Magtein · Magnesium Threonate
Magnesium L-threonate (marketed as Magtein) is a patented form of magnesium developed at MIT specifically to raise brain magnesium levels. Unlike other magnesium salts (citrate, glycinate, oxide), threonate is the only form demonstrated to significantly increase cerebrospinal fluid magnesium concentrations in animal studies. This is because the threonate moiety enhances magnesium transport across the blood-brain barrier.
Starting dose. 1000-2000mg — Magnesium threonate (providing 144mg elemental magnesium)
Split dosing recommended: 1 capsule in the morning, 2 capsules 1 hour before bed. The evening dose supports sleep. Can be taken with or without food.
Start here. Every protocol below is ordered lowest-first. Begin at the smallest effective dose, hold about a week to assess tolerance, and step up only if needed.
Magnesium L-threonate delivers magnesium across the blood-brain barrier more effectively than other magnesium salts. The threonate (a vitamin C metabolite) acts as a carrier molecule that enhances magnesium transport into the CNS. Once in the brain, magnesium exerts its effects primarily through NMDA receptor modulation.
Magnesium is a voltage-dependent blocker of the NMDA receptor ion channel. At resting membrane potential, magnesium blocks the channel, preventing calcium influx. During depolarization (synaptic activity), magnesium is expelled, allowing calcium entry and signal transmission. Optimal brain magnesium levels improve the signal-to-noise ratio of NMDA receptor activation - enhancing true synaptic signals while suppressing background noise. This improves long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), the cellular mechanisms of learning and memory.
Additionally, elevated brain magnesium increases synaptic density and the number of functional synaptic connections, particularly in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. It also reduces expression of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors (associated with background noise) while preserving NR2A-containing receptors (associated with synaptic plasticity), optimizing the receptor subunit ratio for cognitive function.
Week 1-2: Sleep improvement and mild relaxation. Brain magnesium levels beginning to rise.
Each reference below was re-fetched from its PubMed record, and the quoted sentence was confirmed to appear in that abstract and to support the claim it sits under. Follow any of them to read the source.
Evidence boundary from the checked abstract: Magnesium supplements mostly have low bioavailability, except magnesium L-threonate.
Magnesium supplements mostly have low bioavailability, except magnesium L-threonate.
Evidence scope. This entry supports only the exact statement quoted from the live abstract; it does not independently verify OnePin's displayed dose, route, frequency, formulation, population, or broader mechanism.
Claims we could not support
No abstract we checked supports these for this molecule at this route. That is not the same as saying they are false — it marks where the evidence is missing.
Dose/route: 1000-2000mg magnesium threonate (providing 144mg elemental magnesium); Oral; 1-2x daily. No checked live PubMed abstract verified this exact displayed dose, route, and frequency for the same molecule/formulation and relevant population.
Primary safety claim: Drowsiness or sedation (especially with evening dose - can be beneficial for sleep). No checked live PubMed abstract directly verified this source-JSON safety claim at the displayed formulation, route, and regimen.
Two different questions: what is documented about running these together, and what is documented about drawing them into the same syringe. A good pharmacological partner can still have to be pinned separately.
Check any specific pair in the Stack & Interaction Checker, which answers both questions separately. Absence of a documented conflict is not evidence of safety.
Not specifically characterized for threonate form. Magnesium body half-life is ~42 days (bone stores).
Oral (plasma magnesium peak). Brain magnesium elevation takes weeks of sustained supplementation.
Renal excretion of excess magnesium. Threonate metabolized as a carbohydrate.
Higher CNS bioavailability than other magnesium salts (demonstrated in animal CSF studies). Oral absorption estimated ~15-20% for elemental magnesium.
Acute relaxation/sleep effects: 4-8 hours. Cognitive benefits require weeks of sustained supplementation and persist as long as supplementation continues.
Renal (magnesium filtered and reabsorbed in kidneys, excess excreted). Threonate metabolized via standard carbohydrate pathways.
Storage. Store at room temperature (20-25C) in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture. Capsules are hygroscopic and should be kept in sealed containers. Shelf life typically 2 years from manufacture.
Classified as a dietary supplement in the US (not FDA-approved for any medical condition). GRAS status. Magtein is a patented form (US Patent 8,178,118). No prescription required. Widely available over the counter.
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