Let's Be Honest: 7 Magnesium Myths We Need to Clear Up

If you’ve ever fallen down an internet rabbit hole trying to figure out magnesium, you know how confusing it can be. One article says you absolutely must spray it on your feet, another says that's pointless. You read about "magnesium oil," hear people talking about Epsom salts, and see wild claims that feel a bit… much. It's enough to make you want to give up and just have a nap.

We get it. When you're just trying to find something to help you sleep better or soothe your aching muscles, the last thing you need is a science lecture full of conflicting information.

So, let's just talk it through. We're going to tackle eight of the most common magnesium myths we hear all the time, with simple, straightforward answers. No jargon, no hype. Just the honest truth so you can make choices that actually work for you.

Myth 1: "Magnesium is used in over 300 bodily processes"

You’ve probably seen this number everywhere. It’s meant to sound impressive, but it’s actually wrong.

The Truth: The number is much bigger, but the number isn't the point.

That "300 processes" figure is decades out of date. Scientists now estimate that magnesium is a helper molecule in 700 to 1,000+ different enzyme processes. In other words, it’s involved in about 80% of your body’s known metabolic functions.

But even that isn't what matters.

What matters is what those processes feel like. They're not just abstract numbers; they're the things that dictate your day-to-day energy, comfort, and calm.

When your muscles finally relax after a long day? That's magnesium at work. The process that helps turn your food into actual, usable energy? Magnesium is essential for that. That calm, settled feeling in your nervous system that lets you wind down for sleep? You can thank magnesium for that, too.

The takeaway: Don't get hung up on the number. Just know that from your energy levels to your sleep quality, magnesium is playing a vital role behind the scenes.

Myth 2: "All magnesium oil is the same"

This is a big one. You see a bottle labelled "magnesium oil" and assume it's all created equal. It couldn't be further from the truth.

The Truth: Where it comes from and how pure it is means everything.

First things first, "magnesium oil" isn't actually an oil. It's a highly concentrated solution of magnesium chloride and water that just happens to feel a bit oily on the skin. And where that magnesium chloride is sourced from matters. A lot.

Many sprays are made by simply mixing industrial-grade magnesium flakes (often from overseas) with water. It's a quick way to create a product, but you don't always know what you're getting.

That’s why we’re so specific about our sourcing. The magnesium in our Daily Magnesium Spray is harvested from pristine Australian Salt Lakes, which are renowned for their purity and isolation from modern contaminants. It’s then purified and tested, so you can trust what you're putting on your skin.

The takeaway: Look past the label "magnesium oil" and ask where it comes from. You deserve to know that what you're using is pure, potent, and clean.

Myth 3: "You have to spray magnesium on your feet for sleep"

This piece of advice is incredibly popular online. The logic seems to be that the soles of your feet can absorb it well, and because the skin is thick, you won't get that infamous tingle.

The Truth: There are much better, more effective spots.

The problem with this theory is that the very thickness of the skin on your soles makes it one of the hardest places to absorb anything effectively. While you might feel some results, you're probably not getting the most out of your spray.

A much better approach is to aim for areas with thinner skin and good blood flow. If you like the idea of targeting the nerves in your feet, try the tops of your feet instead. It's just as good without the slip factor or getting magnesium all over your bedsheets. For many people, the real sweet spot is the lower back and down the back of the legs, which can be fantastic for full-body relaxation.

The takeaway: For sleep, focus on the tops of your feet, your lower back, and your legs. You'll get better results and use less product.

Myth 4: "I'm allergic to magnesium"

If you've ever used a magnesium spray and felt a tingle or an itch, it's easy to jump to this conclusion. It's a completely understandable worry.

The Truth: It's almost certainly not an allergy, it's just a sign your body is really thirsty for it.

A true magnesium allergy is pretty much unheard of. Your body is full of magnesium and literally cannot function without it. That tingling sensation is a very common reaction, and it often happens when your body's magnesium levels are on the lower side. Your skin's receptors can be a bit more sensitive, and the magnesium gets to work very quickly, which can feel a bit intense.

The good news? For most people, the tingle dramatically lessens or disappears completely within a week or two of regular use as your levels build up.

The takeaway: Don't panic about the tingle. It's a sign your body really needs the magnesium. Work with your body, not against it, by applying it to damp skin or starting with a gentler formula, and the sensation will ease.

Myth 5: "I eat a healthy diet, so I get enough magnesium"

This should be true, shouldn't it? If you're eating your leafy greens, nuts, and seeds, you'd think you'd be getting all the magnesium you need. Unfortunately, that's no longer the case for most of us.

The Truth: Modern soil and food processing have changed the game.

Decades of intensive farming have left a lot of our agricultural soil depleted of essential minerals. The food grown in that soil simply doesn't contain the same level of nutrients it did for our grandparents. On top of that, food processing often strips magnesium out.

While a diet rich in wholefoods is the best foundation you can have, it's become very difficult to get all the magnesium your body needs from food alone, especially if you're stressed or active, both of which use up your magnesium stores faster.

The takeaway: Eating well is your first and best step. But if you're still feeling tight, tense, or tired, it's not a personal failure. It might just be that your body needs a little extra support.

Myth 6: "Epsom salts are the same as magnesium flakes"

This is an easy mistake to make. They're both salts you put in the bath to help you relax, so they must be the same thing, right?

The Truth: They are different chemical compounds entirely.

Think of it like this: a lemon and an orange are both citrus fruits, but they're not the same. It's a similar story here. Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate. Our Magnesium Bath Flakes are magnesium chloride. While both can help you relax in a warm bath, magnesium chloride is the form your body can use most readily, and many people find it feels more potent.

The takeaway: If you love your Epsom salt baths, keep enjoying them! But if you're looking for a more concentrated and easily absorbed form of magnesium for your bath, give magnesium chloride flakes a try.

Myth 7: "You lose 95% of magnesium when you take it orally"

You might see alarming statistics like this used as a scare tactic. The truth is a bit more nuanced, but oral magnesium definitely has its downsides.

The Truth: The real issue is the digestive journey and that laxative effect.

That "95% loss" claim is likely based on the worst-case scenario: taking a cheap form like Magnesium Oxide, which has a very low absorption rate. But the bigger problem for most people is practical. When you swallow a pill, it has to survive your entire digestive system. This can be a slow journey, and for many, it causes an upset stomach or that well-known laxative effect.

The takeaway: Topical magnesium is simply a more direct route. It bypasses your digestive system completely and gets to work right where you apply it, often within minutes.

Feeling Clearer?

The world of wellness can be a noisy place. Our hope is that by clearing up these myths, you feel less confused and more empowered. It's not about finding a single magic bullet; it's about understanding your options and finding the simple, honest tools that can help you feel just a little bit better, day by day.