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If there was a viral powder that could help you fall asleep and actually get a good night’s sleep, would you take it? Well, we did.
For the Cut Shop’s Sleep Week, Cut staffers tested out Moon Juice’s Magnesi-Om powder, which, according to the brand’s site, will enhance feelings of calm, improve your mood, reduce muscle aches, and soothe and alleviate mild bloating during PMS.
It might sound like another social-media-spawned health trend, especially after the rise of the “sleepy-girl mocktail” coined by wellness influencer Gracie Norton. It turns out much of the population isn’t meeting the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for magnesium, and most cases of magnesium deficiency are undiagnosed. The more you know!
@gracie_norton the only time i struggle with sleep is right at the end of my luteal phase! This is working WONDERS!! 💛 (not something im planning on drinking every single night, just near the end of my luteal phase! #healthyhabits #mocktails #bettersleep #sleep
♬ The Lazy Song - GYU
But why magnesium? We talked to an expert to break down the benefits (and downsides) of this supplement. They also explained if magnesium should be part of your nightly routine, and insights on how it works.
So, what do you need to know abOut magnesium?
➼ FAQs
➼ Reviews
➼ Our experts
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Reviews
Brooke LaMantia, editorial assistant
Usual sleep pattern: My sleeping pattern changes frequently, but usually it’s from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
What were you hoping the product would do? I have a hard time relaxing at night and turning my brain off, and I was hoping this would help.
Did you feel noticeable results? I didn’t feel any significant difference, but I slept great. When I drink this at night, it signals that it’s time to unwind, and I love the ritual of it.
How did you drink it? I mix it into a Mason jar of water or, if I’m feeling extra fancy, I make a mocktail with tart cherry juice and an Olipop (lemon-lime flavor), and then add the magnesium.
For how long did you test it? Three months.
Have you tried other magnesium products before? How does this one compare? I’ve tried other supplements that help you sleep, like melatonin. I prefer the ritual of drinking this at night, especially if I’m trying to get more water. Plus, it fully dissolves and tastes yummy.
Would you recommend it? Yes.
Danya Issawi, fashion writer
Usual sleep pattern: 12:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.
What were you hoping the product would do? Help me fall asleep earlier, or at least help me feel tired. Nighttime is, unfortunately, when my brain asks the age-old question: “Hey, girl, what if we researched everything/anything that comes to mind?” Recently, I fell down a YouTube rabbit hole on Beatrix Potter (the creator of Peter Rabbit) until about 2 a.m.
Did you feel noticeable results? Yes. I will say, it didn’t make me feel tired earlier than my usual bedtime like I was hoping, but when I fell asleep, I had an extremely restful night.
How did you drink it? I only used half a teaspoon of the product in hot water. I usually mixed with some peppermint tea and honey about an hour before bedtime.
For how long did you test it? About two months.
Have you tried other magnesium products before? How does this one compare? Yes, but I hated the taste of the other one so much I never used it.
Would you recommend it? Yes.
Morgan Evans, writer
Usual sleep pattern: 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.
What were you hoping the product would do? I’m a very light sleeper. I wake up easily and often in the middle of the night, and it’s hard for me to fall back asleep. So I was hoping for this to help me fall asleep faster and get a more restful sleep throughout the night.
Did you feel noticeable results? Yes. The first few times I took it, I felt naturally tired about 15–20 minutes after consumption. I felt this wave of relaxation and overall “eyes heavy, time for bed” sleepiness. While it did help with falling asleep, it still wasn’t the key to staying asleep. I still had some pretty restless nights and found myself waking up at random hours.
How did you drink it? I kept it simple and stirred one tablespoon into a warm glass of water. I wanted to feel the full effects of the juice on its own before jazzing up the sleep cocktail in any way.
For how long did you test it? A month.
Have you tried other magnesium products before? How does this one compare? In the past, I’ve tried mineral pills from brands like Calm, recommended by my psychiatrist. Those didn’t work for me, but this form of magnesium had more of an immediate effect when it came to falling asleep than the pills.
Would you recommend it? If you want a product for winding down before you go to bed, yes. However, if you’re looking for something that can perpetuate a full night’s rest, I don’t know if this is for you, since it wasn’t for me.
Chinea Rodriguez, shopping writer
Usual sleep pattern: 12 a.m. to 8 a.m.
What were you hoping the product would do? I usually have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep, so I was hoping to fall asleep sooner without tossing and turning and avoid waking up in the middle of the night.
Did you feel noticeable results? Yes. The first time I took it, I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. Over time, it made me feel sleepy and more relaxed, but not as tired as the first time. I slept well and throughout the night without getting up. I was also warned it would give me weird dreams, and it did make my dreams feel longer and more intense most nights, but they were rarely disruptive. Dreams about failing math and having to go back to high school are a small price to pay for a better night’s sleep.
How did you drink it? I actually dislike the way this tastes (sorry!), so finding the right water-to-powder ratio to make it tolerable was key. Luckily, I had the stick packs, so I was able to add some extra water to the exact serving to suit my taste. I would mix it in a Visp mixer to make sure it was fully dissolved and drink it at least an hour before bed.
For how long did you test it? Two weeks.
Have you tried other magnesium products before? How does this one compare? I’ve tried a few drinks and sprays, but the results from this one felt more immediate.
Would you recommend it? Yes.
Bindu Bansinath, staff writer
Usual sleep pattern: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
What were you hoping the product would do? I wake up frequently in the middle of the night or too early and rarely get restful sleep as a result. I wanted to improve the quality of the sleeping hours I do get.
Did you feel noticeable results?: Though I’m still waking up earlier than I would like, I’m waking up less in the middle of the night — maybe one time instead of three times, which is a huge improvement. I’m falling and staying asleep earlier, and I do feel like the hours I am getting are of higher quality. I’m not waking up wishing I could go back to bed, which is great.
How did you drink it? The cherry powder has a bit of a cherry cough-syrup taste to it, so I just mix it in water and toss it back. I do love the taste of the Magnesi-OM variety, though it’s less of a sleep agent.
For how long did you test it? Three weeks.
Have you tried other magnesium products before? How does this one compare? I tried a random brand off Amazon once, but I didn’t stay consistent. I liked that I could add this one to my nightly wind-down regimen. I’ve more or less gotten used to the taste.
Would you recommend it? Yes.
Emily Leibert, writer
Usual sleep pattern: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
What were you hoping the product would do? I’ve always struggled to fall asleep. I’m also not a morning person, and I wake up feeling groggy regardless of how much sleep I get. Fun little contradiction. Once I’m out, I’m typically out cold, so I’m always looking for something that can ease me into sleep without making mornings more of a nightmare than they already are. It has to hit just the right balance: Give me something as strong as NyQuil, and I’m sleeping until noon.
Did you feel noticeable results? I’m not sure. After a particularly harrowing bout of insomnia earlier this year, my mom recommended I try RYZE Mushroom Hot Cocoa, and it worked miracles for me. But in order to properly test Moon Juice, I quit my beloved nighttime hot chocolate and tried to start fresh. Had I not come directly off of a product that already worked well for me, I might’ve been more impressed by Moon Juice’s efficacy. I typically drank the Magnesi-Om concoction an hour before I got in bed, and it was a great way to kick-start my nighttime ritual — a loud signal to my body that said, “Hey, it’s time to attempt rest … or whatever.” I did notice a blanket sense of calm wash over me, but I’m not sure I’d identify the feeling as “sleepy.” It still took me a couple of episodes of Gossip Girl in bed to get tired.
How did you drink it? I mixed it with ice and water, and that was yummy enough for me.
For how long did you test it? One month.
Have you tried other magnesium products before? How does this one compare? As I mentioned, RYZE Mushroom Hot Cocoa is my ride-or-die. The biggest difference between the two products was the strength of sleepiness. For me, Magnesi-Om puts me at ease, while RYZE actually helps put me to sleep.
Daisy Leepson, associate photo editor
Usual sleep pattern: 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.
What were you hoping the product would do? I hoped to be able to hit pause and get into a sleepy, less anxious state before going to bed.
Did you feel noticeable results? Yes and no. As a self-described beverage girl, I am all for another drink to add to the rotation. The first Moon Juice sleepy-girl magnesium mocktail I cheffed up, I was shocked to find myself feeling, dare I say … relaxed and sleepy.
How did you drink it? One serving of the Magnesi-Om, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, seltzer, five medium square ice cubes, a splash of tart cherry juice, and this straw.
For how long did you test it? Three weeks.
Have you tried other magnesium products before? How does this one compare? Nope! I am now on the grind and eager to try more Moon Juice products, though.
Would you recommend it? Yes.
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FAQs
What is magnesium?
According to Todd Dorfman, M.D., chief medical officer at Rebalance Health and a hormone-management specialist, magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a critical role in over 300 (!) enzymatic reactions in the body. It’s involved in muscle and nerve function, blood-sugar regulation, blood-pressure control, and bone health. It also helps with protein synthesis, DNA formation, and energy production.
What are the key benefits of taking magnesium?
Besides improving sleep and reducing stress and anxiety, Dorfman also shares that it supports your muscles by helping prevent cramps and spasms, helps regulate your blood, aids in bone health alongside calcium and vitamin D, and regulates your blood sugar.
Any potential downsides?
A few. You can take a bit too much magnesium. How will you know? Well, you’d be taking multiple trips to the bathroom. According to Dorfman, it can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Plus, though rare, if you overdose, it can also lead to low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and even cardiac arrest in extreme cases. All that to say, please consult with your doctor before adding this supplement to your diet because it can also interfere with any antibiotics, diuretics, and osteoporosis medications you may be taking.
You don’t want to try a powder. What are other good sources of magnesium?
It’s time for a grocery run. Add these to your list next time: nuts, seeds, leafy greens, whole grains, legumes, fish, dark chocolate, and dairy.
What are some signs of magnesium deficiency?
If you often experience muscle cramps, twitches, or spasms; are constantly fatigued; have a loss of appetite; experience tingling in your hands and feet; and find your mood is all over the place, Dorfman shares these are signs that you may have a magnesium deficiency and recommends you see your doctor to get properly tested.
How much magnesium does one really need?
It depends. Dorfman shared that women should take around 310–320 mg/day, while pregnant women should take around 350–360 mg/day. However, it will all depend on the results of your studies.
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Our experts:
- Todd Dorfman, M.D., chief medical officer at Rebalance Health and hormone-management specialist
