Magnesium

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.

Outcome Effect Evidence Dose Weeks Rank
Build key mineral stores Likely strong benefit
large
28 meta-analyses n=2.3k Meta-analyzed 15–1500 mg 1–52 wk #1/5
Wake up clear-headed Large effect, needs confirmation
large
3 RCTs n=329 250–2000 mg 3–6 wk #2/14
Ease constipation and stay regular Promising early signal
moderate
5 meta-analyses n=202 Meta-analyzed 1.5–2000 mg 4–12 wk #8/18
Fall asleep faster Promising early signal
moderate
2 meta-analyses n=55 Meta-analyzed 320–729 mg 5–8 wk #4/19
Strengthen your memory Likely modest benefit
small
2 meta-analyses n=100 Meta-analyzed 520–2000 mg 6–8 wk #9/42
Boost overall cognitive performance Likely modest benefit
small
1 study n=100 2000 mg 6 wk #4/21
Increase deep, restorative sleep Faint early signal
small
2 meta-analyses n=76 Meta-analyzed 729–1000 mg 3–3 wk #2/6
Sleep longer each night Not enough research
small
2 meta-analyses n=55 Meta-analyzed 320–729 mg 5–8 wk #6/12
Ease nighttime leg cramps Likely real but unnoticeable
trivial
5 meta-analyses n=698 Meta-analyzed 226–300 mg 4–9 wk #1/2
Improve overall sleep quality Not enough research
trivial
6 meta-analyses n=317 Meta-analyzed 226–2000 mg 4–12 wk
Break the insomnia cycle Barely detectable
trivial
4 meta-analyses n=229 Meta-analyzed 250–1000 mg 3–8 wk #4/14
Lower day-to-day anxiety Not enough research
trivial
3 RCTs n=153 250–2000 mg 4–12 wk
Ease anxiety in older adults Not enough research
trivial
3 RCTs n=153 250–2000 mg 4–12 wk
Reduce pre-competition anxiety Not enough research
trivial
3 RCTs n=153 250–2000 mg 4–12 wk
Build and maintain bone density Not enough research
trivial
1 RCT n=44 300 mg 52 wk #4/9
Reduce daily stress Probably doesn't help
small
3 RCTs n=229 100–500 mg 4–8 wk #4/41
Sharpen reasoning and problem solving Probably doesn't help
trivial
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

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

hypermagnesemia severe
hypomagnesemia severe
tetany (carpopedal spasm) severe
gastroenteritis severe
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation severe
stroke severe
metabolic encephalopathy (altered mental status) severe
hypotension severe

Drug interactions

Esomeprazole major decreases concentration
Tetracycline major decreases effect
New Quinolones major decreases effect
Bisphosphonates major decreases effect
Clopidogrel major decreases concentration
other major increases toxicity
Semaglutide major decreases concentration
other major decreases concentration
Phenytoin moderate increases effect
Carbamazepine moderate increases effect

Sources

  1. 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. 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. 3. Magnesium Bisglycinate Supplementation in Healthy Adults Reporting Poor Sleep: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. (2025)
  4. 4. Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis. (2021)
  5. 5. Magnesium-L-threonate improves sleep quality and daytime functioning in adults with self-reported sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial. (2024)
  6. 6. The effect of magnesium supplementation on primary insomnia in elderly: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. (2012)
  7. 7. A randomized controlled study of effects of dietary magnesium oxide supplementation on bone mineral content in healthy girls. (2006)
  8. 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. 9. Magnesium replacement does not improve insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome: a 12-week randomized double-blind study. (2014)
  10. 10. Oral magnesium supplementation in type II diabetic patients. (2014)

Generated August 14, 2026

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