Dr. Berg Table of Contents
Explore how Magnesium’s Effect on Mood anxiety, and depression. Learn how this essential mineral can boost serotonin, reduce stress, and improve sleep for better mental health
Explore the connection between magnesium and mood regulation, including how this essential mineral influences emotional well-being, its role as a potential mood stabilizer, and its effectiveness in combating depression
Magnesium
Let’s talk about magnesium’s effect on mood , especially anxiety and depression .
There’s a lot of things that magnesium does in the body .
It’s involved in probably , actually , more than 300 different enzymes involved in biochemical pathways , But I wanna emphasize just one area , the effect of magnesium on neurotransmitters , which are hormone like , but instead of traveling through the blood , they travel through the nervous system .
Now a magnesium deficiency is extremely common .
Magnesium deficiency
Well over 50% of the population is deficient , and probably a lot more that have a subclinical deficiency .
But it’s very difficult to test magnesium since only 1% of your whole body’s magnesium is in the blood .
The rest is in the bone .
It’s in the teeth .
It’s in the muscle , and it’s also inside the cell .
So you kinda have to go by symptoms and just take some magnesium , consume foods higher of magnesium , and see if these symptoms go away .
Magnesium deficiency symptoms
So if you’re deficient in magnesium , you can get anxiety , depression , low tolerance to stress .
You’re not gonna sleep that well .
You’re gonna be irritable and brain fog .
Other than that , you’re gonna be good to go .
Magnesium’s effect on mood
But magnesium has some direct effect on increasing serotonin .
Number 1 Serotonin is the hormone that kind of brings you in a state of well-being .
It actually makes you feel calm , happy , and , without stress .
Number 2 , magnesium can decrease cortisol .
So cortisol is a stress hormone .
And if it’s too high , it puts you in a state of stress .
So many people have chronic elevations of cortisol , and they’re stressed out , and magnesium can help them .
Number 3 , magnesium can lower adrenaline .
So that’s gonna help your sleep .
Number 4 , it can increase GABA , which is a neurotransmitter involved in relaxation and feeling calm and even sleep .
Number 5 , magnesium can increase melatonin .
It’s gonna help you sleep .
Number 6 , it can increase the parasympathetic nervous system .
What is that ?
That’s the part of the nervous system that’s responsible for rest and digestion .
So it calms you down .
It’s actually an active , wave in your body that’s pushing things down to keep things calm .
So let’s say , for example , you ran up the stairs or you’re exercising and then you stop .
The parasympathetic kicks in there and brings your pulse rate down and calms you down .
Without that , everything would stay fairly elevated for a long period of time .
And in practice , I used to measure the parasympathetic nervous system .
I had a , a test .
It’s called heart rate variability , which measures the autonomic nervous system .
And when people would come in with very low parasympathetic function , if they were to exercise , their pulse rate would go high , and it just would not come down .
So they have to do very , very light things and , not a lot of exercise .
Number 7 , magnesium decreases the sympathetic nervous system .
So this is the opposing nervous system .
This is the nervous system that keeps things turned on , and and it keeps you from sleeping .
So magnesium can chill that out .
And another name for the sympathetic nervous system is flight or fight .
There you have it .
Magnesium’s effects on your mood .
key Points:
A magnesium deficiency is an extremely common problem. Symptoms of a magnesium deficiency can include:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Low tolerance to stress
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Brain fog
The effects magnesium can have on a person’s mood:
- Magnesium can increase serotonin (serotonin may make you feel calm, happy, and stress-free)
- Magnesium can decrease cortisol (cortisol is a stress hormone)
- Magnesium can lower adrenaline (this may help you sleep better)
- Magnesium can increase GABA (a neurotransmitter involved in relaxation, feeling calm, and sleep)
- Magnesium can increase melatonin (melatonin can help promote better sleep)
- Magnesium can increase the parasympathetic nervous system (it can help promote calm)
- Magnesium can decrease the sympathetic nervous system (the sympathetic nervous system can keep you from sleeping)
DATA:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352515
Get my FREE PDF Guide on Magnesium
FAQ:
How does magnesium affect mood?
Magnesium plays a crucial role in brain function and mood regulation. It helps manage the brain’s stress-response system and is essential for neurotransmitter function, including the release and uptake of serotonin, known as the “feel-good” hormone. Adequate magnesium levels can calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and promote relaxation, contributing to improved mood.
Which magnesium is best for mood?
Magnesium Glycinate is often considered the best form of magnesium for enhancing mood. Its high bioavailability means it is efficiently absorbed by the body without causing laxative effects. This form of magnesium is particularly effective for those seeking to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation, and achieve better sleep – all of which positively affect mood.
Is magnesium a mood stabilizer?
Yes, magnesium can act as a natural mood stabilizer. It influences several pathways in the brain that regulate mood and stress responses. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to heightened stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Supplementing with magnesium can help restore balanced mood levels, particularly in individuals with low magnesium levels.
Why does magnesium make me happy?
Magnesium positively affects the brain’s biochemical processes. It aids in the regulation of neurotransmitters, which send messages throughout the brain and body. Magnesium can increase serotonin levels, which have uplifting effects on the mood. It also plays a role in activating pathways that are crucial for calming the nervous system and promoting relaxation, leading to a happier and more contented state of mind.
Does magnesium increase serotonin?
Magnesium indeed plays a role in the production and function of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with happiness and well-being. It assists in the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin and helps regulate its activity in the brain. By supporting serotonin production, magnesium supplementation can positively influence mood, sleep, and appetite regulation.
Can magnesium stop depression?
While magnesium alone may not cure depression, it can significantly contribute to the management of depressive symptoms. Research suggests that magnesium deficiency could be linked to depression, and correcting this deficiency may improve mood and reduce depressive symptoms. As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, including therapy and other medications, magnesium can be an effective adjunctive treatment for depression.
