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How to Use Magnesium to Calm Anxiety
GQ • • health
Key Points:
- Magnesium plays a key role in regulating the nervous system and supporting the body's stress response by helping regulate GABA, the brain's primary calming neurotransmitter, which can help reduce anxiety.
- Approximately half of the U.S. population is deficient in magnesium, and studies have linked magnesium deficiency to higher levels of anxiety.
- Experts recommend obtaining magnesium primarily through magnesium-rich foods such as beans, nuts, leafy greens, and whole grains, with supplements advised only for those confirmed to be deficient through medical testing.
- Magnesium glycinate is considered the most effective and well-tolerated supplement form, with recommended dosages between 400-420 mg daily; side effects like diarrhea can be minimized by adjusting the dose or taking it with food.
- While magnesium can support anxiety management, it is not a standalone treatment and should be used alongside evidence-based therapies like psychotherapy or medications for diagnosed anxiety disorders.
