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In the pursuit of mental health and wellbeing, harnessing the power of natural supplements is the perfect tool for combating everything from anxiety symptoms to depression. They provide the body and mind with the essential components they require to thrive. But amidst all of the best anti anxiety supplements, there’s one that steals the spotlight when it comes to anxiety relief: magnesium supplements.
The Benefits of Taking Magnesium For Your Mental Health
At the heart of natural mental health lies the pivotal role of magnesium supplements. Often referred to as the “master mineral,” magnesium is essential in numerous physiological processes that dictate our overall health. From maintaining cardiovascular function to fortifying bone density, and even bolstering mental clarity, the benefits of magnesium are incredible.
What may surprise you though is that magnesium supplements can also offer several benefits for mental health. Here are some of the key advantages:
Reduced Anxiety
Magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters that are involved in anxiety, such as GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). It has a calming effect on the brain and can alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
Improved Mood
Magnesium is associated with the regulation of serotonin, a neurotransmitter known for its mood-stabilizing effects. Ensuring an adequate supply of magnesium can contribute to a more stable and positive mood.
Stress Reduction
Magnesium helps regulate the body’s stress response by modulating the release of stress hormones like cortisol. This can lead to a better ability to cope with stressors and prevent excessive stress-related reactions.
Better Sleep Quality
Magnesium is known for its muscle-relaxing properties. This can help individuals relax and unwind before bedtime, leading to improved sleep quality. Better sleep contributes significantly to overall mental well-being.
Enhanced Cognitive Function
Magnesium plays a role in synaptic plasticity, which is crucial for learning and memory. Having adequate levels of magnesium can support optimal cognitive function and may enhance memory and learning abilities.
Migraine Prevention
Some studies suggest that magnesium supplementation may help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, which can have a significant impact on mental well-being.
Regulation of Nervous System Function
Magnesium is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. It helps regulate nerve impulses, ensuring they are transmitted smoothly and without unnecessary excitability.
Alleviation of Depression Symptoms
While not a standalone treatment for depression, magnesium supplementation may be beneficial as part of a comprehensive approach. It can help support neurotransmitter function and alleviate some symptoms of depression.
Reduced ADHD Symptoms
In some cases, individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may have lower levels of magnesium. Supplementing with magnesium may help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with ADHD.
Improved Overall Well-Being
By supporting various physiological processes, magnesium contributes to overall physical health and well-being, which in turn positively impacts mental health.
Reasons Magnesium Supplements Are Essential
Our modern lifestyles and dietary habits frequently fall short in providing an adequate supply of this vital nutrient. By taking magnesium supplements, you can ensure your mind and body are receiving the support required for optimal health and vitality. But there are many additional reasons why taking a magnesium supplement is absolutely imperative, especially when dealing with mental health or anxiety disorders.
You Don’t Get Enough Magnesium To Function Optimally
Studies show that over 75% of people do not get enough magnesium each day. Not only is the modern diet, often filled with processed foods and refined sugars, lacking in magnesium-rich sources but factors like chronic stress, excessive caffeine consumption, and certain medical conditions can further deplete magnesium levels.
This insufficiency can have a negative impact on your mental health. Magnesium plays a pivotal role in neurotransmitter function and stress regulation, acting as a natural relaxant for the nervous system. When deficient, individuals may experience heightened anxiety, irritability, and even depressive symptoms.
Additionally, magnesium plays a key role in more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
Low Magnesium Leads to Higher Anxiety
Low magnesium levels can significantly contribute to increased anxiety levels. This vital mineral plays a pivotal role in regulating neurotransmitters, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which has a calming effect on the nervous system. When magnesium levels are low, GABA function can become compromised, leading to an overactive and hyper-excitable state in the brain. This, in turn, can result in increased feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and even panic.
Additionally, low magnesium may exacerbate the body’s stress response, leading to elevated levels of stress hormones like cortisol. This physiological imbalance can perpetuate a cycle of anxiety, as high stress levels further deplete magnesium stored in your body.
Recognizing this intricate relationship between magnesium levels and anxiety is crucial in implementing effective strategies for mental health and wellbeing.
The Westernized World Makes It Difficult to Absorb Magnesium
In our modernized, fast-paced world, the presence of toxins, chemicals, and pollutants has become a stark reality. While their detrimental effects on health are widely acknowledged, it’s less known that these elements can severely hinder the body’s absorption of magnesium.
This revelation might come as a surprise – even if you diligently include magnesium-rich foods in your diet, the body’s ability to utilize this essential mineral is impeded. The harsh truth is that a significant portion of the magnesium intake is broken down and rendered less effective due to the onslaught of modern environmental factors.
To counteract this, using magnesium supplements is a necessity. This is especially true for people dealing with anxiety, as these supplements provide the body with the support it needs to thrive in the face of adversity.
Best Magnesium Supplement for Anxiety
While we cannot avoid the toxins that are prominent in today’s world or the body’s automatic response to flush out and break down magnesium, you can use magnesium for anxiety through supplements.
Magnesium Bisclycinate Supplements for Anxiety
There are many types of magnesium for anxiety, which likely has you wondering which magnesium supplement is best for anxiety. The supplement you want to look for is magnesium bisglycinate. Magnesium bisglycinate is a form of magnesium that is bound to the amino acid glycine. This combination offers several benefits for anxiety relief:
- Enhanced Absorption: Magnesium bisglycinate is highly bioavailable, meaning it is easily absorbed by the body. This ensures that a larger portion of the supplement reaches your bloodstream and can have an effect on anxiety.
- Glycine’s Calming Effect: Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that has a calming effect on the brain and central nervous system. When combined with magnesium, it can enhance the relaxation response and help alleviate anxiety symptoms.
- Regulation of Neurotransmitters: Magnesium plays a crucial role in regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are key players in mood regulation. Ensuring an adequate supply of magnesium can help maintain proper neurotransmitter function, reducing anxiety.
- Stress Hormone Regulation: Magnesium helps regulate the release of stress hormones, particularly cortisol. By modulating cortisol levels, magnesium can mitigate the body’s physiological response to stress and anxiety.
- Muscle Relaxation: Magnesium is known for its muscle-relaxing properties. When the body is less tense, it can help alleviate physical symptoms associated with anxiety, such as muscle tension and restlessness.
- Improved Sleep Quality: Magnesium has a positive impact on sleep quality. Better sleep can lead to reduced anxiety levels, as sleep disturbances are closely linked to heightened anxiety.
- Balanced Nervous System Function: Magnesium is essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system. It helps regulate nerve impulses, ensuring they are transmitted smoothly and without unnecessary excitability.
- Reduced Hyperactivity: In some cases, anxiety is accompanied by hyperactivity or restlessness. Magnesium’s calming effect can help reduce these symptoms, promoting a sense of calm.
Buy Now: Available on 88Herbs
Magnesium Spray for Anxiety
An alternative form of magnesium supplements that offers all kinds of benefits for anxiety relief is a spray. This method allows for direct absorption through the skin, bypassing the digestive system and ensuring optimal absorption of magnesium.
By using a magnesium spray, you can also target specific areas of discomfort caused by stress and tension, providing localized relief. This approach not only addresses emotional and mental symptoms associated with anxiety but also offers a natural analgesic effect due to magnesium’s muscle relaxant properties.
Needless to say, magnesium spray serves as a versatile solution, offering both internal and external benefits for anxiety management.
Buy Now: Available on Amazon
Magnesium Lotions for Anxiety
A magnesium lotion or cream is another great option for using magnesium supplements for anxiety. They give you the moisturizing elements you want from a lotion, as well as the anxiety relief you’re looking for. Similar to the spray, magnesium lotions can be rubbed right into any areas you’re experiencing aches and pains from all the stress and tension as well.
Magnesium lotions are another form of magnesium that offers an excellent solution for tackling anxiety! These specialized formulations offer a unique pathway for the body to absorb magnesium through the skin, bypassing the digestive system. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with sensitive stomachs or those who may struggle with oral supplements.
When applied topically, the lotion permeates the skin and delivers a concentrated dose of magnesium directly into the bloodstream. This direct route allows for quicker absorption and, subsequently, a more rapid calming effect on the nervous system.
Regular application of magnesium lotion can help maintain optimal magnesium levels, potentially alleviating symptoms of anxiety. Additionally, the soothing ritual of applying the lotion itself can serve as a mindful self-care practice, enhancing relaxation and contributing to an overall sense of well-being.
With its convenient application and potential to offer tangible relief, magnesium lotions present a promising avenue for those seeking natural, non-invasive solutions for anxiety management.
Buy Now: Available on Amazon
Anti Anxiety Supplement Routine
There are many natural supplements for anxiety, and magnesium supplements are definitely at the top of the list as magnesium is vital for keeping your anxiety symptoms at bay.
Here’s an anti-anxiety supplement routine that incorporates various supplements for mental health, to promote relaxation and alleviate anxiety symptoms. Please note that it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
Morning:
- Magnesium: Start your day with a magnesium supplement. This essential mineral plays a crucial role in calming the nervous system and supporting overall mental well-being.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Include an omega-3 supplement, such as fish oil or algae oil capsules. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that have a positive impact on mental health.
- Vitamin B Complex: A B-complex supplement can help regulate neurotransmitters and support a balanced mood. Look for one that includes B6, B9 (folate), and B12.
Midday:
- L-Theanine: Incorporate an L-theanine supplement. This amino acid, commonly found in green tea, promotes relaxation without inducing drowsiness.
Evening:
- GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid): Consider taking a GABA supplement in the evening. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps calm the brain, reducing anxiety levels.
- Melatonin: If you struggle with sleep issues due to anxiety, a melatonin supplement can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle and improve sleep quality.
- Magnesium Spray or Lotion: Apply magnesium in a spray or lotion form to the bottoms of your feet to promote relaxation and induce sleepiness.
As Needed:
- Valerian Root: Keep a valerian root supplement on hand for times when you need extra relaxation and stress relief. It’s has amazing calming effects.
- Passionflower: Another herbal supplement worth considering is passionflower, which can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
You can find all of these mental health supplements on Amazon or our personal favourite supplement shop, 88Herbs.
Remember, supplements work best as part of a comprehensive approach to anxiety management. Pair them with a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness or yoga, and seek professional therapy if needed. Additionally, it’s crucial to monitor your progress and adjust the routine based on your individual response to the supplements. Always consult a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your supplement regimen.
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