3 Key Tips When Using Magnesium To Get A Better Night's Sleep

Magnesium is one of the trending health supplements, mainly thanks to its strong sleep links. To summarize, research shows that magnesium can help you fall asleep and enjoy a more restful and deeper slumber. There’s even some evidence out there to support the use of magnesium for insomnia sufferers. 

As a result, you can find loads of magnesium supplements on the market that claim to provide a better night’s sleep. Before you head out and start taking the first magnesium supplement you find, make sure you read these key tips to ensure you get the most out of it: 

Check With Your Doctor

This is a habit you should always get into whenever you take any health supplement. While supplements aren’t technically forms of medication, they can interfere with medication. You might be taking something that reacts badly with magnesium and can lead to unwanted side effects. There’s also the rare chance that you’re already ingesting adequate levels of magnesium, meaning it’s a health risk to take supplements. 

In other words, it’s just not worth the risk; consult with your doctor and get some blood tests done to ensure you can safely take magnesium for sleep. If you can’t, then perhaps they’ll help you look at alternative supplements or ideas to sleep better at night. Maybe they’ll point you toward something like melatonin or zinc supplements instead. Either way, you’re in the right place to ask for help.

Pay Attention to the Dose

​Likewise, always pay attention to the dosage of your magnesium sleep supplement. If you’re ingesting it, then most of he time, you’re taking maybe one or two pills before bed each night. It’s super important not to go over the limit because overdosing on magnesium can lead to some very troubling side effects. 

Most notably, magnesium oxide can cause diarrhea and stomach problems if you take too much of it. In a cruel twist of irony, the very supplement you’re taking to sleep better could end up keeping you up at night as you constantly dash to the bathroom. Never go over the dosage limit, even if you’re taking the supplement and can’t see any sleep benefits.

Consider Topical Magnesium

You could avoid the risk of stomach and digestive side effects by opting for topical magnesium supplements instead. Find products like magnesium sprays, creams, or “butter” that you apply to your skin. From there, the magnesium enters your body through the skin barrier, which can often mean it’s absorbed more efficiently. 

Indeed, loads of people comment on the benefits of magnesium butter when rubbing it on their feet and legs at night. You also get the advantage of these topical treatments including relaxing scents like lavender to further encourage a deeper sleep. 


In conclusion, magnesium is a powerful health supplement that can help you sleep better at night. It’s known to encourage your body to slow down and shut off, which means you should sleep through the night and wake up more refreshed. Of course, you should never rush into taking magnesium supplements without considering the three key tips above. 

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