Looking at the sum total – literally – there isn't too much difference between taking melatonin or magnesium. But – if we look at all people across all ages, then melatonin can be used for a larger group of people for a variety of different sleep issues.
“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.
Supplementing both the mineral magnesium and melatonin together promotes a deeper, longer, more restful sleep. Magnesium glycinate nourishes at least 300 essential metabolic activities in the body, including the relaxation of nerves and muscles, doing so with a low risk of unpleasant side effects or drug interactions*.
Magnesium plays an important part in making sure all those biological clocks are ticking smoothly, while melatonin helps regulate your sleep-wake circadian rhythm. Supplements are sought as a possible way to adjust these cycles or make them more efficient.
You can also try magnesium supplements to improve sleep, Dimitriu says. The recommended supplement dose is between 270 mg to 350 mg for men and 280 mg to 300 mg for women. However, do not exceed the upper tolerable limit of 350 mg a day or you may experience abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Magnesium is best for those with magnesium deficiency, insomnia due to stress or anxiety, or muscle pain and cramping. On the other hand, melatonin is considered best for those who suffer from circadian rhythm disruption, hormonal imbalances, or melatonin deficiency.
Regardless of whether it truly helps with sleep or not, Dr. Ramkissoon doesn't recommend taking melatonin long-term.
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.
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.
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.
It helps support immune health, blood sugar regulation, and nerve and muscle function. Some scientists suspect that magnesium deficiencies can contribute to poor sleep by disrupting nerve signaling and altering levels of sleep-inducing hormones such as melatonin.
What is the strongest sleep aid over the counter? Doxylamine is one of the strongest OTC sleep aids. It is an antihistamine.
Both magnesium and melatonin are two supplements that may be used to support factors of sleep. And while both may be useful, they do have some major differences. Magnesium is a mineral, while melatonin is a hormone.
Without question, magnesium glycinate is the best form of magnesium for sleep. Magnesium glycinate is a combination of magnesium and the non-essential sleep-inducing amino acid, glycine.
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)
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.
While this doesn't prove that magnesium alone can help with sleep, taking a magnesium supplement each night before bed won't necessarily hurt you. However, it's recommended that you see your healthcare provider before you start popping magnesium supplements at bedtime.
Does magnesium make you sleepy during the day? Although many people use magnesium for sleep support, it isn't known to cause tiredness during the day. However, if you want to maximize the benefits for better sleep, it's best to take your magnesium supplement an hour or two before bedtime.
Generally speaking, you will find that magnesium supplements start to work after one week of using them. After one week of regular magnesium supplementation, individuals may experience benefits such as improved energy levels, reduced muscle cramps, better sleep quality, and reduced anxiety.
One of the side effects of magnesium might be drowsiness. In this case, you should consider magnesium supplementation at the end of the day (with dinner) to prevent the midday magnesium slump.
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.
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.