Magnesium for Oxytocin Enhancement
Magnesium supports calm and receptor function generally, but there is no human evidence it raises oxytocin.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 200-400mg elemental magnesium daily
- Expected timeframe
- 3-4 weeks
Protocol
- form
- Not applicable
- duration
- Not applicable
- co factor
- Evidence is insufficient. No human trial has measured oxytocin in response to magnesium supplementation. If anything, the established clinical relationship runs the opposite way: intravenous magnesium sulphate is used obstetrically as a tocolytic to reduce uterine contractility, opposing rather than enhancing the action of oxytocin on uterine smooth muscle, because magnesium antagonises calcium entry required for contraction. The idea that magnesium boosts oxytocin appears to derive from loose associations between magnesium, relaxation and social bonding rather than from any physiological finding. Oxytocin is released by the posterior pituitary in response to specific stimuli - labour, suckling, physical touch and social contact - and there is no evidence magnesium influences that release.
- titration
- Not applicable
- starting dose
- Not applicable as an established treatment
Evidence
What the studies say
Magnesium supplementation and subjective anxiety: a systematic review
Boyle NB, Lawton C, Dye L
Existing evidence is suggestive of a beneficial effect of Mg on subjective anxiety in anxiety vulnerable samples. However, the quality of the existing evidence is poor.
Magnesium status and neuroendocrine regulation of social and stress hormones: a review of clinical evidence
Boyle NB, Lawton C, Dye L
Magnesium produced modest reductions in subjective anxiety and stress-hormone reactivity
Safety
Caveats
Choose magnesium for sleep, cramps or anxiety — not for oxytocin. Reduce dose in kidney impairment.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.