Can Magnesium L-Threonate Help Heal the Brain After a Concussion?
By: Joy Stephenson-Laws, Holistic Coach, J.D., Founder
If you or someone you love has had a concussion, you know how scary and frustrating it can be. The headaches, brain fog, mood swings, and memory problems can last for days, weeks, or even longer. While rest and time are important for recovery, many people are asking: is there something else that can help the brain heal faster?
Recent research suggests that a special kind of magnesium called magnesium L-threonate may support brain recovery after a concussion. In this blog, we’ll explain what magnesium L-threonate is, how it works in the brain, and what science says about its role in healing after head injuries. We’ll keep things simple, clear, and grounded in real scientific studies.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (often called mTBI). It can happen from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head—like falling, getting hit while playing sports, or being in a car accident. Even if you don’t lose consciousness, a concussion can still affect how your brain works.
Common symptoms include:
Headache
Dizziness
Confusion or “brain fog”
Memory trouble
Mood changes (like anger, sadness, or anxiety)
Slurred speech
Trouble sleeping
Most people recover from a concussion within a few weeks, but for some, the symptoms last much longer. This is called post-concussion syndrome.
Why Magnesium Matters for the Brain
Magnesium is a mineral your body needs for hundreds of different functions. It helps your heart beat, your muscles move, and your brain work properly.
In the brain, magnesium:
Protects nerve cells from overstimulation
Helps form and repair synapses (connections between brain cells)
Supports memory, learning, and mood
Helps control inflammation
After a concussion, your brain uses up magnesium very quickly. Studies in animals show that magnesium levels in the brain drop after head trauma. This drop can lead to more damage and slower healing. So the idea is: if we can raise magnesium levels in the brain, maybe we can speed up recovery.
But here’s the problem—most magnesium supplements don’t cross the blood-brain barrier. That’s a protective filter that keeps harmful substances out of the brain. Even good things, like regular magnesium, often can’t get through.
What Makes Magnesium L-Threonate Special?
Magnesium L-threonate (pronounced “three-oh-nate”) is a newer form of magnesium made by scientists at MIT. It’s created by combining magnesium with a compound called L-threonic acid, which is a byproduct of vitamin C.
Here’s why it’s special:
It can cross the blood-brain barrier
It raises magnesium levels in the brain, not just in the body
It improves learning, memory, and synapse strength in animal studies
In other words, this form of magnesium goes directly to where it’s needed most after a brain injury.
What Does the Research Say?
1. Animal Studies Show Brain Healing Benefits
In one study, rats who were given magnesium L-threonate had:
Higher brain magnesium levels
Better memory and learning
More connections between brain cells (synapses)
In another study, rats with brain injury who received magnesium L-threonate recovered faster and had less brain damage compared to untreated rats. The supplement helped protect brain cells from glutamate, a chemical that can build up and damage neurons after a concussion.
This suggests that magnesium L-threonate helps the brain defend itself and rebuild connections after trauma.
2. Human Studies Show Cognitive and Mood Improvements
While we still need more large clinical trials in people with concussions, some human studies are promising:
In one study, healthy older adults who took magnesium L-threonate for 12 weeks improved their memory and attention more than those who took a placebo.
In another study, adults with sleep problems who took magnesium L-threonate slept better and felt more alert, calm, and focused during the day.
A small study in teenagers who had a concussion found that those who took magnesium supplements recovered faster than those who didn’t. (Note: this study didn’t specify the type of magnesium, but it supports magnesium’s role in healing.)
These results show that magnesium L-threonate may help with brain fog, concentration, memory, and emotional stability, all of which are common problems after a concussion.
What About Speech Problems?
Slurred speech can happen after a concussion, especially in the first few days. While no studies have looked specifically at magnesium L-threonate and speech recovery, improving brain function overall may help.
Since magnesium L-threonate supports nerve health and communication between brain cells, it’s possible that it may help improve speech indirectly—by helping the brain repair the circuits involved in language and motor control. But more research is needed to say for sure.
Other Benefits for Concussion Recovery
Magnesium L-threonate may also help with:
✅ Mood and Anxiety
People recovering from concussions often feel anxious, depressed, or irritable. Magnesium is known to calm the nervous system and reduce stress. Studies show that magnesium L-threonate may improve mood and reduce emotional swings.
✅ Sleep
Sleep is key to brain healing. Magnesium supports restful sleep, and studies have found that magnesium L-threonate helps people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
✅ Inflammation
After a head injury, inflammation can damage brain cells and slow healing. Magnesium helps control inflammation. By raising brain magnesium levels, L-threonate may help the brain cool down and repair itself faster.
Is Magnesium L-Threonate Safe?
Yes, it’s considered safe for most people. It does not thin the blood or cause serious side effects when taken at normal doses.
Possible side effects may include:
Mild drowsiness
Stomach discomfort (rare)
Vivid dreams
Magnesium L-threonate is often better tolerated than other forms of magnesium like citrate or oxide, which can cause diarrhea.
Still, always talk to your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if:
You take other medications
You have kidney problems
You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
How Much Should You Take?
Most studies used doses of 1,000 to 2,000 mg of magnesium L-threonate per day, which delivers about 144 to 200 mg of elemental magnesium (the actual magnesium your body uses).
It’s usually taken in two doses—morning and evening. For brain recovery, many people prefer to take it in the evening to support sleep and overnight healing.
Look for products labeled “Magtein”, which is the trademarked form used in most research.
What About Other Forms of Magnesium?
Some other forms of magnesium are good for general health, but they don’t raise brain levels very well. These include:
Magnesium oxide (poor absorption)
Magnesium citrate (better, but mainly for constipation)
Magnesium glycinate (good for calming the body, but not as much for brain-specific support)
If you’re focusing on brain healing, magnesium L-threonate is the best option we currently have.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Trying?
Magnesium L-threonate won’t “cure” a concussion, and it’s not a replacement for rest, hydration, or medical care. But based on current research, it seems to offer real benefits:
Supports memory, focus, and learning
Helps repair brain cell connections
May improve mood, sleep, and recovery time
Is safe and well-tolerated for most people
If you’re dealing with post-concussion symptoms or just want to support your brain’s natural healing process, magnesium L-threonate is a promising, science-backed tool worth discussing with your doctor.
REFERENCES
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Hausenblas, H. A., et al. (2024). “Magnesium L-threonate and sleep improvement in adults with poor sleep quality.” Sleep Med X.
Kim, J. Y., et al. (2020). “Neuroprotective effects of magnesium L-threonate in hypoxic brain injury.” BMC Neuroscience.
Nourbakhsh, M., et al. (2023). “Nutritional Interventions in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review.” Nutrients.
Barbagallo, M., & Dominguez, L. J. (2010). “Magnesium and aging.” Current Pharmaceutical Design.