Magnesium supplements reversed major depression in under 7 days.
Study reveals magnesium deficiency may be a major yet overlooked contributor to depression and related mental health conditions.
In a study presenting several case histories, researchers observed rapid recovery—often within seven days—from major depression using magnesium supplements.
Patients received 125–300 mg of magnesium (as glycinate or taurinate) with meals and at bedtime, and many also reported improvement in associated conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, substance abuse, postpartum depression, and even cognitive symptoms like short-term memory loss. The authors propose that magnesium’s role in regulating neuronal calcium and nitric oxide may be key to its therapeutic effects.
The study raises public health concerns over widespread magnesium depletion caused by modern dietary practices and water treatment, which have stripped much of the mineral from common sources like refined grains and drinking water. Stress, excessive calcium intake, and poor nutrition may combine to worsen magnesium deficiency, potentially fueling not just depression but a broad range of neurological symptoms. While further research is needed, these findings suggest that restoring magnesium to historical dietary levels could be a low-cost, high-impact strategy in addressing mood disorders on a societal scale.
Paper
Eby GA, Eby KL. Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment. Med Hypotheses. 2006;67(2):362-70.