Magnesium and Antidepressants

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Magnesium Works in the BrainResearch on Magnesium for DepressionReasons You Might Be Magnesium DeficientHow to Increase Your Magnesium Levels

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How Magnesium Works in the Brain

Research on Magnesium for Depression

Reasons You Might Be Magnesium Deficient

How to Increase Your Magnesium Levels

Treatments for depressionhave long centered on psychotherapy and medications, butdietary interventions for depressionhave gained attention. Studies show that magnesium, in particular, can be helpful in treating depression, either alone or with antidepressants.

Glutamate, an excitatoryneurotransmitter, interacts with the brain’s N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors; these are essential for normal brain function, memory formation, and learning. An excess of glutamate activity, however, is linked to depression andanxiety, in addition to a host of neurological conditions. This is where magnesium comes into play, helping to balance and regulate these glutamate receptors and moderating both psychiatric and neurological symptoms.

Magnesium, an essential mineral, plays a critical role in a wide variety of body functions including DNA formation, bone density, and nerve and muscle function. Low levels have been linked to the development ofdepression.

While promising, the exact effects of dietary magnesium on depression are not yet well understood. There is research that supports the potential use of magnesium supplementation for depression:

The Mental Health Benefits of Magnesium Glycinate

While magnesium is critical for health, magnesium deficiency is surprisingly common.

B-vitamins, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids have all been implicated for possible therapeutic or preventive potential.

The average daily recommended amounts of magnesium vary depending on factors such as sex, age, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

The daily recommended amount for adult men is between 400 and 420 mg and the daily recommended amount for adult women is between 310 and 320 mg per day.

While magnesium is an essential nutrient, many people do not get enough each day. Certain medical conditions can also make it more likely to become magnesium deficient including celiac disease, type 2 diabetes, and long-termalcohol use disorders.

If you want to increase your magnesium intake, one of the best things you can do is to eat a diet that contains foods that are high in magnesium. These include:

You may also consider taking a magnesium supplement, although you should always discuss this with your doctor first.

Also be sure to tell your doctor about any medications, supplements, or substances that you are also taking before you begin taking magnesium supplements. Some medications, including antibiotics and diuretics, can sometimes create drug interactions if taken with magnesium.

You should also always be sure to only take the amount that your doctor recommends. Very high intakes of magnesium may lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. In some cases, it can lead to heart problems if taken in extremely high doses.

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While the current research shows promise, further research is still needed to explore the use of magnesium as a tool to prevent, alleviate, or treat depression.

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

15 Best Vitamins and Minerals for Depression

11 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kirkland AE, Sarlo GL, Holton KF.The role of magnesium in neurological disorders.Nutrients. 2018;10(6):730. doi:10.3390/nu10060730Maier, J. A. M., Locatelli, L., Fedele, G., Cazzaniga, A., & Mazur, A. (2022). Magnesium and the brain: A focus on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.International Journal of Molecular Sciences,24(1), 223. doi:10.3390/ijms24010223Tarleton, E. K., Kennedy, A. G., Rose, G. L., Crocker, A., & Littenberg, B. (2019). The association between serum magnesium levels and depression in an adult primary care population.Nutrients,11(7), 1475. doi:10.3390/nu11071475Tarleton EK, Littenberg B.Magnesium intake and depression in adults.The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2015;28(2):249-256. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2015.02.140176Tarleton EK, Littenberg B, MacLean CD, Kennedy AG, Daley C.Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial. Song Y, ed.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(6):e0180067. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180067Tarleton EK, Kennedy AG, Rose GL, Crocker A, Littenberg B.The association between serum magnesium levels and depression in an adult primary care population.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1475. doi:10.3390/nu11071475Guo W, Nazim H, Liang Z, Yang D.Magnesium deficiency in plants: An urgent problem.The Crop Journal. 2016;4(2):83-91. doi:10.1016/j.cj.2015.11.003Cuciureanu MD, Vink R.Magnesium and stress. In: Vink R, Nechifor M, editors. Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press.Rechenberg K.Nutritional interventions in clinical depression.Clinical Psychological Science. 2016;4(1):144-162. doi:10.1177/2167702614566815National Institutes of Health.Magnesium.Cleveland Clinic.Magnesium rich food.

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kirkland AE, Sarlo GL, Holton KF.The role of magnesium in neurological disorders.Nutrients. 2018;10(6):730. doi:10.3390/nu10060730Maier, J. A. M., Locatelli, L., Fedele, G., Cazzaniga, A., & Mazur, A. (2022). Magnesium and the brain: A focus on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.International Journal of Molecular Sciences,24(1), 223. doi:10.3390/ijms24010223Tarleton, E. K., Kennedy, A. G., Rose, G. L., Crocker, A., & Littenberg, B. (2019). The association between serum magnesium levels and depression in an adult primary care population.Nutrients,11(7), 1475. doi:10.3390/nu11071475Tarleton EK, Littenberg B.Magnesium intake and depression in adults.The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2015;28(2):249-256. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2015.02.140176Tarleton EK, Littenberg B, MacLean CD, Kennedy AG, Daley C.Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial. Song Y, ed.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(6):e0180067. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180067Tarleton EK, Kennedy AG, Rose GL, Crocker A, Littenberg B.The association between serum magnesium levels and depression in an adult primary care population.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1475. doi:10.3390/nu11071475Guo W, Nazim H, Liang Z, Yang D.Magnesium deficiency in plants: An urgent problem.The Crop Journal. 2016;4(2):83-91. doi:10.1016/j.cj.2015.11.003Cuciureanu MD, Vink R.Magnesium and stress. In: Vink R, Nechifor M, editors. Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press.Rechenberg K.Nutritional interventions in clinical depression.Clinical Psychological Science. 2016;4(1):144-162. doi:10.1177/2167702614566815National Institutes of Health.Magnesium.Cleveland Clinic.Magnesium rich food.

Kirkland AE, Sarlo GL, Holton KF.The role of magnesium in neurological disorders.Nutrients. 2018;10(6):730. doi:10.3390/nu10060730Maier, J. A. M., Locatelli, L., Fedele, G., Cazzaniga, A., & Mazur, A. (2022). Magnesium and the brain: A focus on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.International Journal of Molecular Sciences,24(1), 223. doi:10.3390/ijms24010223Tarleton, E. K., Kennedy, A. G., Rose, G. L., Crocker, A., & Littenberg, B. (2019). The association between serum magnesium levels and depression in an adult primary care population.Nutrients,11(7), 1475. doi:10.3390/nu11071475Tarleton EK, Littenberg B.Magnesium intake and depression in adults.The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2015;28(2):249-256. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2015.02.140176Tarleton EK, Littenberg B, MacLean CD, Kennedy AG, Daley C.Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial. Song Y, ed.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(6):e0180067. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180067Tarleton EK, Kennedy AG, Rose GL, Crocker A, Littenberg B.The association between serum magnesium levels and depression in an adult primary care population.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1475. doi:10.3390/nu11071475Guo W, Nazim H, Liang Z, Yang D.Magnesium deficiency in plants: An urgent problem.The Crop Journal. 2016;4(2):83-91. doi:10.1016/j.cj.2015.11.003Cuciureanu MD, Vink R.Magnesium and stress. In: Vink R, Nechifor M, editors. Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press.Rechenberg K.Nutritional interventions in clinical depression.Clinical Psychological Science. 2016;4(1):144-162. doi:10.1177/2167702614566815National Institutes of Health.Magnesium.Cleveland Clinic.Magnesium rich food.

Kirkland AE, Sarlo GL, Holton KF.The role of magnesium in neurological disorders.Nutrients. 2018;10(6):730. doi:10.3390/nu10060730

Maier, J. A. M., Locatelli, L., Fedele, G., Cazzaniga, A., & Mazur, A. (2022). Magnesium and the brain: A focus on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.International Journal of Molecular Sciences,24(1), 223. doi:10.3390/ijms24010223

Tarleton, E. K., Kennedy, A. G., Rose, G. L., Crocker, A., & Littenberg, B. (2019). The association between serum magnesium levels and depression in an adult primary care population.Nutrients,11(7), 1475. doi:10.3390/nu11071475

Tarleton EK, Littenberg B.Magnesium intake and depression in adults.The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2015;28(2):249-256. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2015.02.140176

Tarleton EK, Littenberg B, MacLean CD, Kennedy AG, Daley C.Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial. Song Y, ed.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(6):e0180067. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180067

Tarleton EK, Kennedy AG, Rose GL, Crocker A, Littenberg B.The association between serum magnesium levels and depression in an adult primary care population.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1475. doi:10.3390/nu11071475

Guo W, Nazim H, Liang Z, Yang D.Magnesium deficiency in plants: An urgent problem.The Crop Journal. 2016;4(2):83-91. doi:10.1016/j.cj.2015.11.003

Cuciureanu MD, Vink R.Magnesium and stress. In: Vink R, Nechifor M, editors. Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press.

Rechenberg K.Nutritional interventions in clinical depression.Clinical Psychological Science. 2016;4(1):144-162. doi:10.1177/2167702614566815

National Institutes of Health.Magnesium.

Cleveland Clinic.Magnesium rich food.

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