
I Took Magnesium For 14 Days To Help With Sleep, And Here’s How It’s Going

Maybe it’s a sign of my age or just a sign of the times, but getting a good night’s rest has been a struggle. It’s not so much that I have trouble dozing off — I can do that in the middle of the day with the right cozy setup — but it’s staying asleep that’s the problem.
I’ll admit, I pop melatonin like candy some evenings just to get a head start on the long night ahead of me. At times, I’m tired enough to get myself to sleep without it, but with my anxious thoughts and wandering, the supplement-size support is needed.
Over time, I got to a place of frustration that made me want to explore alternative sleep remedies that could help put my mind at ease and keep me in a state of rest until the morning came. That’s when I discovered magnesium.
Benefits of Magnesium
Magnesium plays an essential role in the overall function of our bodies. It is an essential element involved in over 300 biochemical processes within the body and plays a crucial role in maintaining the regular function of nerves and muscles, the immune system, the heart, and bone health. Additionally, it contributes to the regulation of blood glucose levels and facilitates the production of both energy and protein.
Some studies claim that magnesium can act as a natural sleep aid in adults but only plays a supporting role in getting to sleep. Magnesium can help regulate neurotransmitters that are related to sleep, calm the nervous system, and tell our brains it’s time for rest — making it easier to fall asleep.
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My Bedtime Mocktail
In my case, I wanted to see what it would be like to whip up a bedtime mocktail with magnesium that could aid in my journey to better sleep, to which I looked no further than TikTok for inspiration.
For weeks, the viral Sleepy Girl Mocktails has been trending on TikTok, with claims that it would help put an end to bedtime insomnia and restlessness before bed. The three-ingredient drink, made up of Tart Cherry Juice, powdered magnesium, and a sweet beverage of your choice to add for taste, seemed easy enough to follow.
Tart Cherry Juice is said to support quality sleep as it contains melatonin and tryptophan — which the body uses to produce melatonin. Desperate for a solution, I decided to try it out for myself.
@yagirlaley this bedtime mocktail will have you out like a light 😴 #fyp #mocktails #magnesiumforsleep #soberliving #sobercurious #mocktailwithmagnesium #tartcherryjuice
The Experience
I first began taking this bedtime mocktail at the start of October as a part of my Sober October journey, and I have to say, the claims hold up. About 45 minutes before bed each night, I take my mocktail ingredients, mix up my drink, and take two melatonin capsules. The flavor is reminiscent of a flat cherry soda but goes down smoothly.
About 40 minutes into having the drink, I tend to feel my body go into a relaxed state, which is hard to come by with my racing mind. My thoughts become more paced, my body is at ease, and I soon find the weight of my eyes getting heavier, signaling me to prepare for sleep.
Once I’m fully asleep, I only find myself waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, but when I’m back in bed, it’s right to sleep I go. In the morning, I’m not met with that usual groggy feeling. Instead, I feel rested and ready to start my day.
Will I Keep Using it?
Absolutely. It’s nice to know that there’s a natural way to fall asleep that doesn’t leave me feeling disoriented in the morning. However, taking this bedtime mocktail is only half of what’s been helping me sleep better.
For starters, I bought an analog alarm clock to be my new way of waking up in the morning so that I didn’t feel the need to keep my phone next to me at night. Scrolling on my phone in the evenings used to be the catalyst to my insomnia, with the bright light from my screen keeping my brain wired and awake. With the alarm clock, I can now set my phone across the room and slip my mocktail without the distraction.
Also, finding a magnesium-based melatonin to take with the mocktail has worked wonders for helping me not only doze off but stay asleep.
So, if you’re someone who struggles with insomnia too, making a bedtime magnesium mocktail may just be the remedy you’ve been looking for. Be sure to consult with a doctor and, if taking magnesium, follow dosage recommendations.
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole