Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Addictions (general remedies for)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Magnesium has been investigated as a supportive remedy in the treatment of various addictions, particularly alcohol dependence. Scientific interest stems from the observation that individuals with substance use disorders, especially chronic alcoholics, often have magnesium deficiencies due to poor dietary intake, gastrointestinal losses, and impaired absorption. Several clinical studies and reviews suggest that magnesium supplementation may improve withdrawal symptoms, reduce neurotoxicity, and support overall neurological function during addiction recovery. For example, some research indicates that magnesium can modulate NMDA receptors and attenuate excitotoxicity, which is implicated in withdrawal syndromes and cravings. However, the direct evidence for magnesium as a primary treatment for addiction is limited; most studies focus on its role in correcting deficiency rather than as a stand-alone therapy for addiction itself. There is modest evidence that magnesium supplementation, when combined with standard treatments, may reduce relapse rates and improve mental health outcomes in those with alcoholism. For other addictions (e.g., opioids, stimulants), evidence is much weaker and largely extrapolated from its general neurological benefits. Overall, magnesium's use in addiction is supported by scientific rationale and some preliminary studies, but robust, large-scale clinical trials are lacking, and it should not be considered a primary treatment. Instead, it may serve as an adjunct to established therapies, especially in individuals who are deficient.

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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