In rats with depression-like symptoms, magnesium might help by boosting a brain chemical that calms nerve activity, especially in areas linked to mood.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Brain glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 kDa alterations induced by magnesium treatment in olfactory bulbectomy and chronic mild stress models in rats

Cohort Study

Animal

2016 Oct

This study found that giving magnesium to depressed rats made a brain enzyme that helps produce a calming chemical (GABA) increase in two key areas—the prefrontal cortex and amygdala—which may explain why magnesium helps reduce depression symptoms.

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Source Study

Brain glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 kDa alterations induced by magnesium treatment in olfactory bulbectomy and chronic mild stress models in rats

Score: 9

DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2016.04.011

Similar Assertions

Giving rats with depression-like symptoms a daily dose of magnesium for a few weeks seems to boost a brain chemical involved in calming nerves, but only in certain brain areas — maybe that’s why they act less depressed.

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Giving magnesium to depressed rats doesn't change the level of a specific brain protein called GAD-67 in a part of the brain called the hippocampus, so magnesium probably isn't working on that protein in that area.

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89%

When rats are stressed out for a long time, giving them a magnesium supplement every day for five weeks boosts a specific brain protein that helps calm the brain, even though the stress itself doesn’t change that protein.

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86%

Giving rats a specific dose of magnesium for two weeks fixes a brain chemical imbalance in one part of their brain (the prefrontal cortex) that’s linked to depression, but doesn’t change anything in another part (the hippocampus).

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When you're under constant stress, your body uses up too much of a mineral called magnesium, which can mess with your brain's ability to calm down, making you feel more anxious or on edge.

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