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Magnesium is an important mineral that our bodies need for many functions. It helps keep blood pressure steady, supports heart health, and plays a role in building bones, DNA, and proteins. Research has shown that increasing magnesium levels in the body may help prevent or treat migraine attacks. However, magnesium is usually used with other migraine medications. It isn’t a primary treatment of migraine.
You can get magnesium naturally through foods and drinks, including certain vegetables, nuts, grains, and spices. Getting magnesium naturally through food is safe and doesn’t cause side effects. However, magnesium supplements may cause side effects in some people.
Before changing your treatment plan or increasing your magnesium intake, it’s important to talk with your doctor or healthcare provider.
Researchers believe that magnesium deficiency (having low levels of magnesium in the blood) plays a role in migraine development. Some studies show a connection between magnesium deficiency and migraine, but the evidence isn’t completely clear. Many studies suggest magnesium is most helpful for people who already have low levels of magnesium.
Measuring magnesium levels accurately can be difficult. This is because magnesium is stored in tissues, not in the blood, so regular blood tests don’t always give an accurate picture. The best test available to measure the body’s level of magnesium is called red blood cell (RBC) magnesium, but it isn’t ordered very often.
Dr. Alexander Mauskop, a leading migraine researcher, has studied this connection. In one of his studies on the role of magnesium deficiency in migraine, Mauskop observed that people who did not respond to a popular and effective migraine drug often had low levels of magnesium in the blood. When their magnesium levels were increased, many of them experienced relief.
In another study, people who had low RBC magnesium levels and received magnesium infusions during their migraine attacks found relief. But people who had migraine attacks and normal RBC magnesium levels did not feel better after receiving magnesium.
Some researchers have tried to explain why people with migraine sometimes have low magnesium levels. One idea is that the stress caused by a migraine attack makes the body get rid of too much magnesium. Another idea is that general stress in life causes the body to release more magnesium, which then lowers magnesium levels and may trigger migraine attacks.
Overall, magnesium deficiency may play a role in migraine. However, more research is still needed. One challenge is that we don’t yet have a very reliable way to measure the body’s true levels of magnesium.
It’s hard to measure magnesium because most of it is stored in your cells and bone — not in your blood. Your body uses what it needs and stores the rest.
The best way of measuring magnesium levels is with a magnesium RBC test. This is also known as a “magnesium blood test.” This test measures the levels of magnesium in your red blood cells. If you want to know whether you might be magnesium-deficient, you can ask your doctor about this test.
Magnesium has been used for many years to help with migraine prevention and symptom reduction. Magnesium has several qualities that may make it effective as a preventive treatment of migraine attacks, listed below.
The body needs magnesium to make neurotransmitters. These are chemicals that send messages across nerve cells in the body. One of these chemicals is glutamate.
Magnesium helps the body metabolize (break down) glutamate, as well as nitric oxide. Both of these substances are believed to play a role in migraine attacks.
The aura phase of migraine can cause visual and physical changes. This affects up to 25 percent of adults with migraine. Migraine with aura has been linked to a change in the way nerves in the brain work. Researchers believe that magnesium may help correct this change, which is why it may be useful for some people who experience aura.
Researchers believe that magnesium may block the transmission of pain signals in the nervous system. This may help to reduce the amount of pain a person feels during a migraine attack.
Scientists also think that magnesium may help relax the muscles. If the muscles are less tense, it may shorten the length of a migraine attack and help the body return to a calmer state.
There are several ways to use magnesium for treating migraine. Talk to your doctor about which form of magnesium may work best for preventing or treating your migraine attacks. They can help you choose the right type and dosage based on your individual needs.
You can increase your magnesium levels naturally without any side effects by eating foods and drinking beverages that are high in magnesium. However, if you take other medications, check with your doctor to make sure these foods won’t interact with them. Foods that contain significant amounts of magnesium include:
To be properly absorbed by the body, magnesium needs to be bound to another substance. Because of this, magnesium supplements often contain other ingredients, such as citrate or aspartate.
There are several forms of magnesium that people with migraine may take. The body absorbs each form at a different rate, depending on what magnesium is bound to.
Two forms of magnesium have been studied the most for preventing or treating headaches and migraine attacks. These are magnesium oxide (taken by mouth) and magnesium sulfate (given intravenously, into the vein). Other forms of magnesium — though studied less for migraine — include:
Not all forms of magnesium are equally effective. Some are absorbed better than others, and some are more likely to cause side effects.
The American Migraine Foundation suggests taking 400 to 500 milligrams of elemental magnesium a day to prevent migraine attacks. But some researchers say magnesium works better in preventing migraine attacks when taken in high doses of elemental magnesium (over 600 milligrams) for at least 3 to 4 months. Keep in mind that high doses of magnesium are more likely to cause side effects, and haven’t been proven to be more effective.
Because everyone’s body and medical needs are different, you’ll need to talk to your doctor to determine the right amount of magnesium for your body.
Magnesium supplements can interact with many other medications and may not be safe for everyone. For example, magnesium may cause negative reactions when taken with antibiotics, as it can interfere with how well they are absorbed. Taking magnesium supplements with certain antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides, can also cause other problems, such as muscle weakness.
Magnesium can also interact with other medications, including anti-arrhythmics (medications that help control heart rhythm) and muscle relaxers. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement such as magnesium.
Taking too many magnesium supplements can also lead to side effects such as cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. If you experience diarrhea with a magnesium supplement, stop taking it, and stay hydrated to restore any lost fluid.
People with certain medical conditions may experience additional side effects while taking magnesium. These conditions include:
In very high amounts, magnesium can build up in the body and cause serious symptoms, such as irregular heartbeat, slowed breathing, and coma.
For your safety, always consult a healthcare provider before taking any new supplements for migraine, including magnesium.
On MyMigraineTeam, people share their experiences with migraine, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Have you tried magnesium to help relieve or prevent your migraine attacks? Let others know in the comments below.
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What About Magnesium Aspartate. I've Been Using That Based On Recommendation Of Neurologist Since Mid 1990s. Why Isn't That Mentioned????
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Hi. I was on magOxide but 1 of my doctor's took me off of it due to GI problems. There are times when I want to go back to taking them b/c they helped.
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