Is taking a magnesium supplement safe?

Question

I read that it helps with migraines, so I've begun taking 250 mg a day...it does seem to help thus far, but it's been making me a little sleepy I think...could just be because of my already messed up sleeping schedule, but I just fell asleep around 8 PM randomly and didn't wake up til I got a phone call around 10 pm.

Answer 1

I don't consider taking any supplement to be safe.  Humans did not spend the last million years evolving their dietary habits around supplements. and there is no good standardization or efficacy testing for any of them.

Answer 2

A magnesium supplement is quite safe as it helps to overcome a magnesium deficiency that can cause migraines.  Drowsiness is not a side effect from magnesium.  Too much magnesium can cause the runs and abdominal cramping and a few other problems but 250 mg per day is quite OK.

Your drowsiness must be caused by something other than magnesium.  A web search for magnesium + "side effects" will give you further information.