I consider myself recovered from anxiety disorder and the secondary depression that often accompanies it thanks to the teachings of a woman whose initials are C. W.
But because my anxiety is inherited I will never be entirely free of it and sometimes wake up in the morning feeling low. It always wears off after an hour.
I don't have a lot of faith in miracle 'cures' outside the hard slog of face-to-face or self-help therapy. But I've read a lot here about Magnesium, mostly good reports of its beneficent effect on anxiety. So I decided to give it a try.
I bought it in Magnesium Citrate form from a very professional health supplement supplier in the u.k. called Natures Best. I take two tablets a day and have to say I haven't had a hint of the low feeling whatsoever. I wasn't expecting that. But the Jury is still out.
Whether it's just that I've hit a good patch or the placebo effect is too early to say. But I'd be interested in the experience anyone else has had with Magnesium and what form you took it in?
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Jeff1943
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Wow Jeff-funny you just wrote this! After I eat dinner, I am going to take 2 capsules of "Calm"- that I received tonight.It was recommended by someone on here and mine says "magnesium glycinate". I am HOPINGGGGG that it works as well for me as it did for you! How long did you take them for before you noticed a difference?
I've been taking them about 2 weeks and I think they had an effect within a few days. Certainly a lot quicker than the 2 or 3 weeks that antidepressants and anti anxiety medications take to kick in. I do hope you find them helpful.
That's something else! I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but after taking them tonight I felt itchy, and still do.😖 I'll see what happens tomorrow when I take them. I need them to work desperately, so I sure hope they are not making me itchy!
SoI took the "Calm" for only 2 days. It is Magnesium Glycinate but also contained Lavender and Lemon Balm. I took them for 2 days and felt itchy. So I bought pure Magnesium Glycinate-500 mg. and have taken 2 of them for about 9 days now. I BELIEVE they help me, but the anxiety is still there. But I will continue to take them.
You can see medical patient topics on line if you want. WebMd.com is one site. I use Google and then see where reputable sites are. They can tell you about vitamins/minerals and Side effects, usual dosage, medications prohibiting this use, which type absorbs better, etc.
i don't have a comment on Mg relating to anxiety per se... i haven't seen any research pro or con... but we do know that brain chemistry effects anxiety - so it certainly seems plausible that Mg could possibly effect a change.
i would like to say something about placebo effect. it's an amazing thing; and studies have shown that even if someone knows they're taking a placebo - it still works!!!
so - if you think it's working... who cares if it's a placebo!
I did try magnesium for my muscle tension and after four days, my muscles were completely relaxed, although because I have been tense to the point of rigid all my life, I actually felt very peculiar indeed, it was a little frightening for me as that normal relaxed feeling was never normal for me and because of my anxiety I got anxious about the odd feelings. I did panic, but I did the sensible thing and cut it down a bit, it did, however, upset my tummy a bit.
Did you ever have anxiety symptoms that it's also helped?
Yes, I first read CW book in the 80's really helped me, stopped me from thinking I was going mad, as I was quite young then. I too have inherited anxiety and depression from my father.
O.k., Nothing_but-pain, if you only read one more book in your life this is that book. IMO. The one Funkyfairie refers to.
In the u.k. it is published as 'Self help for your nerves' by Claire Weekes whilst in the u.s. the same book is titled 'Hope and help for your nerves.' Both available new or used on Amazon and Ebay for just a few quid/bucks.
Weekes was a doctor who developed anxiety disorder, she devised a method that helped her to recover and spent the rest of her life advocating her method through further books, newsletters, personal consultations, tv appearances and lectures.
Her method is based on 'accepting' anxiety symptoms in the short term as 'fighting' it only causes more stress and tension to already over sensitised nerves. The book brings understanding, reassurance and a road plan for recovery.
It was written a long, long time ago in 1962, I first read it in 1974, but don't let its age put you off: according to Professor David Barlow of Boston University she has helped over 2 million people recover in that time.
Her biography has recently been published and its title says it all: "Claire Weekes- the woman who cracked the anxiety code". She also included recovery from depression as part of her teachings.
She was nominated for a Nobel Prize for her contribution to psychiatry.
The symptom it has helped with is early morning anxiety.
Hello Jeff1943,Thank you for posting about magnesium. I've been looking at this supplement for a couple of years now and did buy some from Holland & Barrett. (magnesium citrate) I thought they helped but because of digestive issues (turned out to be unrelated) stopped taking them. What I do take if I have a low mood is Bachs Rescue Remedy effervescent tablets, dissolve in water and drink. These also contain magnesium and work more or less immediately for me,but as you say ...could be the placebo effect. I'm interested to know how you go on with taking the magnesium citrate on a daily basis. Do you take just one-a-day, or 3x a day with food? x
Certainly I will Jeff1943, hope you continue feeling better with them too, if so I will reconsider taking them on a regular basis, also am working to improve my seratonin levels.....but not with supplements or meds. Wishing you well. x
Worth a try Pat, they say that first thing in the morning anxiety/depression is because cortisol levels peak at 8am. Thianine found in green tea is supposed to counter excess cortisol but I found only a marginal benefit and no benefit in concentrated thianine tablets.
Yes JP26, that's what I use, 200mg Magnesium Citrate in tablet but there are other forms such as Magnesium Glyconate. Which is best I don't know as I've only tried Citrate.
Magnesium is hit or miss for me, more miss. I’ve used Nature Vitality Calm (gummies) in the evening and they seemed to help a tiny bit like if I’m tired and needing to sleep they might give a slight edge, but taken them in the day time I feel nothing for example.
I’ve taken mag citrate, mag glycinate. I’ve taken a supplement with three different forms of mag and even supplements that have other vitamins and ingredients to help with better absorbency.
If only a mineral could be the fix, it truly would be a miracle, I’ve a tendency to have debilitating anxiety in the evenings as I have insomnia too. 🤗
A small look at a couple things via research.
“One systematic review from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... suggests a link between low magnesium levels and high levels of anxiety. However, the authors note that the current evidence is limited.
Other research from, appearing in the journal PLoS One, (journals.plos.org/plosone/a... found that a 6-week course of magnesium chloride led to a significant reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms.
According to a 2018 review in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association jaoa.org/article.aspx?artic... peoplE with low magnesium levels may not properly metabolize vitamin D. This is an important finding, considering the link between low levels of vitamin D and depression.
Research has not yet definitively linked magnesium supplementation to reduced anxiety levels. However, taking magnesium supplements is unlikely to cause serious side effects, and there seems to be enough evidence to indicate that there may be beneficial effects.“
Thanks so much for those research quotes, RoxyDawn, they look very promising but note your own experience. My vit D was low in a recent blood test even though I take it in fish oil capsules so I added a 1000mg tablet supplement on doctor's advice. The level went up but still not into normal. I really must get out more - into the sunshine.
LiveLife, thanks for telling us this. So it's clearly no aid to memory😁. Tightness in the throat comes up here regularly as a symptom of anxiety: years ago I had Globus Hystericus which is like the feeling something round is stuck in my throat. After medical investigation showed nothing wrong I forgot about it and it disappeared.
Live-life, you don't have to be feeling anxious to experience the symptoms of anxiety. You may be feeling o.k. but your nervous system is still over sensitive waiting to make itself felt when least expected.
Over sensitivity of the nervous system caused by overwork, worry, loss, disappointment, toxic relationships doesn't happen over night. This is what causes the symptoms of anxiety disorder and it doesn't't just turn on and off every few hours. Desensitization takes time and I'm not just talking days. The main effect it has, beside mimicking serious organic illness is to exaggerate every negative thought ten fold ie stomach ache must be a tumour, muscular tension of the chest muscles must be heart failure, a new boss must mean I'll be fired.But there are periods of calm between the anxiety attacks as you have noticed but until you reverse the nervous sensitivity don't expect the calm period to last forever.
Hi Jeff, Thanks for advice they have them at Boots 3 for price of 2 so going to get some as can’t get the hang of letting anxiety float past like Claire Weeks.
I get the 200mg Magnesium Citrate tablets mail order from Just Vitamins not natures Best as I said before. They come in strong packets that fit through your letter box.
Lin, it's not anxiety that floats past you, it's you that floats through your daily routine assisted by an imaginary powerful force. Claire Weekes explains it better than I ever can as it is her creation.
Thanks Jeff, I Bookmark your messages that apply to me and read them as I find them very helpful. I want to master it before I kick the Bucket so these new tablets sound good. Thanks for your help over the years x
You're saying that's the most effective form of magnesium. It will be interesting to see what form of magnesium those researchers mentioned by RoxieDawn actually used which I haven't read yet.
Maybe I'm reading it wrong but according to this, Magnesium Citrate is for constipation and shouldn't be taken for a long period of time. I have Globus as well. It's not as bad as it used to be and does get better over time. Not quick enough though for anyone with anxiety issues!
Magnesium Citrate evidently has 300 bodily benefits which range from helping with blood sugar levels to helping with irregular heartbeats and of course in countering depression and anxiety. As you rightly say it is also helpful for constipation but this is not its only claim.
Magnesium Citrate in liquid form is taken prior to having a Colonoscopy for cleansing. MANY people are deficient in the amount of Magnesium obtained thru diet.
I take one 300 mg Magnesium pill in AM and PM with meal. Ingredient reads >>> Magnesium (as magnesium oxide, magnesium amino acid chelate, magnesium malate, magnesium taurinate) = 71% daily value
I’ve found Magnesium Tablets -188mg on the just vitamins website. It says it’s Citrate-blend and is £8.95. Is this the one you are referring to? I was going to buy some today in Holland and Barret but the assistant said I’d be able to source something purer on line! Am feeling optimistic about this , like you I have inherited anxiety, am worse in the morning and first read CW in 1972!
Annie, I just checked my packet of Just Vitamins offering of Magnesium Citrate 200mg and then checked the online Just Vitamins website and they've obviously changed the formula recently because as you say what they offer now is different. It's a blend of Magnesium Citrate and Magnesium Oxide with a total strength of 188mg.
Hmmm, I think I'll be looking next time for another company supplying just Magnesium Citrate 200mg. I suggest you Google 'Magnesium Citrate 200mg' and see whoever else offers this.
I think Magnesium Oxide is the version that has a laxative effect. Thanks but no thanks.
Annie, I just checked and Lloyds Pharmacy online offer 200mg Magnesium Citrate, it's £12 but you get twice as many tablets ie 180 compared to Just Vitamins. Lloyds Pharmacy are a known trustworthy company, I will buy from them next time.
Many thanks Jeff, I’ve spent the evening googling away but didn’t actually come across the LLoyds one .....first thing tomorrow I’ll be on it and ordering though! Something interesting that did pop up though was a cream that you rubbed into the soles of your feet at bedtime. Busy Bees Magnesium cream I think. Good reviews particularly for the benefits of insomnia and restless legs. Smells lovely evidently, would make a nice Christmas gift too.
Hey, I’m always recommending magnesium to everyone on this forum. People are chronically deficient in it because of our modern diets. It’s not a fad. It’s a mineral that our bodies require. And people who are deficient will notice and immediate difference.
I have tried many forms of it, but have found absorbing through the skin works best, via Epsom salt bath. I don’t recommend pills as they won’t absorb as well.
You can make a spray and use dissolved magnesium in boiled water (magnesium oil) and apply to your torso arms and legs too.Another trick is to make up a cup using 500 mg and boiled water and just sip a mouthful through out the day.Every little bit helps said the vicar when he peed into the sea.
very low at present but started the all in one magnesium~leg cramps went quickly despite a damaged back, pain in shoulder gone too~going to keep on mag and cut a few other supps out, its not a placebo~
i think the glycinate magnesium is helping but i've had really bad situational probs which continue and A VIRTUAL LIFE LONG PHOBIA WHICH PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND OR CA\NT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE~SO I FEEL WEIRD IF I FEEL BETTER ! BACK IS IMPROVING FROM LSAK OF TENSION IN BODY TOO~ MY CHIROPRACTOR TOOK DETAILS OF THE NEW ALL IN ONE MAGNESIUM BREAKTHROUGH THAT I AN TAKING CILEY~hate these long cold nights~
"Situational problems". Exactly!! So how does anything help that? It doesn't. Just might make you a little better to handle the anxiety that it brings on. Phobia-I've got a severe one too. I've tried being hypnotized. It didn't work. Have you gotten therapy for your phobia?
hopefully soon~i can manage it unless things really go against me~its best to try and remember there are 'sunlit uplands' even in the worst of your pain~
Hey Jeff, are you still noticing that the pills do make a difference with anxiety? I had bought the ""Calm" Glycinate with Lavender and Lemon. I took them for 2 days and they made me so itchy!! I stopped taking them and switched to 500 mg. of just pure Magnesium Glycinate. This is only my 4th day of taking them, so am not sure if they are working yet or not. Time will tell!
different magnesium for diff probs my leg cramops gone completely
Yes i agree, try and research Dr Carolyn Dean, she also runs a weekly podcast.Probably the foremost expert of Magnesium today.My go to for anxiety is actually Magnesium L-Threonate ...this is the new kid on the block..and really the only one to get into the brain mitochondria...two days and the tranquility and calm i felt was amazing after 40 years of ups and downs.Been using now for a year.My memory, and speech articulation at 66 surpasses what i was like decades ago.It is very safe to take because the body stores what it needs and passes out the rest.
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Have you gotten therapy for your phobia? 
Insomnia, mirtazapine, promethazine (& tinnitus)
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