Life Extension is one of the most established supplement companies in the world, and many people are most familiar with them for their range of standard vitamins and minerals. But the company also produces several nootropics stacks and mineral-based supplements.
One of those is Neuro-Mag (click for the best price), a form of magnesium that the manufacturer claims has specific brain boosting benefits. We had two of our intrepid testers try Neuro-Mag for 30 days. Read below to see what they had to say, including how the supplement performed on its own and stacked with other nootropics.
Neuro-Mag By Life Extension Label
The Ingredients
- Active Ingredients: Magnesium (from 2000 mg Magtein magnesium L-threonate) – 144 mg
Magnesium is one of the minerals many Westerners (especially Americans, and ESPECIALLY active exercisers and athletes) are deficient in. It plays important roles in muscular health, sleep, and brain function. But magnesium comes in many different compounds and forms. - Magnesium threonate is the form of dietary magnesium most closely associated with improved brain health in recent research, largely due to its somewhat unique ability to easily cross the blood-brain barrier; magnesium in most other forms has more difficulty reaching the brain. The form of Magnesium Threonate in the study summary linked above, Magtein, is the same found in Life Extension’s Neuro-Mag.
- Other Ingredients: vegetable cellulose (capsule), rice bran, stearic acid, silica.
Usage Guidelines
Take three (3) capsules daily with or without food, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner. Magnesium L-Threonate has less of a laxative effect than other forms of magnesium.
What Our Testers Say
“I took a 30-day course of Neuro-Mag, and I noticed several different, but pronounced, things. First, I slept slightly better throughout. This was a bit surprising, as the amount of elemental magnesium in Neuro-Mag is less than you’ll find in many sleep formulas. Focus and memory-wise, I really enjoyed this supplement. I felt less forgetful and sharper even when not pairing it with other nootropic formulas. I especially enjoyed pairing this with supplements that contained Rhodiola, like Neurofuse (or just plain Rhodiola rosea). When I paired the two, I felt primed and ready to take on a number of stressful tasks.”
“My sleep improved a bit here, but maybe not quite as much as when taking a form of magnesium meant for relaxation (like one would find in Natural Calm). I liked Neuro-Mag and usually try to get some extra magnesium, so this seems like a decent way to do so with a brain-optimized form.”
BrainWiz Tips
- When starting magnesium supplementation, some people experience a laxative effect. This is less common with magnesium threonate, and neither of our testers experienced it.
- We recommend taking with food to avoid a potentially upset stomach.
- Neuro-Mag contains less than a recommended daily serving of magnesium, because the special form (threonate) contains less elemental magnesium than some other supplements. If you think you’re magnesium deficient, it’s worth consulting with your doctor.
Supplement Summary
Neuro-Mag is a straightforward way to supplement magnesium threonate, which both our testers felt boosted their focus and recall and also improved the effects of other nootropic stacks. It can be taken on its own and stacks well with other supplements we’ve tested. Studies have linked supplementation of this form of magnesium with neuroprotective effects and improved brain health, especially in older subjects.
There are several other nootropic magnesium stacks on the market that include other forms of magnesium in addition to magnesium threonate; many contain a higher overall concentration of elemental magnesium, which has potential benefits beyond brain health. One of our favorites is currently MagTech, which we reviewed here.