What is mag glycinate and can it really help you sleep?

It’s simply mag-nificent.A growing number of sleep-deprived social media users are turning to magnesium glycinate — dubbed mag glycinate by cool people on TikTok — for a smoother ride to dreamland.But is it truly a natural knockout? Or is this just another TikTok trend you can hit snooze on? You’ve probably already heard of magnesium, an essential mineral that’s become a main ingredient of the viral Sleepy Girl Mocktail.Magnesium plays a crucial role in hundreds of bodily functions, including reducing stress, relaxing muscles and regulating your sleep-wake cycle.

Magnesium glycinate is a type of magnesium that binds to the amino acid glycine, which helps your body absorb it more easily and which in itself has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.Unlike other common forms like magnesium citrate or magnesium oxide — which are often used to ease constipation but can lead to digestive distress — magnesium glycinate is considered gentler on the gut and more focused on supporting the brain and mood.Possibly, especially if your sleep troubles are due to stress or anxiety.“Magnesium glycinate is a well-regarded supplement known for its potential to contribute to better sleep and alleviate overall anxiousness,” Dr.

Faisal Tai, a Houston-based psychiatrist, told Web MD.Tai noted that it is “suggested to have a calming effect on the nervous system, potentially helping individuals fall asleep faster and experience more restorative sleep” and is “particularly helpful to people dealing with anxiety, as sleep disturbances often worsen feelings of unease.”However, the science on this is slim.Some studies have found that magnesium supplementation improved sleep quality in older adults and people with insomnia, especially those with magnesium deficiencies.But as sleep medicine specialist Chester Wu pointed out to the outlet, “It is hard to find peer-reviewed literature on magnesium glycinate and sleep specifically.“In much of the literature,...