Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Mental Illness

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Synopsis

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

Magnesium is increasingly recognized for its potential role in supporting mental health, particularly in conditions such as depression and anxiety. Several scientific studies have explored the relationship between magnesium status and mental illness. Magnesium acts as a cofactor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, many of which are involved in brain function, neurotransmitter release, and the stress response. Deficiency in magnesium has been associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric disorders.

A number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses suggest that magnesium supplementation may have a modest beneficial effect on depressive symptoms, especially in individuals who are deficient or have low-normal levels of magnesium. For example, a 2017 RCT published in PLOS ONE found that magnesium supplementation led to significant improvement in mild-to-moderate depression. Another meta-analysis in 2020 concluded that magnesium supplementation may be effective as an adjunctive treatment for depression.

However, the overall evidence remains moderate (rated 3/5), as many studies are small, heterogeneous, or have methodological limitations. While magnesium is not considered a first-line treatment for mental illness, it is sometimes recommended as part of a holistic or integrative approach, especially for individuals with demonstrated deficiency.

In summary, there is scientific validation—though not yet robust—for the use of magnesium in supporting mental health, particularly for mood disorders. It is important for patients to consult healthcare professionals before starting supplementation.

More about magnesium
More about Mental Illness

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Abdominal Pain
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Adrenal Fatigue
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Allergies (respiratory)
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
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colon (atonic)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Gastritis
Headache (cluster)
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia
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