We made it through Covid, but now we’re facing a different kind of crisis.
According to an article published in the Annals of Medicine and Surgery (London), “anxiety and mood disorders are the most pressing public health issues in today’s modern world.”
A Better Way
Instead of just crossing our fingers, covering up symptoms, and hoping for the best, we must ask (and answer) the hard questions:
- What’s actually driving this mental health crisis?
- Why are anxiety and depression so widespread?
- What are we missing?
The answer might be more simple than we think.
Magnesium: The Missing Link in Mental Health
According to this article in First for Women, a staggering 80% of the population is deficient in magnesium, a mineral that plays a critical role in brain function and emotional well-being. This deficiency can lead to damaged neurons, disrupted neurotransmitters, and increased stress hormones—all of which can contribute to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
A 7-Day Turnaround?
Studies have shown that magnesium supplementation can relieve symptoms of depression in as little as seven days. People who started taking 125-300 mg of magnesium glycinate and taurinate with meals and before bed reported:
- Less anxiety
- Improved mood
- Better sleep
- More mental clarity
And unlike antidepressants? Magnesium supplements have no negative side effects. (Read more in my biohack: “Wouldn’t You Like to Reverse Symptoms of Depression in 7 Days?”
The Solution I Trust
Many common forms of magnesium—like magnesium oxide—are poorly absorbed and can cause digestive upset.
That’s why I recommend a full-spectrum magnesium supplement like Mag-Key, which includes:
- Magnesium Glycinate – The calming form, great for anxiety and relaxation
- Magnesium Taurinate – Supports brain function and emotional balance
- Magnesium Orotate – Aids cellular energy and heart health
- Magnesium Malate – Eases muscle tension and supports detoxification
This unique blend, combined with Vitamin B6 (another natural mood-enhancer), makes magnesium more bioavailable and maximizes its mental health benefits.
I recommend 5mg of magnesium per lb. of body weight daily. You can divide into morning and night doses, as magnesium will enable restful sleep.
Other Simple (And Powerful) Ways to Support Mental Health
While magnesium is a game-changer, mental health requires a whole-body approach. Try incorporating these suggestions:
- Balance Blood Sugar – Sugar crashes fuel mood swings and anxiety.
- Increase Omega-3s – Essential for brain function and reducing inflammation.
- Prioritize Sleep – Deep, quality sleep is crucial for emotional resilience.
- Cut back on screen time. I know, I know—this one’s tough. But constant exposure to Wi-Fi, phones, and screens can jack up your nervous system and contribute to anxiety. Try keeping your phone on airplane mode at night and taking breaks from screen time throughout the day.
- Support Gut Health – A healthy gut microbiome = a healthy mind.
For a list of magnesium-rich foods, check out this article in Taste for Life. Some of the standouts include leafy greens, nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds, almonds and cashews, buckwheat and dark chocolate (because sometimes, a little chocolate can be good therapy).
Final Thoughts
If you or someone you love is struggling with anxiety or depression, don’t overlook the power of nutrition. Fixing deficiencies—especially magnesium—can be a simple, natural, and life-changing way to support mental health.
We beat COVID. Now let’s beat this.
>>Get Your Mag-Key today!
Resources:
Kirsch I. Antidepressants and the Placebo Effect. Z Psychol. 2014;222(3):128-134. doi: 10.1027/2151-2604/a000176. PMID: 25279271; PMCID: PMC4172306.
Edinoff AN, Akuly HA, Hanna TA, Ochoa CO, Patti SJ, Ghaffar YA, Kaye AD, Viswanath O, Urits I, Boyer AG, Cornett EM, Kaye AM. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Adverse Effects: A Narrative Review. Neurol Int. 2021 Aug 5;13(3):387-401. doi: 10.3390/neurolint13030038. PMID: 34449705; PMCID: PMC8395812.
Eby GA, Eby KL. Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment. Med Hypotheses. 2006;67(2):362-70. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.01.047. Epub 2006 Mar 20. PMID: 16542786.
Eby GA 3rd, Eby KL. Magnesium for treatment-resistant depression: a review and hypothesis. Med Hypotheses. 2010 Apr;74(4):649-60. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2009.10.051. Epub 2009 Nov 27. PMID: 19944540.
Gabriel M, Sharma V. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. CMAJ. 2017 May 29;189(21):E747. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.160991. PMID: 28554948; PMCID: PMC5449237.
Sharp T, Collins H. Mechanisms of SSRI Therapy and Discontinuation. Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2024;66:21-47. doi: 10.1007/7854_2023_452. PMID: 37955823.
Strawn JR, Mills JA, Poweleit EA, Ramsey LB, Croarkin PE. Adverse Effects of Antidepressant Medications and their Management in Children and Adolescents. Pharmacotherapy. 2023 Jul;43(7):675-690. doi: 10.1002/phar.2767. Epub 2023 Jan 27. PMID: 36651686; PMCID: PMC10378577.
Durrani D, Idrees R, Idrees H, Ellahi A. Vitamin B6: A new approach to lowering anxiety, and depression? Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022 Sep 15;82:104663. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104663. PMID: 36268413; PMCID: PMC9577631.
Bridge, J. A., Ruch, D. A., Sheftall, A. H., Hahm, H. C., O’Keefe, V. M., Fontanella, C. A., Brock, G., Campo, J. V., & Horowitz, L. M. (2023). Youth suicide during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pediatrics, 151(3), Article e2022058375. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-058375
4 Responses
I recently read magnesium requires calcium and vitamin D to properly absorb magnesium. This product does not contain either.
While calcium and vitamin D can support magnesium metabolism, magnesium itself is often best absorbed when taken on its own — especially in a highly absorbable form like what’s found in Mag-Key. Many people already get plenty of calcium from their diet, and too much calcium without enough magnesium can actually create an imbalance. As for vitamin D, it does help with magnesium utilization, but since individual needs vary, I prefer to have people supplement vitamin D separately based on their personal levels. A simple vitamin D test can help determine if extra support is needed. – Team ALG
Thank you.There are so many variations of Magnesium. Supposing it is labeled “Magnesium” without additional labeling. It might be 400 or 500 mg, wouldn”t it still be beneficial? Presently, I have “Magnesium Oxide” , a friend has Magnesium Glycinate. Iam wondering which category is best for muscle health? Thank you in advance for any info you may have.
Not all magnesium is created equal—different forms serve different purposes. For muscle health, Magnesium Malate is a top choice because it helps with energy production and muscle recovery. That’s why I love Mag-Key — it contains not one, but four highly absorbable forms of magnesium, including malate, glycinate, taurinate, and orotate, to support muscles, heart health, and overall well-being. PLUS, it has Vitamin B-6 Vitamin B6 which helps optimize absorption and assimiliation of magnesium! – Team ALG