I remember having powerful dreams when I began taking magnesium + zinc supplements (a doctor recommended them). The dreams were almost like feature-length movies, complete with plot, twists & turns and everything. I was looking forward to going to sleep, wondering what dream I would have.
I have now stopped taking supplements (trying to take my nutrients from natural sources), and the dreams have subsided. I still have them, but not as intense and complex as when I was taking the supplements. Or maybe I do have them, but can't remember them? It's interesting how a chemical change can affect you in different ways...
Interesting. Which type/form of zinc and magnesium and what was the dosage?
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I used Solgar's products. Specifically these:
Solgar Magnesium Citrate (200 mg) Tablets -- 2/day = 400 mg
Solgar Zinc Picolinate (22 mg) Tablets -- 1/day = 22 mg
I felt quite good while taking them. Not sure if it was a placebo effect, but I did experience the lucid dreams very intensely. I stopped taking them, due to some of my blood test results being a little on the high side, like SGOT/SGPT (liver enzymes). This could actually be related to some intense physical training exercises I was doing at the time, so maybe the supplements were not to blame. I may start them again and repeat the blood test to see.
Supplements are easy to take, but can't really substitute natural nutrient sources. But, oftentimes, lifestyle choices/constraints make it difficult to eat healthily, so in many cases supplements are the only option. One vitamin I can think of that falls in this category is vitamin D3. Next time you do a blood test, ask for a vitamin D3 test. You may be surprised at the results!
I see. Zinc picolinate is a very available form of zinc. As i need tp take zinc on a regular basis, i switched to zinc-gluconate because picolinate was more expensive, but it's really effective. As for Magnesium, i don't tolerate Citrate well, i get the shits from a normal dose, as with all minerals bound to Citrate, as well as Citric Acid.
You might be right with the physical exercise issue:
https://www.insidetracker.com/a/articles/muscle-damage-and-elevated-liver-enzymesWhen taking supplements, there are some advices best to follow:
1. Supplements are just what they are: Supplements, not Substitutes. You take them with your normal (or special) diet, not in place of it.
2. Be aware of reciprocity. For example, Vitamin C blocks Selenium, so it makes no sense to take both at the same time.
3. Don't replace whats more efficient. You don't need to take tons of different extracted or manufactured enzymes and amino acids, just eat enough eggs, which contain most essential of them. Iron is hard to absorb, you need vitamin C and the right proteins to boost your iron blood level. Ditch the Supps, eat red meat.
4. Avoid megadosed Supps. What your body doesn't absorb gets flushed down the toilet and may even do harm. No need for 4000% RDA Vitamin B12 tabs, 100-150% RDA will do.
I boost Vitamin D3 through increased Calcium in my diet and regular exposure of my skin to the sun. The blood value was really low when i suffered from chronic fatigue, back then. I didn't tolerate any of the D3 supps, they gave me heartbeat arrythmia, stiff muscles with a strong tendency to cramp and finally tendon and joint pains.
Docs suggested lack of Magnesium, but in the end the Calcium and sunlight threatment was the only thing that worked for me.
Most people react the same to Supps, but some do differently. I think you were sensible to Magnesium. When i take Magnesium (Orotate or Gluconate) in the evening, my dreams are more intensive and memorable, too, but not so much like you described.
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