Magnesium: Nature’s Anti-Depressant

If you’re like millions of other North Americans, chances are you suffer from depression or anxiety. Many of us resort to taking prescription medication. It is incredibly easy to get prescription medication for anxiety or depression. I’ve been told by general practitioners that taking medication for it is as “common as mud.” Is this a testament to our society? A lack of resiliency or an over dependence on pharmaceuticals? Perhaps a combination. But, what can be done about it?

There’s always anti-depressants but if you’re anything like me you’re probably cautious of taking them and rightfully so. Anti-depressants are well-known for their negative side effects; the most frightening of which is an increase in suicidal thoughts. Those under the age of 18 are not advised to take anti-depressants for this reason. Anti-depressants are also known to decrease libido, cause weight gain, bizarre headaches known as "brain zaps," a general foggy feeling and withdrawal difficulties. These side effects are all detrimental to one’s health; they can even be debilitating and in rare circumstances can cause death.

I learned the hard way, through trial and error, that there are alternatives to SSRI’s. I’ve tried the following remedies at one time or another: St. John’s Worts, omega 3’s, 5 HTP, Gaba, Maca, positive thinking, various books, yoga, and magnesium among others. One of the most effective treatments I used was, believe it or not, magnesium. If you’re like most people you probably don’t think much of magnesium. Sure, it’s found in multivitamins. It’s usually paired with calcium and is known for aiding tense muscles which is why it can be helpful to take when you have a cramp. It’s time though we start thinking about magnesium in a whole different way; a paradigm shift if you will. Magnesium is nothing short of an over the counter miracle. We are only now realizing magnesium’s dramatic effect on our mood. Studies have shown that magnesium is just as effective at treating depression as SSRI’s but with no negative side effects.

Magnesium immediately tackles one of my personal worst system of depression—insomnia. Personally speaking, one of the most debilitating effects of anxiety is insomnia. I first developed insomnia when I was 14 years old in my first year of high school. In that same year, I used melatonin (a natural sleep aid) to such an extent it stopped being effective. When you can’t sleep it impacts every aspect of you wellbeing; your mood, health and productivity. Magnesium can really work even on self proclaimed hopeless cases. You really can get a solid 8 hours of blissful sleep from magnesium on the first dose! Even more, you can recover from depression. Medical journal Medical Hypotheses published a study back in 2006 on magnesium's effect on depression. In it, they discuss that regular use of magnesium results in "rapid recovery" of depression. Researchers discovered that patients can recover in less than seven days from regular use of the mineral. The article can be accessed here.

Magnesium, along with other treatments like yoga and being outdoors, has tackled my insomnia immediately and has lifted my mood. It also makes me feel calmer and because of that it makes me feel like I have more control in my life.

The magnesium I swear by, and which I have no affiliation with, is called Natural Calm ionic magnesium citrate powder. It’s a Canadian product produced in Thornhill, Ontario. I’m unsure of its availability outside of Canada. The powder can be mixed in with juice or water and because it’s taken as a liquid it is absorbed immediately in the system. You could just as well take magnesium tablets but I personally find them to not be as effective.

Once your health and mood are in order you can start living your life the way you’ve always wanted to. So what are you waiting for? Try it for yourself and reap the benefits of this very understated mineral.