Day 3 - Does magnesium help you sleep?

In your Advent box today is a little jar of handmade, free of additives, magnesium sleep cream. If you would like a bigger jar, we have a 30ml tin available - click here.

Magnesium is very much in vogue as a sleep enhancer, so does magnesium really help you sleep?

The answer seems to be that for some people, magnesium may well work as a sleep aid as it is an essential mineral involved in sleep patterns.  There have not been sufficient studies done however to make it an official recommendation, but certainly may people swear by it.

Magnesium can help you sleep better because of these benefits:

Stress reduction

Mental and physical stress can negatively impact your sleep. Magnesium can help you relax, particularly on a physical level.

According to a randomized, controlled study by the National Institute of Health in 2016, magnesium can play an important role in activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the system that controls your ability to rest and relax.

Sleep-wake cycles

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycles. When you’re asleep, your body goes into “darkness” mode, where melatonin is produced and processes such as blood pressure and metabolism are adjusted.

Magnesium works hand-in-hand with melatonin by regulating its production. A 2019 study indicates this relationship is important in maintaining optimal circadian rhythm and cellular timekeeping, which directly affect your sleep cycles.

Relaxation

Magnesium may promote relaxation in your body through its interaction with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

GABA is your brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning it’s essential for calming the central nervous system. Magnesium and GABA are similar enough that they can both bind to GABA receptors. This helps magnesium activate the relaxation response in the brain, calming brain activity that might make you feel “switched on” or alert.

Conclusion

For some people, magnesium may help sleep by promoting stress reduction, optimal sleep-wake cycles, and relaxation.