Magnesium
Best for
Build key mineral stores
Likely strong benefit for 1–52 weeks · 1 meta-analysis , n=2.3k
70 papers · 23 claims · 156 outcomes scored · 15 positive
Outcomes
What magnesium actually does, by outcome
Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.
Essential mineral blood levels rise into optimal range, confirming absorption.
Less grogginess, more energy from the moment you open your eyes.
Softer stools, less straining, and more complete bowel movements.
Shrinks the gap between hitting the pillow and actually sleeping.
Names, conversations, faces, and details stick instead of dissolving.
Broad gains in memory, speed, and mental sharpness at once.
More time in the sleep stages where your body does its heaviest repair.
More genuine sleep hours so your body finishes its repair cycles.
Cramps happen less often, end faster, and hurt less when they strike.
Deeper, less interrupted nights that leave you recharged by morning.
Quiets the nervous-system overdrive that keeps you wired at bedtime.
The background hum of worry that colors everything gets quieter.
Quiets the health worries and body tension that build with age.
Quiets the overthinking that hijacks execution right before you compete.
Keeps mineral packed tightly into hip, spine, and whole-body bone.
Everyday pressure stops running your nervous system hot.
See patterns faster and solve logic problems with less effort.
Reduces IL-6, a pro-inflammatory signal tied to joint pain, metabolic stress, and chronic disease.
Headaches steal fewer workdays, social plans, and hours of patience.
Fewer wake-ups and more unbroken hours of real rest.
Cuts the number of attacks per month so headache days stop piling up.
Memory, attention, and orientation hold up longer before fading.
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Dose | Weeks | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build key mineral stores Likely strong benefit | | 28 meta-analyses n=2.3k Meta-analyzed | 15–1500 mg | 1–52 wk | #1/5 |
| Wake up clear-headed Large effect, needs confirmation | | 3 RCTs n=329 | 250–2000 mg | 3–6 wk | #2/14 |
| Ease constipation and stay regular Promising early signal | | 5 meta-analyses n=202 Meta-analyzed | 1.5–2000 mg | 4–12 wk | #8/18 |
| Fall asleep faster Promising early signal | | 2 meta-analyses n=55 Meta-analyzed | 320–729 mg | 5–8 wk | #4/19 |
| Strengthen your memory Likely modest benefit | | 2 meta-analyses n=100 Meta-analyzed | 520–2000 mg | 6–8 wk | #9/42 |
| Boost overall cognitive performance Likely modest benefit | | 1 study n=100 | 2000 mg | 6 wk | #4/21 |
| Increase deep, restorative sleep Faint early signal | | 2 meta-analyses n=76 Meta-analyzed | 729–1000 mg | 3–3 wk | #2/6 |
| Sleep longer each night Not enough research | | 2 meta-analyses n=55 Meta-analyzed | 320–729 mg | 5–8 wk | #6/12 |
| Ease nighttime leg cramps Likely real but unnoticeable | | 5 meta-analyses n=698 Meta-analyzed | 226–300 mg | 4–9 wk | #1/2 |
| Improve overall sleep quality Not enough research | | 6 meta-analyses n=317 Meta-analyzed | 226–2000 mg | 4–12 wk | — |
| Break the insomnia cycle Barely detectable | | 4 meta-analyses n=229 Meta-analyzed | 250–1000 mg | 3–8 wk | #4/14 |
| Lower day-to-day anxiety Not enough research | | 3 RCTs n=153 | 250–2000 mg | 4–12 wk | — |
| Ease anxiety in older adults Not enough research | | 3 RCTs n=153 | 250–2000 mg | 4–12 wk | — |
| Reduce pre-competition anxiety Not enough research | | 3 RCTs n=153 | 250–2000 mg | 4–12 wk | — |
| Build and maintain bone density Not enough research | | 1 RCT n=44 | 300 mg | 52 wk | #4/9 |
| Reduce daily stress Probably doesn't help | | 3 RCTs n=229 | 100–500 mg | 4–8 wk | #4/41 |
| Sharpen reasoning and problem solving Probably doesn't help | | 1 study n=100 | 2000 mg | 6 wk | — |
| Lower IL-6 inflammation Not enough research | | 1 RCT n=71 | 360 mg | 16 wk | — |
| Reduce migraine disruption Not enough research | | 2 meta-analyses n=— Meta-analyzed | 250 mg | 12 wk | — |
| Stay asleep through the night Not enough research | | 2 meta-analyses n=— Meta-analyzed | 320–729 mg | 8 wk | — |
| Get fewer headaches and migraines Not enough research | | 2 meta-analyses n=— Meta-analyzed | 250 mg | 12 wk | — |
| Slow cognitive decline in dementia Not enough research | | 2 meta-analyses n=— Meta-analyzed | 91.8–1200 mg | 12 wk | — |
| Ease headache and migraine pain Not enough research | | 2 meta-analyses n=— Meta-analyzed | 250–600 mg | 12 wk | — |
Recommended Magnesium products
Real products that dose Magnesium where the research does, in a clean formulation, from brands we've audited. We only list ones we'd stand behind.
-
Life Extension
Magnesium (Citrate) 100 mg
Well dosed 300 mg/day A formulaBrand audit 90/100
-
NutraBio
Magnesium 200 mg
Well dosed 400 mg/day A formulaBrand audit 90/100
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NOW
Magnesium Citrate Pure Powder
Well dosed 450 mg/day A formulaBrand audit 87/100
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NOW
Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder
Well dosed 500 mg/day A formulaBrand audit 87/100
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Nootropics Depot
Micromag Powder
Well dosed 400 mg/day A formulaBrand audit 87/100
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Nootropics Depot
Magnesium Glycinate
Well dosed 200 mg/day A formulaBrand audit 87/100
Chosen for adequate Magnesium dosing vs. the studied range, a clean formulation (grade A–C), and independent brand-quality audits. Not sponsored.
Risk profile
Adverse events and known drug interactions
Safety events
Drug interactions
Co-studied with
Supplements that share evidence with magnesium
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Vitaminb6 18 shared outcomes · d=0.69 -
Mineral 10 shared outcomes · d=0.43 -
Phosphatidylserine 6 shared outcomes · d=1.77 -
Vitaminc 6 shared outcomes · d=1.77 -
Vitamind 6 shared outcomes · d=1.77 -
Vitaminb Group 1 shared outcome -
Polyunsaturatedfattyacid 1 shared outcome -
Zinc 1 shared outcome -
Milkprotein 1 shared outcome - Blackberry 1 shared outcome
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Hawthorn 1 shared outcome - Californiapoppy 1 shared outcome
Sources
- 1. Oral application of magnesium-L-threonate enhances analgesia and reduces the dosage of opioids needed in advanced cancer patients-A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. (2023) ↑
- 2. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Therapeutic Effect of Magnesium-L-Threonate Supplementation for Persistent Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery. (2023) ↑
- 3. Magnesium Bisglycinate Supplementation in Healthy Adults Reporting Poor Sleep: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. (2025) ↑
- 4. Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis. (2021) ↑
- 5. Magnesium-L-threonate improves sleep quality and daytime functioning in adults with self-reported sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial. (2024) ↑
- 6. The effect of magnesium supplementation on primary insomnia in elderly: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. (2012) ↑
- 7. A randomized controlled study of effects of dietary magnesium oxide supplementation on bone mineral content in healthy girls. (2006) ↑
- 8. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the short term effects of a spring water supplemented with magnesium bicarbonate on acid/base balance, bone metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. (2010) ↑
- 9. Magnesium replacement does not improve insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome: a 12-week randomized double-blind study. (2014) ↑
- 10. Oral magnesium supplementation in type II diabetic patients. (2014) ↑
Generated August 14, 2026
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