Learn how this essential mineral works to chill you out!

***I am not a medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before taking any new supplements.***

Raise your hand if you haven’t really paid much attention to your magnesium intake. Yeah, same here! But we are missing out- let’s take a look at all the many things we need magnesium to do in our bodies.

Why is magnesium so important?

Magnesium has a role in over 300 bicochemical functions! It helps to produce energy and controls the release of certain hormones. And hormones, well… they control EVERYTHING, so we need to keep them balanced.

In addition to the anxiety/ depression connection, magnesium deficiency is also connected to muscle cramps, digestive issues, and an increased risk of heart disease, migraines, and high blood pressure.

It also has a part in creating neurological pathways in the brain, and controls the HPA axis (center of our stress response system). If you have anxiety, you might be getting pretty excited about magnesium right now. Controls my stress response system? Yep, let’s make sure we’ve got enough of that!!

How It Works for Anxiety

Magnesium can suppress the release of stress hormones in the brain. See, I told you it all comes back to hormones! It can also work at the blood-brain barrier to keep stress hormones out.

Additionally, it may reduce the release of ACTH and control the way our adrenal glands respond to it. Quick breakdown: ACTH is a hormone that regulates the levels of cortisol, which is released by the adrenal glands.

Magnesium is referred to as ” the original chill pill”.

As a massage therapist, I’m aware of the connection between relaxing your body and relaxing your mind. Magnesium is all over that too!

This mineral is a natural muscle relaxer, anti-inflammatory, and nervous system relaxant, too. I feel that the physical tension and mental unease that I experience due to my anxiety are part of a vicious circle. I’m anxious, so my jaw is clenched, and the fact that I can’t relax it make me anxious, so on and so forth. In fact, the American Psychological Association even stated that chronic muscle tension “may trigger other reactions of the body and even promote stress-related disorders”.

One other fantastic superpower that magnesium claims is its ability to increase GABA levels in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows brain activity. Low levels are associated with:

• Anxiety
• Chronic stress
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Difficulty concentrating

How to Choose the Right Supplement

There are a lot of choices out there when shopping for a magnesium supplement. Talking to your doctor, a nutritionist, or other expert would be a great first step. That being said, here are some basics:

*Magnesium Citrate- Popular for general supplementing, may have a moderate laxative effect

*Magnesium Glycinate- Calming, good for sleep (this is what I’m trying first!)

*Magnesium Carbonate- Used in antacid medications- strong laxative effect

*Magnesium Taurate- Helpful for fatigue, fibromyalgia, and insomnia

*Magnesium L-Threonate- A newer supplement on the market, specifically formulated to cross the blood-brain barrier effectively. Also said to increase neuroplasticity.

Lots of options! If you don’t have a medical/ nutrition professional to discuss it with, at least make sure to check your choice out on LabDoor, a site that analyzes supplements for purity, safety, and efficacy.

Personally, I’m really excited about trying magnesium to control my anxiety, in addition to exploring other natural options like CBD and herbal supplements. There is NO shame in taking medication for your mental health- I’ve also been in that space where it felt like a life-saver- but I’m ready to move on from meds.

Do you take magnesium? Share your favorite brand or success story below!

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