Can magnesium supplements reduce anxiety? Here’s the science behind the natural remedy trending for anxiety relief | Health

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Subrata Das, HOD – Internal Medicine and Diabetology at Sakra World Hospital in Bengaluru, shared, “Magnesium is essential for many bodily functions, yet many people lack it in their diet. About 60% is stored in bones, and the rest in muscles, tissues, and fluids. It supports around 600 metabolic processes, including energy production, protein synthesis, gene maintenance, muscle function, and nerve regulation.”

He gushed, “It reduces stress by controlling cortisol levels, inducing relaxation, and relieving muscle tension. Magnesium deficiency is linked to headaches and poor sleep because of its function in GABA modulation. A 2023 study found that magnesium supplements significantly improved sleep in older adults, highlighting its role in stress management, sleep quality, and metabolic health.”

Highlighting that supplements can help with migraine frequency and weight control by lowering BMI in those who have a deficiency, Dr Subrata Das cautioned, “However, excessive intake can result in negative effects, thus it is critical to use supplements under medical supervision. Hypermagnesemia, that is if magnesium is more than normal then it can cause symptoms like weakness or exhaustion, confusion, and reduced rate of breathing or irregular heartbeat.”