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Comment by leetrout | Hacker News Reader

Similar for me.

I'll add that I take a small magnesium supplement mid to late afternoon as well which helps me relax and if dreams are any indication of deeper sleep I have many more memorable dreams when I'm taking magnesium.

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I 100% shill for magnesium when I can, and sleep is a huge reason in my experience. I was recommended it by others for sleep, and I have got a lot of people started. Within a few days our sleep is just so much better, including deeper dreams. I do 100mg lysinate glycinate. My brand's bottle recommends two per serving, but one has worked great. I take it right before bed and have never looked back.

Dreams are an indication of REM sleep, but improvement in REM may be a general indication that you're getting overall better sleep, including deep sleep.

I also take Magnesium and swear by it. I also suspect I have some underlying kidney issues retaining many electrolytes and started taking a potassium with the magnesium at bedtime and it has transformed my sleep into baby-land. I sleep so hard now and when I wake up, I have no problem getting right back to sleep. I feel so refreshed the next day it is honestly shocking to me. I have always said that before I started taking both that I felt like I was on a one-way track to dementia. That is just how I felt. Very anecdotal, but I believe it in my bones.

How much of each are you taking? Are you taking any blood pressure medications?

No blood pressure meds.

I take about 150MG of magnesium and 100mg of potassium before bed. The magnesium is Chloride, but in liquid form and causes no laxative effect (but tastes terrible!). It is a product called ReMag. I am sure other forms will work just as well. The potassium is Gluconate as it is PH neutral. Potassium Citrate and Chloride would work just as well. I just get the Gluconate from Walmart as it is cheap and effective.

Magnesium makes it worse for me because you have to pee out a bunch of minerals.

What form of magnesium?

I use a powdered drink called 'Calm'. It's got a bit of a berry flavor to it. Start with a small amount though or you'll be shitting your pants. There are a lot of studies showing magnesium levels are far too low in people anyway so it's a good idea to supplement it.

Magnesium glycinate is typically recommended, but any form that doesn't upset your stomach is probably good.

Magnesium L-Threonate (a.k.a. magtein) supposedly crosses the blood-brain barrier better than any other form of magnesium.

I've read that Magnesium L-Threonate is better taken in the morning to help your brain function better during the day. So, I take this in the morning and Mg glycinate at night.

I currently use magnesium oxide in a tablet form (I use half a tablet, ~125mg). I have previously used magnesium glycinate but I don't remember what dose I used of that.

I'll add, the mag oxide always prevents leg cramps when I take a full tablet (250mg) when I am working outside all day (and staying hydrated).

ETA: In my experience magnesium citrate is the one mostly likely to cause diarrhea though they all can.

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