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Natural Stack’s MagTech is a supplement with three magnesium compounds that they claim to have the highest absorption rate and more importantly, they’re meant to support brain health and improve your sleep.
But can this formula deliver on these promises, or is it just a shrewd marketing strategy from the Natural Stacks brand? What is the evidence behind it and what is the feedback from those who have tried it?
In this article, I’ll be looking at the scientific literature and help you understand whether or not the claims for MagTech are legit.
Main Takeaways
- Some research suggests that magnesium might help with sleep and brain functions, but it’s not set in stone. Some studies showed it could help, especially if someone wasn’t getting enough magnesium to begin with. But in other studies, those who were healthy and didn’t lack magnesium didn’t see much change.
- The customer reviews on retailers such as Amazon and Walmart are mostly positive, with many users reporting improved sleep and cognitive function after taking the supplement. However, there are also users who didn’t notice significant changes.
- One bottle of Natural Stacks MagTech costs roughly $30, translating to $1 per serving. Given that this supplement’s supposed benefits derive from magnesium (in spite of its different forms), I personally think it’s quite steep.
What’s In MagTech?
MagTech comes across as a nootropic supplement, mainly because Natural Stacks seems to advertise it as such.
A quick glance at their official website and you’ll see the several claims they make regarding this supplement.
They claim that MagTech enables you to fall asleep faster, think more clearly, and experience improved short-term and long-term memory. Some bold claims, eh?
So, what does the supplement contain that Natural Stacks is able to promise its customers such benefits?
The ingredients in MagTech are:
– Magnesium L-Threonate
– Magnesium Glycinate
– Magnesium Taurate
In other words, these are three different magnesium compounds, but from what I can tell, it’s basically the mineral magnesium, just in modified forms.
What’s Magnesium And What Role Does It Play?
Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and ninth in the known universe as a whole. Magnesium ions are found in every cell in the human body, making it an essential mineral for life.
In human health, magnesium plays a significant role. The human body contains about 25 grams of magnesium. Over 50% of that is stored in the skeletal system, while the rest is found in muscles, soft tissues, and bodily fluids.
Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions within the body, including metabolism, protein synthesis, neurotransmitter release, cell growth and reproduction, DNA and RNA synthesis, and stabilizing mitochondrial membranes.
It is also critical for brain function, sleep, and mood, which is what we want to know more about.
How Does Magnesium Affect Cognition and Sleep?
Magnesium is essential for the well-being of our brain cells. It acts as a gatekeeper, controlling how much calcium enters these cells.
Too much calcium can lead to hyperactivity in these cells, which can cause problems like ADHD. For instance, in cases of hyperexcitability, such as ADHD, adequate Magnesium levels can help regulate neural activity and improve focus.
In a study where individuals with ADHD were given Magnesium supplements, their ability to focus improved. (source)
It doesn’t stop there. Some research points to a relationship between Magnesium and depression with people experiencing depression sometimes having lower Magnesium levels, albeit not always. (source, source) Some studies also indicate that Magnesium supplementation can improve their mood, however, more research is required to fully assess this effect. (source)
Moreover, Magnesium seems to aid memory, which seemingly aligns with the information stated by Natural Stacks, however, there’s not much evidence on humans, so you can call it low-quality data.
Experiments on rodents have shown that an increased intake of Magnesium can enhance their memory. (source)
Beyond cognition, the link between Magnesium and sleep is apparent in its connection with our sleep patterns. For example, people who consume less Magnesium in their diet tend to have a delayed sleep midpoint, meaning they go to sleep and wake up later. (source)
Interestingly, the lack of sleep can also impact your Magnesium levels.
In an experiment where people were intentionally deprived of sleep (only allowed to sleep 80% of their normal sleep length) for four weeks, their Magnesium levels dropped by 3.5%. (source)
It seems that Magnesium impacts sleep by enhancing slow-wave sleep, the deepest phase of non-REM sleep that is crucial for memory consolidation and physical restoration.
There are a few studies where Magnesium played a role in ameliorating sleep patterns.
For example, a study with healthy older adults taking effervescent Magnesium (starting from 10mmol and working up to 30mmol) over 20 days led to a 63.3% increase in slow-wave sleep. This wasn’t the only benefit. These older adults also experienced reduced sleeping cortisol levels, a hormone that can interfere with sleep. As a result, their sleep patterns, which often change with age, became more normal. (source)
There was a different study conducted with people around the age of 59 who were not getting enough Magnesium (only 265-350mg, less than the Estimated Average Requirement) through their diets saw improvements in their sleep quality after