“The ability of our nerves to transmit signals throughout our entire central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, etc.!) is dependent on magnesium. The metabolism of carbohydrates and fats for ATP energy requires magnesium. The regulation of blood pressure and heart rate directly involves magnesium. This mineral is even required for the production of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Talk about ubiquitously important,”* explains mbg’s vice president of scientific affairs Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN. Our bodies cannot produce magnesium, so we must consume this essential macromineral daily through diet. This can be easier said than done, as some industrial agricultural practices strip the essential mineral out of food. It’s estimated that 43% of U.S. adults1 currently fail to meet their daily needs through diet alone. Ferira adds, “To put this magnesium deficit in further perspective, we’re talking about over 100 million adults failing to achieve their nutritional requirements daily.” The magnesium in our bodies also tends to naturally dip as we age, due to reduced intestinal absorption, reduced bone storage, and excess urinary loss. This makes maintaining healthy magnesium levels a lifelong endeavor for many. While the mineral clearly plays a role in the sleep process, integrative neurologist Ilene Ruhoy, M.D., Ph.D., notes that the clinical research on magnesium supplementation for sleep is mixed, and a larger body of randomized controlled trials is needed. She also cautions that anyone with a diagnosable sleep problem will want to consult with their doctor for a personalized treatment plan. “Magnesium is not necessarily the panacea for all sleep issues,” Ruhoy adds. With that being said, here are the promising findings and range of sleep-supportive benefits of magnesium supplements that research has identified:* Darley notes this is the most significant array of improvements for sleep found in a supplemental magnesium clinical trial thus far.* Ferira points out that in addition to these obvious markers of sleep quality, those who took magnesium in this study also showed reduced levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, further supporting magnesium’s relaxing potential.* Ruhoy and Darley note that the mineral plays a critical role in vitamin D transport and activation in the body, plus kidney health, blood pressure balance, and more7.* “Hence, the reason I often recommend magnesium supplementation for clients,” Ruhoy adds. “Magnesium glycinate is easily absorbed, does not have many GI side effects, and contains glycine,”* she explains. The amino acid glycine has sleep benefits of its own and has been shown to make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep8 and reduce daytime sleepiness9.* Other popular types of magnesium supplements include: To put these numbers in perspective, women need upward of 320 milligrams of magnesium daily11 (with even higher needs during pregnancy), while men need 420 milligrams. And as Ferira explains, “Food and supplemental sources of magnesium are not at odds; they are directly complementary and even prudent.” “If the magnesium supplement contains other sleep-supporting ingredients, then the entire arc of that formula should be considered for the timing of consumption,”* notes Ferira. For example, we recommend taking mindbodygreen’s sleep support+ formula—which pairs magnesium bisglycinate (i.e., the magnesium mineral plus two amino acid glycine molecules) with jujube extract and PharmaGABA®—30 minutes to two hours before bed. “PharmaGABA® would drive the time-to-take discussion and decision making since its clinical efficacy is shown at 30 minutes to a couple of hours before bedtime,” Ferira explains.* You’ll also want to consider your own sleep needs: If falling asleep is a challenge for you, taking a supplement on the earlier side will help it kick in by the time you get into bed. If staying asleep is the issue, you could likely take it closer to your snooze. Finally, the timing will depend on the type of magnesium you’re taking. Since less absorbable forms like magnesium oxide can stimulate the bowels, you definitely won’t want to take those too close to bedtime to save yourself a midnight bathroom run. When searching for the right magnesium glycinate supplement for nightly use, you’ll want to look for something that’s easy to incorporate into your routine—be it a capsule or powder to add to bedtime brews. Some magnesium supplements need to be taken with food, which is also important to note. Be sure to look for a supplement that has a short, scannable ingredient list that is free of binders, preservatives, and artificial colors or flavors. If the supplement contains any other active ingredients beyond magnesium, those should be backed by clinical research. mbg’s list of the year’s best sleep supplements might be helpful as you start your search. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
