Does Magnesium Help with Sleep? An IV Therapy Toronto Guide

POSTED BY TORONTO FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CENTRE

If you’re having trouble sleeping, have you thought about testing your nutrient levels? Our IV therapy lounge in Toronto offers functional lab testing, which helps us pinpoint nutrient deficiencies that may be linked to poor sleep. In fact, magnesium is thought to affect a good night’s rest!

Magnesium has a crucial role in the human body, helping to regulate blood pressure, blood sugar levels, the functioning of nerves, and your immune health. Key amounts of magnesium are also needed for producing DNA and proteins, as well as for strengthening bone health. It’s not a surprise that its deficiency can prompt disconcerting symptoms then, such as sleep disturbances. According to writings from the Modulation of Sleep by Obesity, Diabetes, Age, and Diet, “Magnesium deficiency may contribute to the inflammatory stress that can result in pathological changes … associated with sleep deprivation or poor-quality sleep.” 

If you think you’re fine with only a few hours of sleep per night, guess again! Quality sleep is integral for optimal health, especially for healing from injuries and for supporting cellular regeneration and energy levels. A lack of energy and sleep, on the other hand, can weaken cardiovascular health and boost your risks for chronic health conditions (i.e. type 2 diabetes). Here, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) discusses how sleep and magnesium are related and how to see if this supplement fits your needs. 

Understanding the link between magnesium and sleep 

Scientists agree that further research is necessary, though it appears that magnesium might affect slumber in these ways: 

    • It may partake in melatonin production: Melatonin is the hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm. Findings show that people who lack magnesium tend to have a melatonin deficiency, too. Scientists are still attempting to understand the connection between the hormone and mineral; but it’s speculated that key amounts of magnesium are required to properly synthesize melatonin. 
    • May promote calming effects on the central nervous system (CNS): Some neurotransmitters need magnesium for functioning. For instance, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) relies on it to calm the nervous system down from anxiety and excitability. Accordingly, “… studies have shown that [magnesium] supplementation can decrease the concentration of serum cortisol, a stress hormone, resulting in calming the central nervous system and potentially better sleep.”
    • Appears to lessen the symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS): RLS – a condition that involves the awkward urge to move or shake your legs – can cause sleep disturbances. In a study on patients with RLS, it was shown that taking both magnesium and vitamin B6 for a few months can contribute to reducing symptoms, potentially leading to improved quality of sleep in those with the syndrome. 

Take note: You may be at risk of a magnesium nutritional deficiency if you have type 2 diabetes, chronic digestive issues (i.e. Crohn’s, colitis), and/or overuse alcoholic beverages. Whether sleep is an issue or not, consider  getting your mineral levels checked at a functional-based naturopathic or medical practice. 

How to supplement with the mineral

Boosting your magnesium intake from various sources can help, especially for enhancing sleep. 

    • Dietary sources: Eating magnesium-rich foods may promote beneficial effects. Try salads with leafy greens, legumes, chia seeds, and broccoli; or eat whole grain toast with almonds and avocados. 
    • Oral supplementation: Oral vitamins, such as magnesium, can be added to a regime of healthy eating and regular exercise. Magnesium is available in tablets, capsules, or liquid formats, but please consult with a health provider first; some magnesium types can cause digestive upsets, such as diarrhea. 
    • Intravenous therapy: If you struggle with malabsorption, oral supplementation may not suffice. You can have vitamin IV therapy prescribed to you, which allows for nutritional solutions to bypass the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream only. We offer this in our Toronto IV Lounge, and magnesium can be blended for a personalized IV drip treatment. Note: Getting a regular IV therapy drip does not replace healthy eating, exercise, and oral supplements. 

Though everybody needs optimal amounts of magnesium, supplementation may or may not be appropriate for all individuals. We explain in the next section. 

Suggested reading: Connecting Pesticides to Male Infertility: Uncovered by Our IV Therapy Toronto Lounge

Should you take magnesium for sleep?

Before adding magnesium to your sleep routine, we recommend consulting with a health provider who practices integrative functional medicine. This healthcare model recognizes the uniqueness of patients, taking medical history, environmental/lifestyle factors and genetics into consideration. Magnesium supplements can potentially interact with select medical therapies, including medications for Parkinson’s disease and certain antibiotics. A functional practitioner, such as one from the TFMC, can discuss underlying issues and determine if taking magnesium (oral supplementation and/or IV vitamin therapy) is suitable for you.

Info about our Toronto IV Lounge

IV drip therapy treatments can be prescribed by our TFMC clinicians. They are designed to act as adjunct/complementary nutrient therapy for general needs, such as boosting energy levels, preventing nutritional deficiencies, and supporting muscle recovery from athletic performances. When vitamin drips are combined with a healthy quality of life and functional medicine therapies, they can help with optimal functioning. 

Our IV Lounge is inside our Yorkville clinic, and therapeutic doses of vitamins are customized with the principles of functional medicine. Our functional medicine-based IV therapy is freshly blended in-house without preservatives – just natural ingredients! Our Lounge is designed to meet your comfort level, and each IV therapy session is supervised by our team of naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. If you’d like a glimpse of our menu of IV nutrients, let us know – we offer vitamin C, a medley of amino acids, several trace minerals and antioxidants, and other key ingredients. 

Along with intravenous drips, we offer personalized therapies that integrate Western treatments with naturopathic medicine, holistic nutrition, psychotherapy, functional medicine programs, and more. As we provide a patient-centered approach to wellness, you’re welcome to collaborate with our health practitioners while your treatment plan is being drafted. Please don’t hesitate to ask us any questions! We find that treatments tend to be adhered to when patients understand the benefits of lifestyle modifications and prescribed therapies.  

Functional medicine-based IV therapy is accessible for new and existing patients, and doses of vitamins are tailored for your needs only. Interested in becoming a new patient? Ask us for your initial consult for IV therapy from our Toronto practice – it’s an easy process!

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

Breus, Michael, Stephanie Hooper, MPH, Tarah Lynch, MS, & Heather A. Hausenblas, PhD. ” Effectiveness of Magnesium Supplementation on Sleep Quality and Mood for Adults with Poor Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Trial.” Medical Research Archives [Online], 12.7 (2024): n. pag. Web. 6 Jan. 2025

Cuciureanu MD, Vink R. Magnesium and stress. In: Vink R, Nechifor M, editors. Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press; 2011. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507250/

Jadidi, A., Ashtiani, A. R., Hezaveh, A. K., & Aghaepour, S. M. (2022). Therapeutic effects of magnesium and vitamin B6 in alleviating the symptoms of restless legs syndrome: A randomized controlled clinical trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 23, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-022-03814-8

Nielsen, F. H. (2015). Relation between Magnesium Deficiency and Sleep Disorders and Associated Pathological Changes. Modulation of Sleep by Obesity, Diabetes, Age, and Diet, 291-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-420168-2.00031-4

Noah, L., Dye, L., De Fer, B. B., Mazur, A., Pickering, G., & Pouteau, E. (2021). Effect of magnesium and vitamin B6 supplementation on mental health and quality of life in stressed healthy adults: Post‐hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Stress and Health, 37(5), 1000. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3051

“Should You Take Magnesium for Sleep?” by Maggie O’Neill from Health magazine, updated July 24, 2024, viewed on January 6, 2025. 

Signs You May Have a Magnesium Deficiency” from the Cleveland Clinic, posted on October 25, 2022, viewed on January 6, 2024. 

Zhang, Y., Chen, C., Lu, L., Knutson, K. L., Carnethon, M. R., Fly, A. D., Luo, J., Haas, D. M., Shikany, J. M., & Kahe, K. (2021). Association of magnesium intake with sleep duration and sleep quality: Findings from the CARDIA study. Sleep, 45(4), zsab276. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsab276

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