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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by FloydAS on September 2, 2015, at 7:08:22
Has anyone had success in treating anxiety symptoms with Magnesium supplementation or is this concept fools gold? I've read a little bit about Magnesium Deficiency and how it can effect cognitive issues and other psychiatric issues like anxiety, depression, etc. But I don't know whether to take it seriously or not.
It sounds like a load of BS but I wouldn't be opposed to starting a daily supplement if anyone else has had some form of success with it, even if it was marginal - I'll take all the help I can get considering this is relatively inexpensive to do on your own without prescription.
Posted by Lucy_B on September 2, 2015, at 13:11:03
In reply to Magnesium and Anxiety/Depression/etc., posted by FloydAS on September 2, 2015, at 7:08:22
> Has anyone had success in treating anxiety symptoms with Magnesium supplementation or is this concept fools gold? I've read a little bit about Magnesium Deficiency and how it can effect cognitive issues and other psychiatric issues like anxiety, depression, etc. But I don't know whether to take it seriously or not.
>
> It sounds like a load of BS but I wouldn't be opposed to starting a daily supplement if anyone else has had some form of success with it, even if it was marginal - I'll take all the help I can get considering this is relatively inexpensive to do on your own without prescription.I've used magnesium in the past for sleep and relaxation with some success (and I know others who swear by it). I certainly don't think it can hurt. I feel the best supplements for anxiety/depression are those that reduce inflammation- particularly high quality fish oil (krill is great for brain health), curcumin (the active compound in turmeric), and probiotics. I do think, though, that the ability of these supplements to work depends on how well they are absorbed. I'm having a hard time absorbing anything right now because my gut is in very poor health. But there are many studies that connect those three things (especially curcumin) to the relief of anxiety/depression. At least one study found curcumin to be as effective as Prozac. I've also had some success with Vitamin D in the past. Good luck to you!
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 2, 2015, at 13:34:19
In reply to Re: Magnesium and Anxiety/Depression/etc., posted by Lucy_B on September 2, 2015, at 13:11:03
I didnt feel anything. But there is probably little harm trying.
Posted by linkadge on September 2, 2015, at 18:59:53
In reply to Re: Magnesium and Anxiety/Depression/etc., posted by Lamdage22 on September 2, 2015, at 13:34:19
Magnesium has been helpful for me.
I do take medications as well, but magnesium has been helpful for me, in reducing doses. I helps with migraines, anxiety and insomnia.
Linkadge
Posted by herpills on September 2, 2015, at 21:55:22
In reply to Magnesium and Anxiety/Depression/etc., posted by FloydAS on September 2, 2015, at 7:08:22
I think it's worth trying. It does seem to help some of the more physical symptoms of anxiety like restlessness or tight muscles. I'm not sure if it has a role in treating depression.
Posted by Chris O on September 3, 2015, at 2:54:55
In reply to Magnesium and Anxiety/Depression/etc., posted by FloydAS on September 2, 2015, at 7:08:22
Hi, Floyd:
I used to buy Dr. Peter Gillham's Natural Calm powder all the time. (It's available at places like Whole Foods.) As with Epsom salts (which are also magnesium based, I believe), it definitely had somewhat of a calming effect on my anxiety disorder (and a laxative effect at high doses). It was by no means a miracle, but I could feel magnesium's anxiolytic properties when drinking the mixture. The thing is, it was not very strong for me, not nearly as strong as an effect antidepressant, for example. But it's worth a try. Anything is worth a try if it's safe and has possible benefits.
Chris
Posted by linkadge on September 3, 2015, at 19:19:10
In reply to Re: Magnesium and Anxiety/Depression/etc. » FloydAS, posted by Chris O on September 3, 2015, at 2:54:55
In animal models, both magnesium and zinc have rapid acting antidepressant effects (forced swim test), which are dependant on the NMDA receptor. Like the rapid acting antidepressant Ketamine, magnesium and zinc act as NMDA antagonists. Depression is often associated with overactive excitatory neurotransmission (glutamate), which NMDA antagonists can counteract.
Linkadge
Posted by Hugh on September 4, 2015, at 10:25:34
In reply to Magnesium and Anxiety/Depression/etc., posted by FloydAS on September 2, 2015, at 7:08:22
The most absorbable form of magnesium is magnesium-L-threonate.
Posted by herpills on September 4, 2015, at 18:43:14
In reply to Re: Magnesium and Anxiety/Depression/etc., posted by Hugh on September 4, 2015, at 10:25:34
I tried that form but didn't really notice any additional benefit over magnesium citrate. I actually remember feeling worse on it but I can't say for certain the threonate was the cause. It occurred to me that maybe it was interacting somehow with my medications. Are there any known interactions with magnesium threonate?
Posted by phidippus on September 5, 2015, at 15:23:26
In reply to Magnesium and Anxiety/Depression/etc., posted by FloydAS on September 2, 2015, at 7:08:22
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include hyperexcitability, muscular symptoms (cramps, tremor, fasciculations, spasms, tetany, weakness), fatigue, loss of appetite, apathy, confusion, insomnia, irritability, poor memory, and reduced ability to learn. Moderate to severe magnesium deficiency can cause tingling or numbness, heart changes, rapid heartbeat, continued muscle contractions, nausea, vomiting, personality changes, delirium, hallucinations, low calcium levels, low serum potassium levels, retention of sodium, low circulating levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), and potentially death from heart failure. Magnesium plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and its deficiency may worsen insulin resistance, a condition that often precedes diabetes, or may be a consequence of insulin resistance.
In 1968, Wacker and Parisi reported that magnesium deficiency could cause depression, behavioral disturbances, headaches, muscle cramps, seizures, ataxia, psychosis, and irritability - all reversible with magnesium repletion.
For more:
Eric
Posted by Hugh on September 7, 2015, at 13:15:03
In reply to Re: Magnesium and Anxiety/Depression/etc. » Hugh, posted by herpills on September 4, 2015, at 18:43:14
No harmful interactions that I'm aware of. But it affects different people in different ways. I've read that some people take magnesium-L-threonate at bedtime as a sleep aid. If I take it late in the day, it makes it much more difficult for me to fall asleep.
Magnesium appears to act synergistically with standard antidepressants and with ketamine.
The following is from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23541145
Depressed patients with low Mg(2+) levels tend to be therapy refractory. Accordingly, administration of Mg(2+) either alone or in combination with standard antidepressants acts synergistically on depression like behavior in animal models.
CONCLUSION:
On the basis of the potential pathophysiological role of Mg(2+)-regulation, it may be possible to predict the action of ketamine and of related compounds based on Mg(2+) levels. Furthermore, screening for compounds to increase neuronal Mg(2+) concentration could be a promising instrument to identify new classes of antidepressants. Overall, any discussion of the glutamatergic system in affective disorders should consider the role of Mg(2+).
This is the end of the thread.
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