What role does Magnesium play in stress?

Magnesium plays a key role in stress regulation, primarily through its involvement in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and neurotransmitter modulation. It acts as a natural NMDA receptor antagonist and supports GABAergic activity, promoting nervous system calmness. Evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency may increase stress susceptibility, and supplementation can reduce subjective stress and anxiety in some individuals. However, the evidence is moderate: many studies are small, non-randomized, or show variable effects. Dietary magnesium from nuts, seeds, and leafy greens is preferable to high-dose supplements, which can cause gastrointestinal side effects. For chronic stress, magnesium should be part of a broader lifestyle approach. The provided context does not contain specific studies on magnesium and stress, so this answer relies on general physiological knowledge. Evidence grade: human-moderate.