Magnesium: A Key Ally During Ketamine Therapy

Magnesium and ketamine share an important connection in the brain. Both act on NMDA receptors, which help regulate how nerve cells communicate and adapt. Ketamine temporarily blocks these receptors, helping “reset” overactive neural pathways linked to depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. Magnesium is the body’s natural NMDA receptor modulator—it keeps these same receptors from becoming overstimulated. When magnesium levels are low, patients may experience heightened anxiety, muscle tension, or brain “fog,” which can make ketamine treatments less smooth or restorative.

By supporting balanced NMDA receptor activity, magnesium may help the brain integrate the neuroplastic effects of ketamine more effectively, promoting calm and emotional resilience in the days following treatment. It may also help reduce muscle soreness, restlessness, or mild headaches that some patients experience after sessions. For many patients, gentle supplementation (often with magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate) before and during a ketamine treatment series can provide subtle but meaningful benefits—supporting both the physiologic and psychological aspects of healing.