Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Depression

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Magnesium has garnered scientific interest as a potential adjunctive therapy for depression. Several studies have observed that individuals with depression often have lower serum magnesium levels, and magnesium is involved in numerous biochemical pathways in the brain, including those related to neurotransmitter function and the regulation of the stress response system. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have provided some support: for example, a 2017 open-label RCT published in PLoS ONE found that magnesium supplementation (248 mg/day of elemental magnesium) led to significant improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms compared to placebo over a 6-week period. Other smaller studies and meta-analyses suggest a potential benefit, particularly for individuals with low magnesium status or mild-to-moderate depression.

However, the quality and size of the evidence base is still limited. Most trials have small sample sizes, short durations, and variable dosages and formulations, and blinding is sometimes inadequate. Current clinical guidelines do not include magnesium as a first-line treatment for depression, but they do acknowledge its potential in cases where deficiency is suspected. In summary, there is scientific evidence suggesting magnesium may help support the treatment of depression, but more large-scale, well-controlled studies are needed to establish its efficacy and determine which patient populations are most likely to benefit.

More about magnesium
More about Depression

Other ingredients used for Depression

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Agarwood
Agmatine
Albizia
algal oil
Algal protein
Almond fruit
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpinia galangal
amino acids
Amor seco
anchovies
Angelica
aniracetam
anthocyanins
apigenin
Ardisia
arginine creatine
ashwagandha
Asteraceae
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
basil
bee products
Beef liver
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacterium longum
biogenic amine
biopterin
Black Hellebore
black tea
blackboard tree
brahmi
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
butyric acid
bасора
Caesalpinia crista
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
cannabichromene
cannabidiol
Cannabis sativa oil
Canscora
caryophyllene
catalpol
Centella asiatica
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
chocolate
choline
cistanche
citicoline
Citrus
Clary sage
clove
cocoa
coconut
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
commiphora
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
cowslip
creatine
creatine monohydrate
crocin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
Cymbopogon martini
D-phenylalanine
damiana
devil\'s club
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
docosahexaenoic Acid
dodder
dopamine
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
egg
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
estrogen
fatty acids
fish
fish oil
fish protein
flavonoids
flavonols
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
fragrant rosewood
frankincense
fungus
gardenia
gastrodia
gastrodin
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glutamate
Glycine
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Griffonia simplicifolia
guanidinoacetic acid
Gypenoside
Helicteres isora
Hellebore
hemp
hemp oil
hericium mushroom
Honokiol
hyperforin
Hypericin
Hypericum
icariin
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inositol
inositol phosphate
isoliquiritigenin
jasmine
Jatamansi
jujube
kanna
Kokilaksha
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-carnosine
L-glycine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactalbumin
lactium casein decapeptide
lactoglobulin
Large-leaved linden
Lavandin
lavender
Lebbek
lemon balm
lemongrass
ligustilides
limonene
linalool
lingzhi
lion's mane
lipids
liquid liver fractions
lithium orotate
little ironweed
long pepper
luteolin
Lycopodium
maca
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Marine protein
Matcha
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Mesembrine
Methylcobalamin
Methylxanthine
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Monkey flower
Morinda
Moringa
Mugwort
Muira puama
Mulungu
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
omega-3 fatty acids
Onosma bracteatum
Oroxylum indicum
Osthole
Oxindole alkaloids
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Patchouli oil
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
phosphatidylserine
Phosphocreatine
phospholipids
Physalis angulata
phytocannabinoids
Phytoestrogens
Piper nigrum
poly-thyronine
Polygala
polygala root
Polygonatum
polyphenols
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
Pulsatilla
Purple Monkeyflower
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Rhodiola
Rosabin
rosavins
rose
rose oil
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
Rubiaceae
rue
Safed musli
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Salvia
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sandalwood
Sarcosine
sceletium
Schizochytrium Oil
Scleranthus annus
selenium
Sensitive Plant
Sete sangrias
Shankhpushpi
Shilajit
Sichuan Lovage
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
spirulina
St. John's Wort
star of Bethlehem
Stereospermum
Sulbutiamine
suma
Sweet Orange alcohol
Tea
Terpenoids
Tetrahydropalmatine
Thymoquinone
thyroid substance
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Trichilia catigua
Tumerone
turmeric
Uncaria
Uridine
Valerian root
velvet bean
Vervain
Vetiver
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Walnut
Waterhyssop
Whey protein
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wulinshen
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yerba buena
Yerba mate
Ylang ylang
Yohimbine
Yuzu
Zinc
Zingiberene
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Control (countering side effects)
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bronchitis
Bulimia
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Deposits
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Colon (atonic)
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Headache (cluster)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Mental Illness
Migraine
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Oxygen Deficiency
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Psoriasis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rhinitis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seizures
Senility
Shock
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Sugar Cravings
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Tachycardia
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Tetanus
Thinking (cloudy)
Tics
Tinnitus
TMJ
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Twitching
Wasting
Wheezing
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Adrenal Fatigue
Abscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Abdominal Pain
Acid Indigestion
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia