Magnesium: What It Is, Forms, Cautions, and Clean Brands
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in hundreds of processes in the body. It supports muscle function, relaxation, and sleep quality.*
Forms and what to look for on the label
Glycinate (gentle, calming), citrate (can loosen stools), threonate (marketed for the brain), and oxide (cheap and absorbs poorly).
Before you take it
High doses can cause loose stools. Check for added B6 in blends. Talk to your doctor if you have kidney disease.
What independent doctors say
On his Oct 22, 2026 episode, Dr. Andrew Huberman talked about magnesium for sleep. He named “magnesium threonate, which is interchangeable with magnesium bisglycinate.” He didn’t give a dose for magnesium in that episode. (Huberman Lab Essentials, Oct 22, 2026)
Dr. Peter McCullough wrote about the different forms in a Mar 13, 2026 post on The Focal Points about a branded electrolyte drink:
“Magnesium Glycinate promotes muscle relaxation and replenishment without the laxative effect associated with cheaper magnesium salts.” (The Focal Points, Mar 13, 2026)
