I generally average about 6 hours of sleep a night but occasionally get around 7. My doctor suggested trying magnesium and I tried it for three nights. First two nights I didn’t see any change. The third night I took it and dozed off on the couch. After about an hour, I woke up and went to bed, but could not get back to sleep and was up all night. The next night, I slept a little over 7 hours. Has anyone else had this experience? I’m leary of trying again. Thanks.
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Hi! Thanks so much for sharing, it sounds like your experience with magnesium has been a bit unpredictable, which is actually not uncommon. Some people notice immediate effects, while others may feel temporary disruptions as their body adjusts. Magnesium can help with relaxation and sleep, but results vary depending on the form, timing, and your own physiology.
For sleep support, magnesium glycinate is usually recommended because it’s gentle and promotes relaxation. Magnesium citrate can also help, but may sometimes upset the stomach. Taking it 1–2 hours before bed is often ideal. Start with a low dose and see how your body responds over a few nights rather than just one.
It’s understandable to feel hesitant after your previous experience. If you do decide to try again, keeping the dose small, consistent, and pairing it with good sleep habits (like a dark, cool room and winding down without screens) may help improve results. And of course, check in with your doctor if you have ongoing concerns—they can help guide which form and dose are best for you. Best of luck 
What about Magnesium Oxide; does it help with sleep or is glycinate or citrate better?
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Hi Patti! Great question. Magnesium can support sleep, but the type matters. Magnesium glycinate is generally the best choice for sleep because it’s well-absorbed and has a calming effect on the nervous system. Magnesium citrate can also help, though it may have a mild laxative effect in some people. Magnesium oxide is less easily absorbed, so it’s usually not the most effective option if your main goal is improving sleep. If you decide to try magnesium, starting with a low dose about 1–2 hours before bed and pairing it with good sleep habits can make a noticeable difference. And as always, check with your doctor if you have any underlying health conditions or take other medications. Wishing you restful nights ahead! 
I had a very similar experience with melatonin, although I tried different dosages. I take magnesium bisglycinate two hours before and it has been helping. I guess people are different and we have to try for yourself. I should tell you that duscusding my sleep issues with chatGPT has been of enormous help. I aldo take other suppléments like GABA and glycine but there’s a schedule for all this. Trial and error is the way to go.
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