Magnesium and Antidepressants

Treatments for depression have long centered on psychotherapy and medications, but dietary interventions for depression have gained attention. Studies show that magnesium, in particular, can be helpful in treating depression, either alone or with antidepressants.

How Magnesium Works in the Brain

Glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, interacts with the brain's N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors; these are essential for normal brain function, memory formation, and learning. An excess of glutamate activity, however, is linked to depression and anxiety, in addition to a host of neurological conditions. This is where magnesium comes into play, helping to balance and regulate these glutamate receptors and moderating both psychiatric and neurological symptoms.

Research on Magnesium for Depression

While promising, the exact effects of dietary magnesium on depression are not yet well understood. There is research that supports the potential use of magnesium supplementation for depression:

• A 2015 study found a significant link between low magnesium intake and depression in adults.
• A 2017 randomized clinical trial published in the journal PLoS One found that supplementation with magnesium chloride resulted in significant improvements in depressive symptoms. The study also found that the participants who were taking an antidepressant experienced stronger benefits when taking magnesium, which suggests that it might be useful when used in conjunction with antidepressant medications.
• A 2019 study found that low serum magnesium levels were associated with depressive symptoms. Such findings suggest that measuring magnesium levels may be useful as a way to identify people who might respond best to magnesium supplementation.

Reasons You Might Be Magnesium Deficient

While magnesium is critical for health, magnesium deficiency is surprisingly common. 

• Dietary magnesium often comes from plant sources. However, magnesium levels can vary depending on how much of the substance the plants absorb from their environment. Environmental factors can, therefore, play a role in how magnesium-rich certain foods are.
• Other dietary factors can affect magnesium absorption. The use of antacids or diuretics and the consumption of alcohol and caffeine can affect how much magnesium people absorb from the foods they eat.
• Excessive stress can also play a role in depleting magnesium from the body. During times of stress, magnesium is released into blood cells and eventually excreted by the kidneys. While this can initially play a role in protecting the body from some of the negative effects of stress, longer-lasting periods of chronic stress can lead to magnesium depletion and deficiency if this loss is not replaced by dietary consumption.
• Different forms of magnesium may affect magnesium levels. The type of magnesium supplement used can also affect how readily it is absorbed by the body. Some supplements options tend to be more bioavailable, while others may be more difficult for the body to absorb.

How to Increase Your Magnesium Levels

The average daily recommended amounts of magnesium vary depending on factors such as sex, age, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

While magnesium is an essential nutrient, many people do not get enough each day. Certain medical conditions can also make it more likely to become magnesium deficient including celiac disease, type 2 diabetes, and long-term alcohol use disorders.

If you want to increase your magnesium intake, one of the best things you can do is to eat a diet that contains foods that are high in magnesium. These include:

• Bananas
• Magnesium-fortified foods
• Legumes
• Milk
• Nuts
• Peanut butter
• Potatoes
• Seeds
• Spinach and other leafy green vegetables
• Whole grains
• Yogurt

You may also consider taking a magnesium supplement, although you should always discuss this with your doctor first. 

Also be sure to tell your doctor about any medications, supplements, or substances that you are also taking before you begin taking magnesium supplements. Some medications, including antibiotics and diuretics, can sometimes create drug interactions if taken with magnesium.

You should also always be sure to only take the amount that your doctor recommends. Very high intakes of magnesium may lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. In some cases, it can lead to heart problems if taken in extremely high doses.

A Word From Verywell

While the current research shows promise, further research is still needed to explore the use of magnesium as a tool to prevent, alleviate, or treat depression.

Even though more research is needed, you can make sure that you are getting the magnesium you need by eating a healthy, nutritious diet that includes magnesium-rich foods. If you are concerned that you might have a magnesium deficiency or are experiencing symptoms of depression, be sure to talk to your doctor.