Magtein magnesium supplementation supports cognition, brain age, and sleep measures in new clinical trial

A recently published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial shows that Magtein, a proprietary form of magnesium from ThreoTech, demonstrates support for brain age, cognition, and sleep.¹ Magnesium is a mineral essential for many functions in the body, the study explains, though around half of the US population does not meet requirements for recommended daily intake.

The study, “The effects of magnesium L-threonate (Magtein®) on cognitive performance and sleep quality in adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,” was published in Frontiers in Nutrition in January 2026.

Study design

In this trial, 100 adults (age 18 to 45 years old) with self-reported dissatisfaction with sleep received either 2 g of Magtein (magnesium L-threonate) in capsules daily or a placebo for six weeks.

Changes in cognitive function were measured using the National Institute for Health (NIH) Cognitive Toolbox and Raven’s Progressive Matrices Version 2. Sleep quality and emotional wellbeing were measured through self-evaluations (PROMIS Sleep questionnaire). Physiological data, including heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), were measured using an Oura Ring, a wearable sleep-tracking device. A reaction time test was also completed.

Highlighted results

After six weeks, the supplement group demonstrated improvements compared with the placebo group:

• The supplement group was associated with an improvement in overall cognition performance
• The strongest effects on memory with participants taking Magtein were seen in working memory and episodic memory tests
• The supplement was associated with enhanced hand-eye performance
• For changes in cognitive age, participants in the supplement group were calculated to have experienced reduction of 7.5 years of aging
• No changes in sleep were reported from data from the Oura Ring, except for a decrease in HR and an increase of HRV

Based on the results, researchers concluded that Magtein supplementation was associated with improvements in cognitive performance, hand-eye coordination and reaction time, and subjective sleep evaluations.

Additionally, these results build on previous studies on Magtein for cognition in older adults. “While earlier studies have demonstrated that Magtein supports cognitive performance in older populations, this latest research confirms those benefits also extend to younger adults,” explained Jennifer Gu, PhD, SVP of R&D at Magtein, in a press release.² “It also highlights additional positive outcomes related to cognitive function, sleep-related measures, and physiological markers of neurological and heart health, including improved heart rate variability, which is demonstrated for the first time. Together, these findings build on a growing body of research supporting Magtein and further strengthen the scientific foundation behind its broad cognitive and neurological benefits.”

Magtein supplementation

In an interview with Nutritional Outlook at SupplySide Global 2025, , Laurentia Bliss, director of brand management at ThreoTech discussed the features of Magtein when formulating with magnesium.³ “When you're formulating with a magnesium there are many things you have to take into consideration, one of those being the delivery system you're looking at,” she explains. “Making sure you have a water soluble ingredient that's going to mix into beverages easily, a product that tastes good as well, but also the bioavailability – is the product actually going to get where you want it to be? All those things are really important to consider, and Magtein is a perfect solution for those things.”

Bliss noted that Magtein also has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier.

“As we look ahead, additional ongoing and upcoming studies will continue to expand our understanding of Magtein and its benefits,” Gu added. “The growing body of evidence supports its use in formulations designed to support healthy brain cognitive aging, stress resilience, and sleep.”

References

1. Lopresti, AL.; Smith, SJ. The effects of magnesium L-threonate (Magtein^®) on cognitive performance and sleep quality in adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Front. Nutr. 2026. 12:1729164. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1729164
2. ThreoTech. Magtein® Associated with Improvements in Cognition, Brain Age, and Physiological Stress Markers, Clinical Trial Finds. January 15, 2026. (Accessed 2026-01-15).
3. McEvoy, E. Magtein: ThreoTech’s magnesium innovation for cognitive support. November 10, 2025. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/magtein-threotech-s-magnesium-innovation-for-cognitive-support (Accessed 2026-01-15).