After enduring weeks of disrupted sleep, consistently waking in the early hours, I decided to take action. Despite already implementing evening routines like switching to decaf tea from lunchtime and enjoying a bath with chamomile tea before bed, the issue wasn't falling asleep—it was staying asleep throughout the night.
The Magnesium Recommendation
A friend suggested trying magnesium, noting its reputed benefits for sleep. Magnesium is said to help maintain normal energy release, reduce tiredness and fatigue, and support normal muscle function, psychological and nervous system function, as well as bone and teeth health. Intrigued, I began researching but quickly became overwhelmed by the options.
The market presented a confusing array: glycinate, bisglycinate, or standard magnesium? Dosages of 375mg or 600mg? Supplements with added vitamins or without? And was there a significant difference between a £20 product and a £3 alternative? To cut through the confusion, I embarked on a personal trial, testing five different magnesium supplements purchased from Holland & Barrett, Boots, and Morrisons over several months.
New Nordic Magic Magnesium Glycinate 600mg
Price: £20.59 for 60 tablets from Holland & Barrett (34p per tablet, 68p per day as two tablets are recommended).
Details: Manufactured in Sweden, this product provides 240mg of elemental magnesium per daily dose, along with a vitamin B complex, vitamin D, and a herbal combination extract.
Experience: On the first night, I still woke at 4am but managed to drift back to sleep quickly. Mornings felt refreshing, and I noticed muscle relaxation. However, the night-time awakenings persisted initially. After six days, I experienced two consecutive nights of uninterrupted sleep until my 6am alarm, which was wonderfully refreshing. Daytime post-work fatigue also diminished.
Drawback: Around ten days in, morning grogginess emerged. Adjusting to a single evening tablet a couple of hours before bed resolved this, leading to better sleep and daytime alertness, while also reducing cost.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
H&B Magnesium Bisglycinate 375mg
Price: £18.85 for 90 capsules from Holland & Barrett (21p per tablet per day, with a current 3 for 2 deal available).
Details: Designed to support healthy bones and muscle function, reduce tiredness and fatigue, and contribute to electrolyte balance. Each capsule contains 85mg elemental magnesium from 375mg magnesium bisglycinate and 95mg magnesium oxide.
Experience: This supplement suited me exceptionally well. For two weeks, I enjoyed beautiful, uninterrupted sleep each night and woke up feeling refreshed. Daytime energy levels also improved noticeably.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Vitabiotics Ultra Magnesium 375mg
Price: £5.75 for 60 tablets from Boots (10p per tablet, 20p per day as two tablets are advised).
Details: Vegan, gluten-free, and not tested on animals, this product provides 100% of the Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for magnesium per two tablets, with no artificial colours, preservatives, lactose, or yeast.
Experience: The first night brought great sleep straight through to 6am, with a refreshed morning. However, subsequent nights introduced tiredness after the evening dose, night-time awakenings, and daytime sleepiness. Adjusting to one tablet reduced morning tiredness but led to 4am awakenings.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
H&B Magnesium 375mg
Price: £4.25 for 30 tablets (14p per tablet per day), or £12.75 for 180 tablets (7p per tablet) from Holland & Barrett.
Details: Vegan-friendly, this supplement contributes to normal bones and muscles, helps reduce tiredness and fatigue, and supports energy release.
Experience: Surprisingly effective, this product allowed me to sleep through the night without aids like ear plugs or an eye mask for the first time. I felt energised both in the morning and afternoon consistently over a two-week period, all at a fraction of the cost of other options.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Morrisons Magnesium 375mg
Price: £3 for 45 tablets (7p per tablet per day) from Morrisons.
Details: Supports normal function of muscles and the nervous system, containing 375mg of magnesium per tablet.
Experience: This supplement didn't seem to significantly impact my sleep, but it's worth noting I was quite ill and taking antibiotics during this trial, which likely disrupted sleep independently.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
Overall Verdict
Two supplements stood out as particularly effective for my sleep: H&B Magnesium Bisglycinate 375mg and H&B Magnesium 375mg. Both consistently helped me sleep through the night. While the Bisglycinate version may have provided a slight edge in energy levels, the cost difference makes the standard H&B Magnesium 375mg an excellent value option. However, with Holland & Barrett's 3 for 2 offer, the Bisglycinate could be worth considering for those seeking potential extra benefits.
Disclaimer: Some items were gifted by Holland & Barrett, but all opinions are my own.
