The Role of Magnesium in Depression, Migraine, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Cognitive Health: A Comprehensive Review
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2216; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132216
by Péter Varga 1,2,3,†,Andrea Lehoczki 1,2,3,†ORCID,Mónika Fekete 1,2,3,†ORCID,Tamás Jarecsny 4,†ORCID,Agata Kryczyk-Poprawa 5,†ORCID,Virág Zábó 1,3,Dávid Major 1,2,3ORCID,Vince Fazekas-Pongor 1,2,3ORCID,Tamás Csípő 1,2,3 andJános Tamás Varga 6,*ORCID
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions, with particular relevance to maintaining neural homeostasis, modulating neurotransmitter systems, and regulating inflammatory and oxidative stress mechanisms. This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the potential role of magnesium in the pathophysiology and treatment of three prevalent neurological and psychiatric disorders—depression, migraine, and Alzheimer’s disease—as well as its broader implications for cognitive health. Current research suggests that magnesium deficiency is associated with the development of depression, as magnesium influences glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission, as well as the activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, both of which play critical roles in stress responses and mood regulation. Additionally, magnesium’s anti-inflammatory properties may contribute to the alleviation of depressive symptoms. In the context of migraine’s pathophysiology, magnesium plays a role in regulating cerebral vascular tone, modulating the trigeminovascular system, and reducing neuronal hyperexcitability, which may explain the observed correlation between magnesium levels and the incidence of migraines. Regarding Alzheimer’s disease, preclinical and epidemiological studies suggest that magnesium may contribute to modulating neurodegenerative processes and preserving cognitive function; however, due to the heterogeneity of the current findings, further longitudinal and interventional studies are necessary to determine its precise clinical relevance. This review aims to enhance the understanding of the relationship between magnesium and these disorders through a narrative review of relevant clinical studies. The findings may provide insights into the potential therapeutic applications of magnesium and guide the future directions of the research into the prevention and treatment of depression, migraine, and Alzheimer’s disease and overall cognitive health.
Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
See related in Vitamin D Life
- Magnesium and Migraines - many studies
- Diseases at high risk if just low Vitamin D, low (D and Mg), low (D and Omega-3) – Perplexity AI Jan 2025
- Asthma is also fought by Magnesium - many studies
- Magnesium Matters in health and disease – Review Oct 2024
- Vitamin D, Omega-3, and Magnesium are synergistic - many studies
- Magnesium Depletion Score predicts increased risk of various health problems
- The ONE Supplement All Longevity Experts Are Taking (Magnesium) - video and transcript Dec 2023
- Magnesium reduces pain - many studies
- Alzheimer’s patients have less Magnesium – meta-analysis Jan 2022
- Magnesium Puts Psychiatric Drugs to Shame for Depression – March 2019
- Mental health not helped by vitamin D monotherapy (adding Omega-3 and Magnesium help) – review Nov 2021
- Depression greatly reduced by taking 250 mg of Magnesium Chloride daily for 6 weeks– RCT June 2017