What is it?
What is Magnesium Chloride?
1Magnesium chloride is an inorganic magnesium salt with the molecular formula MgCl2. PubChem identifies magnesium and chloride components and lists magnesium dichloride as its systematic name.
Names, aliases and forms
Mechanisms of action
Mechanism and cognitive relevance
2The cited cognitive review does not establish a cognitive mechanism or nootropic benefit for magnesium chloride. A chemical salt name alone is not evidence of cognitive efficacy.
Potential effects and evidence map
Magnesium chloride has no established nootropic benefit. A 2024 systematic review found the randomized-trial evidence on magnesium supplements insufficient for cognitive conclusions; it does not establish a cognitive effect for this specific magnesium form.
Evidence is insufficient to draw cognitive conclusions for magnesium supplements and does not establish a focus or attention effect for magnesium chloride.
Typical dosages and timing
The reviewed evidence does not establish a general dosage for cognitive performance with magnesium chloride.
Timing & effect horizon
No onset, peak, or duration has been established for a cognitive effect of magnesium chloride.
Safety, side effects and risk profile
High intakes of magnesium from dietary supplements and medications can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping.
The risk of magnesium toxicity increases when impaired kidney function reduces the ability to remove excess magnesium.
Magnesium can reduce absorption of oral bisphosphonates and form insoluble complexes with tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics.
At high supplemental or medication intakes, NIH ODS lists diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping among magnesium's gastrointestinal effects.
Interactions and cautions
NIH ODS flags timing and absorption interactions between magnesium and oral bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, and quinolone antibiotics. Ask a clinician or pharmacist about regular medicines.
How it compares
Magnesium chloride is the magnesium-and-chloride salt. Its chemical identity distinguishes it from other magnesium salts, but does not itself establish a nootropic difference.
Practical buying and quality notes
- A current DailyMed label describes one oral dietary-supplement product as containing magnesium chloride hexahydrate. Product labels can differ by hydrate form and elemental-magnesium amount, so read the specific Supplement Facts panel.3
FAQ
Is magnesium chloride a nootropic?
2No established nootropic benefit has been shown for magnesium chloride. The cited systematic review found the randomized-trial evidence on magnesium supplements insufficient for cognitive conclusions and did not test this form specifically.
References
- PubChem. Magnesium Chloride (CID 5360315): identity, molecular formula, synonyms, and component compounds. Accessed 2026-08-21.
- Chen F, Wang J, Cheng Y, et al. Magnesium and Cognitive Health in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Advances in Nutrition. 2024;15(8):100272. doi:10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100272. PMID: 39009081.
- DailyMed. MAG64 magnesium chloride delayed-release tablet: U.S. oral dietary-supplement label, updated 2025-12-10. Accessed 2026-08-21.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium: Health Professional Fact Sheet. Updated 2026-01-06. Accessed 2026-08-21.