect, ironically keeping you up at night, rather than providing the sleep-inducing benefits it's well-known for.
Magnesium helps to reduce fatigue and exhaustion. The mineral plays an important role in maintaining normal nervous system activity. A magnesium deficiency can interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses. It may also reduce circulation.
Some people experience side effects with one form of magnesium, but not another. While glycinate is one of the highest quality forms, some people find that magnesium glycinate keeps them awake at night, but other types do not.
Most people overdo it with melatonin by taking upward of 10 milligrams or more prior to bed and then claim it doesn't work. Taking too much melatonin can actually cause rebound insomnia —either rendering the supplement ineffective or worse, exacerbating your already sleepless nights further.
Furthermore melatonin has been shown to have valuable effects on cardiovascular health, blood pressure, and endothelial function and it might benefit patients with heart failure.
If you plan on using melatonin to help you sleep, it's best to take it two or three hours before your bedtime. On the flip side, if you find yourself unable to sleep in the middle of the night, keep in mind that popping a melatonin at midnight won't necessarily have immediate results.
No interactions were found between Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc and melatonin. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Do not use melatonin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have an autoimmune disorder, a seizure disorder or depression. Talk to your health care provider if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
Vitamin B12 helps increase the body's production of melatonin, making it important for regulating sleep-wake cycles. Higher B12 levels have been associated with a lower risk of depression.