Magnesium nudges sleep a little, but it's not a cure-all

A German home-based trial (n=155) found magnesium bisglycinate, taken as 250 mg elemental magnesium before bed for four weeks, modestly reduced insomnia symptoms versus placebo, but the effect is small and not a cure. The study emphasizes timing and routine, though it did not track sleep stages with objective measures. Diet remains the safer starting point for magnesium intake, with foods like seeds and greens; supplements may help those with low intake but can cause GI issues at higher doses. Medical advice is advised for kidney disease or interactions with certain meds, and cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia remains a stronger proven treatment for chronic insomnia; more rigorous studies with objective sleep data are needed.