3 Benefits of Taking Magnesium at Night
Posted: 06 January 2025
If you’ve ever spent the night tossing and turning, wondering why sleep seems so out of reach, you’re not alone.
Stress, muscle tension, and an overactive mind can keep us all awake. But what if the solution was as simple as taking magnesium before bed?
We spoke with Laura from Raw Medicine to uncover how taking magnesium at night could help level up your evening routine.
What Is Magnesium?
Magnesium is a mineral your body depends on - it’s involved in over 300 functions in the body. But when levels are low, you can start to struggle, leading to stress, tension, and poor sleep.
“Magnesium helps the nervous system calm down and relaxes muscles,” explains Laura. “Emotional, mental, or physical stress can quickly use up your magnesium reserves, making it harder to relax. The longer you’re low on magnesium, the worse the side effects can get.”
Can Magnesium Help Regulate Sleep Hormones?
One of magnesium’s benefits is its role in regulating melatonin. This sleep hormone signals to your body that it’s time to rest.
“Magnesium reduces the stress load on the body, allowing the HPA (Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Thyroid, and Adrenal Glands) to not be so over-stimulated,” Laura says. “This reduces cortisol levels, letting the natural rhythms of your sleep-wake cycle return. This also allows for more energy during the day and reduces those 3pm slumps… Melatonin is then enhanced at night allowing you to sleep deeper and wake up more refreshed.”
If you’re wondering about the best time to take magnesium for sleep, it’s about 30 minutes before bed. This helps your body shift into relaxation mode, setting you up for a restful night.
Can Magnesium Reduce Stress and Anxiety?
Stress and anxiety can really affect your sleep, but magnesium can help here too. By calming the central nervous system, magnesium lowers cortisol (your stress hormone) and helps you unwind.
“Magnesium takes the pressure off the nervous system, helping to reduce mild anxiety and tension in the body and mind,” Laura explains. “This relaxes the HPA axis, reducing the stimulation of cortisol and allowing more hormone balance and a feeling of being calm, relaxed, and in control, instead of that tight, tense, ‘can’t-turn-off’ feeling.”
The benefits of taking magnesium at night extend beyond better sleep. It also helps you wake up feeling calmer, clearer, and ready to take on the day.
Can Magnesium Relax Muscles and Improve Blood Flow?
Muscle tension can be really frustrating when trying to sleep, but magnesium works wonders here. It blocks calcium from overstimulating your muscles, allowing them to relax. This can help with everything from general tension to conditions like restless leg syndrome.
“Magnesium allows the nervous system to calm down, and this allows the muscles to relax,” Laura says. “It also improves blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients into the muscles, helping them repair and function more efficiently.”
By taking magnesium before bed, you’re giving your body a chance to fully relax, making it easier to drift to sleep and, more importantly, stay asleep.
Why Does Sleep Matter?
When you sleep, your body gets the time it needs to repair and recharge, and your mind gets the rest it needs to process and reset. Without enough sleep, your immune system weakens, your mood suffers, and you’re more likely to become stressed.
Magnesium is important because it helps your body overcome the obstacles to good sleep: stress, muscle tension, and hormone imbalances. By addressing these, magnesium helps you sleep well giving your body the rest it craves.
And, when you sleep well, you live well.
Tips for a Sleep-Ready Bedroom
While magnesium can work wonders, creating a cosy sleep environment helps too. Here are a few simple tips to set the stage for better rest:
1. A cooler room temperature helps signal to your body that it’s time to sleep.
2. A clean, calm space can help reduce stress.
3. Essential oils like lavender or chamomile enhance relaxation.
4. Soft, breathable fabrics like linen keep you comfortable all night.
Pair these tips with magnesium, and you’ve got a sleep routine designed for success.
So, if you’ve been wondering whether magnesium can help you sleep or if it’s even worth adding to your routine…
The answer is definitely yes.
Give it a try, whether as a supplement, spray, or even magnesium-rich foods, and see how this mineral can help support your sleep cycle.
