I tried the 'magic' pill that claims to cure migraines, back pain, anxiety and insomnia. The relief was instant... and it costs just $25 a month
For anyone plagued by the relentless grip of a migraine or the nightly frustration of staring at the ceiling, relief may come not from a new prescription but from a fundamental mineral available in pharmacies nationwide.Magnesium glycinate is having a wellness moment, surging in popularity as a powerful, evidence-backed supplement for common ailments such as anxiety and insomnia, all for under $25 for a month's supply. Neurologists often point to magnesium as a key preventive measure for migraine sufferers. The theory is that the mineral helps calm the hyperexcitability in the brain’s neurons and regulates neurotransmitters involved in sending pain signals to the brain. Shanna Bynes Bradford, CEO of the aromatherapy company Grow Out Oils, told the Daily Mail she used the supplement to cure her migraines, alleviate her heart palpitations and improve her lower back sciatic pain. She said: 'Magnesium has been a powerful influence on my everyday life.’She described experiencing a major boost in energy, reduction in stress and pain and a drastic improvement in sleep, all without any stomach discomfort, a possible side effect of some types of magnesium. Additionally, her troubling heart palpitations disappeared completely within a few weeks. Research shows that magnesium can significantly reduce migraines, with one study showing a 22 to 43 percent reduction in attacks for the 40 million Americans affected. Its most celebrated use is as a natural sleep aid. Unlike sedatives that force sleep and cause grogginess in the morning, magnesium prepares the body for rest by quieting the nervous system and supporting the regulation of melatonin, the body’s sleep hormone. Shanna Bynes Bradford said that magnesium glycinate cured her migraines, stopped her heart palpitations and relieved her sciatic pain
For years, Bradford managed a string of debilitating symptoms.Shortly after her months-long exposure to black mold in her home, Bradford began experiencing intense health issues, including migraines that left her in extreme pain for days at a time and heart palpitations that persisted for months. It was not until she saw a specialist in mold-related toxins that she found the support needed to address the symptoms. A routine vitamin blood panel revealed a magnesium deficiency was fueling her persistent health problems. She said: 'For me [the magnesium deficiency] was a big surprise, but for my doctor it wasn’t, because it was a common symptom that is associated with black toxic mold exposure.' Bradford was already taking magnesium citrate to regulate her bowel movements. Still, her doctor explained that while the magnesium citrate she was taking is effective and generally safe for regularity by drawing water into the bowels, it is not recommended for daily, long-term use. Magnesium glycinate is better for long-term, daily use to support sleep and reduce migraines and improve bone health. Bradford discovered her persistent health problems were due to a magnesium deficiency. Upon taking a 500mg dose, she experienced immediate relief and improved sleepBradford's doctor chose to start her on 500mg of magnesium glycinate.Bradford said: 'After taking the 500mg for the first time it was an immediate relief for me. I had more energy, felt less stressed, my sleep improved by 80 percent. 'I also didn’t experience any form of stomach discomfort while taking the magnesium glycinate which was a big relief for me also.' She added that her disturbing heart palpitations had 'gone completely' after a few weeks. That same calming effect on nerve signals that can improve sleep means magnesium is also a helpful way of regulating heart palpitations that worsen when a person is stressed or deficient in the mineral. 'I was overjoyed because it’s a very weird feeling when your heart is racing or feels like it’s skipping a beat,' Bradford said.Bradford added that her migraines also disappeared. Low magnesium, a level below 0.70 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or 1.70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), can directly influence migraine attacks because the mineral plays a key role in regulating nerve function and blood vessel behavior in the brain.Bradford said: 'When you're hit with a migraine headache, it literally stops you in your tracks, and you immediately lie down and try to recover and deal with reducing the extreme symptoms of pain and discomfort your body goes through.' Scientists believe migraines can start when over-sensitive brain nerves disrupt blood flow. A key player is the trigeminal nerve, which, when activated, releases chemicals that make blood vessels swell, causing throbbing pain.A magnesium deficiency can trigger migraines by disrupting the brain's pain-regulating chemicals and blood circulation. It can also promote the wave of abnormal brain activity, called cortical spreading depression, responsible for the visual aura that precedes some headaches. Magnesium deficiency can also trigger back pain by preventing muscles from relaxing, leading to painful tension and spasms. Bradford found that her sciatic pain disappeared after she started taking magnesium, which is essential for proper muscle function and recovery. Addressing a shortage helps the muscles relax properly and moderates the nervous system's pain response.Magnesium’s reputation as a natural sleep aid is rooted in its direct action on the nervous system. It helps calm the mind and body by binding to receptors for GABA, a neurotransmitter that slows down brain activity to promote relaxation and well-being. A magnesium deficiency can cause back pain by preventing muscles from relaxing, leading to tension and spasms. Bradford said her sciatic pain disappeared after addressing her magnesium deficiencySamira Shamoon, a 45-year-old communications executive from New York, told the Daily Mail she had struggled with insomnia for years. Desperate for help falling asleep at night, she followed her doctor's advice and took magnesium glycinate.She said: 'Since I started magnesium last month, I’ve been sleeping well and waking up feeling refreshed.' 'I felt the magnesium the first night that I took it, and I didn’t even take that much, only 120 mg of magnesium glycinate... I’m not very big and generally sensitive to anything I put in my body, so I wasn’t surprised that I felt it so fast. 'The biggest change I noticed was that I went straight to sleep and woke up feeling refreshed, which I wasn’t used to as I’m not a morning person.' Magnesium helps regulate the production of melatonin, the hormone that governs the sleep-wake cycle.By easing muscle tension and tempering the body’s stress response, magnesium effectively soothes a busy mind.Shamoon said: 'I would often find myself working late on deadlines, and between the light coming off the computer screen and the adrenaline from the deadline, I would have trouble going to sleep. 'I’m a night owl by nature, so after many years of working late, I finally wanted to make a change and have earlier, more energetic mornings, so I brought it up to [my doctor] Dr Amanda Kahn.' Dr Kahn, who takes magnesium supplements herself, told the Daily Mail: 'Even when magnesium levels are normal, supplementation has strong evidence for muscle relaxation, improved sleep quality...and cognitive calming via GABA receptor support. 'I often use it for patients with tension, anxiety, or muscle tightness because benefits are seen beyond overt deficiency.' The typical American diet, heavily reliant on ultra-processed and convenience foods, is also a significant risk factor for magnesium deficiency.Magnesium can be found in a wide array of healthy foods. Excellent dietary sources include pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, and spinach. Other rich sources are black beans, lentils, avocados, and fatty fish like salmon. Dr Kahn said: 'Supplementation works best as a complement, ensuring optimal levels for neuromuscular and cognitive function, not just preventing deficiency.'
