Magnesium improves mild to moderate depression

What is it about?

We performed a clinical trial comparing usual treatment to usual treatment plus oral magnesium chloride pills to adults with mild to moderate depression. In as little as two weeks, both depression and associated anxiety improved by as much as if they received a prescription antidepressant for 6 weeks. Side effects were minimal.

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Why is it important?

Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are extremely common, disabling, dangerous and costly. Current pharmaceutical treatments are inconsistently effective, have significant side effects, and are often costly. Magnesium tablets are safe, inexpensive and appear to be effective used alone or with other treatments. If confirmed, magnesium supplementation may be an important addition to the treatment of depression. These finding also suggest new biologic causes of mood disorders that warrant further investigation.