Magnesium plays an essential role in your overall health and well-being, including promoting mental health. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, your body uses magnesium to support over 300 different biochemical reactions. Treatments using high amounts of magnesium prompted rapid recovery in case studies, according to a study published in the March 2006 "Medical Hypotheses" journal. But too much magnesium is toxic.
Magnesium
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body, reports the Office of Dietary Supplements. This mineral supports growth, maintains muscle functions and promotes strong bones, maintains nerve function and supports the immune system. One of the benefits magnesium is its role in promoting mental and emotional health. When dietary intake is too low, magnesium deficiency may result. A magnesium deficiency may promote symptoms of depression such as weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite and personality changes.
Excess Magnesium
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, or ODS, high amounts of dietary intake of magnesium rich foods do not pose a risk to you. However, excess magnesium, or magnesium toxicity, may result from using supplements. The ODS reports that high pharmacological doses may present adverse side effects, including diarrhea, changes in mental status, nausea, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, low blood pressure, problems breathing and irregular heartbeat. Many of these symptoms are similar to those noted in magnesium deficiency, as well as depression.
Depression
Depression is a serious mental health condition, classified in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition --- Text Revision" as a mood disorder. Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness or emptiness, excessive sleeping and fatigue, lack of motivation and energy, decrease in appetite and troubles concentrating. Typically depression is treated with a combination of therapy, such as behavioral or psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy, such as anti-depressants. Research presented at the 2009 International Magnesium Symposium, reports, "a magnesium-induced stimulation of the reward system is an important issue for treating anhedonia" in patients with major depression.
Considerations
Research linking high doses of magnesium to rapid improvement in major depression inconclusive, as of publication. Both magnesium deficiency and excessive magnesium, or magnesium toxicity, present the potential for symptoms similar to those of depression. Prior to supplementing with magnesium to treat your depression, discuss potential side affects and drug interactions with your doctor.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Magnesium in Diet - Overview; Linda Vorvick, M.D.; 2009
- "International Magnesium Symposium No12"; Magnesium in Major Depression; Mihai Nechifor; 2009r
- "Medical Hypotheses"; Rapid Recovery from Major Depression Using Magnesium Treatment; G. A. Eby and K.L. Eby; March 2006
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Fact Sheets
- National Institute of Mental Health: Statistics
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Possible Interactions With: Magnesium; Ernest B. Hawkins, M.S., B.S.Pharm., R.Ph.
