Magnesium and Dreams
Magnesium has some incredibly interesting effects on sleep quality. In this double-blind placebo controlled study, magnesium improved many measures of sleep quality in elderly with insomnia. Magnesium appears to have effects on metabolic timekeeping in animal and plant cells. It’s likely important in maintaining circadian rhythm. There are even associations between low magnesium intake and depression.
But what effect does magnesium have on your dreams?
The Effects of Magnesium on Dreams
Unfortunately, there aren’t any formal studies on a connection between dreams and magnesium. But, there seems to be plenty of anecdotal evidence. Any cursory search turns up tons of forum posts and reddit threads talking about the ‘insane’ dreams that people get after taking a magnesium supplement. Some even suggest that it improves the vividness and recall of their dreams.
I’ve been having repeated bouts of crazy dreams. Often they go bad and I wake up at three in the morning. Two nights ago it was zombie apocalypse type stuff. Yesterday some super creepy possessed doll stuff got me. I’m writing this now at 3:30 am after having been unable to outrun an angry, anthropomorphic grizzly bear.
u/sirbrachthepale
So it seems at least anecdotally that magnesium has a significant effect on dream quality and quantity.
Why Magnesium May Affect Dreams
Magnesium plays an important role in how your body handles calcium and vitamin D. However, magnesium’s effect on dreaming is not perfectly understood. It’s possible that vivid dreams are a side effect of the improved sleep quality. If a sleeper reaches deeper levels of REM sleep, this may result in the vivid and ‘crazy’ dreams.
How Much Magnesium is Needed to Affect Dreams?
The dosage for an adult male for sleep is around 300mg. Higher dosages can cause nausea or cramps. Remember to always check with your physician when changing your supplements, even when supplementing magnesium for dreaming purposes.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Taking Magnesium To Affect Dreams?
High dosages of magnesium can cause nausea, headaches and muscle paralysis. Always be sure to monitor your own health if you’re changing your supplement regimen without the supervision of a professional.
Conclusion
It seems that there’s a clear association between magnesium supplementation and sleep quality. There is also however a less explored connection between magnesium and dream quality and content. Magnesium may be a supplement to consider if you’re looking to improve dream recall and clarity.
