Magnesium appears in all three Relapsd protocols in different forms. The form difference is not incidental-different magnesium compounds have different bioavailability and different tissue distribution.
What Magnesium Does That's Relevant to Cessation
NMDA receptor modulation: Magnesium is a natural NMDA receptor antagonist. It blocks the NMDA ion channel in a voltage-dependent manner-one of the mechanisms by which the brain regulates excitatory signaling. This is directly relevant to alcohol withdrawal (NMDA upregulation) and broadly relevant to the glutamate dysregulation of addiction.
GABA synthesis: Magnesium is a cofactor in the enzyme system that converts glutamate to GABA (glutamate decarboxylase). Adequate magnesium supports endogenous GABA production.
Sleep quality: Multiple RCTs show magnesium supplementation improves subjective and objective sleep quality. The primary mechanism is GABA-A modulation-magnesium potentiates GABA's inhibitory effect, promoting sleep onset and maintenance.
Cortisol and HPA axis: Magnesium deficiency is associated with elevated cortisol responses to stress. Adequate magnesium buffers the HPA response. This is relevant to all three substance cessations, where stress-induced relapse risk is high.
Muscle relaxation: Magnesium's calcium channel blocking properties reduce muscle tension and tremor-relevant for nicotine and particularly alcohol withdrawal.
Why the Form Matters
Elemental magnesium is not well-absorbed as a standalone supplement. It requires a chelating molecule to be bioavailable. The choice of chelating molecule determines:
- How much magnesium is absorbed
- What tissue it preferentially reaches
Magnesium Glycinate: Magnesium chelated to glycine. Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and amino acid with its own calming effects. Magnesium glycinate is well-absorbed, bioavailable, and well-tolerated. It does not specifically target the CNS more than peripheral tissues. Used in NIC and DRY protocols for sleep quality and muscle relaxation.
Magnesium L-Threonate: Magnesium chelated to L-threonate, a derivative of Vitamin C. L-threonate was specifically identified by MIT researchers as a carrier that allows magnesium to efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier. CNS magnesium levels increase measurably with L-threonate supplementation, unlike other forms. RCTs show cognitive benefits (memory, processing speed) specific to this form. Used in the GREEN protocol specifically because cannabis withdrawal's cognitive and sleep effects are CNS-specific.
Magnesium Oxide: Cheap, poorly absorbed, primarily acts as a laxative. Not in any Relapsd protocol.
Deficiency Prevalence
Approximately 50-60% of Americans consume less than the Recommended Daily Allowance of magnesium from food. Substance users-whose diet is often compromised-have higher deficiency rates. Alcohol specifically increases magnesium excretion; DRY protocol users are particularly likely to be deficient.
Dosing
NIC Protocol: Magnesium Glycinate 400mg before bed. GREEN Protocol: Magnesium L-Threonate 2000mg before bed (this is the elemental magnesium equivalent of approximately 200mg from the L-threonate chelate; the 2000mg refers to the compound weight, not elemental magnesium). DRY Protocol: Magnesium Glycinate 500mg before bed.
The before-bed timing is consistent across protocols because sleep support is the primary clinical target.