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13 Proven Magnolia Bark Benefits (Sleep, Withdrawal, Dosage)

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Table of Contents

What are the Benefits of Magnolia Officinalis (Bark Powder Extract) Supplement?

  1. Anti Inflammatory
  2. Relieves Pain
  3. Antibacterial (reduces oral plaque buildup)
  4. Antioxidant
  5. Anti Cancer
  6. Relieves Stress and Anxiety
  7. Reduces Depression
  8. Enhances Memory and Learning
  9. Reduces Adrenaline
  10. Improve Sleep
  11. Improves Symptoms of Menopause
  12. Helps Weight Management
  13. Reduces Allergies

In the video below, David Tellman explains the nootropic benefits of Magnolia Bark. Including why we use Magnolia Bark as a nootropic, recommended dosage, side effects, clinical research, and the best type of Magnolia Bark to buy.

This is our recommended Magnolia supplement (Amazon’s Choice):

Magnolia Bark 1800 mg 180 Vegetarian Caps (Non-GMO, Extract 4:1 & Gluten-Free) Supports Healthy Weight, Calm Mood and Liver Functions*

What is an appropriate Magnolia Bark Extract Dosage (How much should I take)?

Dosages below are for a 1-10% basic Magnolia Bark extract:

  • For general health, stress: 200-400mg
  • For menopausal symptoms: one 60 mg tablet
  • For learning or depression: 1.1-2.2mg/kg (220-440 mg for a 200lb person)
  • For anxiety, sedation, and epilepsy: 5-10 mg
  • Herbal preparations used as decoctions: 3 to 10 g per person
  • Relora: one 300 mg capsule 2 to 3 times daily

The typical dosage for Magnolia Bark extract supplements ranges from 200 to 800 mg daily.

In general, it is recommended that users begin with the lowest suggested dose, and gradually increase as needed. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe. Be sure to follow the directions on product labels and consult your doctor before using them.

Can Magnolia bark be used for improving sleep?

Magnolia bark can be used for improving sleep. It has been used to remedy insomnia for centuries. The active components of magnolia bark are polyphenols honokiol and magnolol, which have been discovered to help induce sleep. 

One animal study observed that a magnolol dose of 2.3–0.9 mg per pound (5–25 mg per kg) of body weight greatly reduced sleep latency or the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. The study also found that the administration of magnolia increased REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep.

Another animal study observed identical results after administering honokiol, reducing the time it took the mice to fall asleep and shift into non-REM sleep.

What is a good Magnolia Bark Dosage for Sleep?

Typical Magnolia Bark supplement doses for sleep are 200-400mg, and up to 500 mg per day. Individual dosing will vary, depending on body weight, health conditions, and the strength of the extract.

When to take Magnolia bark for sleep?

Magnolia bark should be taken at night before bed as a sleeping aid. Recommended starting dosage is around 200-250 mg. You can gradually increase it as you become accustomed to magnolia bark’s effects. However, it is advised not to exceed 400 mg of the extract.

Always contact a dietician before adding a supplement to your diet.

Does Magnolia Bark have any Withdrawal Effects?

Magnolia Bark causes a stress-relieving effect through sedation, so its withdrawal effects are likened to benzodiazepines:

  • mouth/throat numbness
  • lightheadedness
  • tiredness
  • dizziness

However, some Magnolia Bark users don’t experience any withdrawal effects.

Magnolia Bark is less likely to cause “motor dysfunction” than benzodiazepines, so sometimes it’s used to taper off and lighten the withdrawal effects of benzodiazepines.

Can Magnolia Bark Extract cause the effects of a “High”?

Magnolia Bark Extract can reduce stress due to “honokiol”, which works similarly to prescription sedatives. Both Magnolia and prescription sedatives increase the levels of GABA, a relaxing hormone. The difference is that honokiol works in specific areas of the brain, and prescription sedatives affect receptors throughout the entire body, causing the effects of a “high” like hangover, muscle weakness, fatigue, and more. Magnolia, being more selective, should not make you feel “high” or doped up.

What is Magnolol and Honokiol?

Magnolol and Honokiol are plant compounds with antioxidant properties isolated from Magnolia. These bioactive constituents have various therapeutic activities and can be potentially useful for the treatment of various conditions such as inflammation, pain, CVS injury, cancer, and cognitive disorders. 

The following are some beneficial properties of Magnolol and Honokiol:

  • Antioxidant property: Animal and in-vitro studies show that magnolol and honokiol decrease free radicals generated by UV radiation leading to a reduction in oxidative stress. The antioxidant activity of these two is more potent than 𝛂-tocopherol and can protect heart mitochondria from free radical damage.
  • Anti-inflammatory activity: Studies show magnolol and honokiol can cross the blood-brain barrier and reduce inflammation in the brain by inhibiting the release of inflammatory agents resulting in a decrease in pain. 
  • Anti-tumor activity: Animal studies show that these plant compounds can inhibit cancer tumor growth. 
  • Antimicrobial property: In-vitro studies show that magnolol and honokiol exhibit inhibitory activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi.

Does Magnolia Bark affect Dopamine?

Magnolia bark acts as an antidepressant by affecting the activity of dopamine, a neurotransmitter important to mood.

Magnolia Bark extract (containing magnolol and honokiol) inhibits the dopamine transporter activity and reduces binding to dopamine D5 receptors. This means Magnolia Bark is forcing the transporter and receptor to release dopamine for reuse in your brain. So it doesn’t deplete dopamine but rather helps the brain to use it more efficiently.

Can Magnolia Bark activate Cannabinoid receptors in the body?

Magnolia bark can activate cannabinoid (CB) receptors. Research found that its main bioactive constituents, magnolol, and honokiol, can act as partial and full activators to CB1 and CB2 receptors, respectively.

Due to this, magnolia bark is commonly used in Asian traditional medicine for the treatment of anxiety, sleeping disorders, and allergic diseases. 

Cannabinoid receptors are a class of receptors involved in various physiological and pathophysiological functions in the body, including regulating mood, pain sensation, vascular appetite, nonvascular smooth muscle tone, and immune function.

Can Magnolia bark be used for relieving anxiety?

Magnolia bark can be used for relieving anxiety. It is observed that magnolia bark extract seems to have protective effects against many neurological ailments. This includes brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and conditions like anxiety, mood disorders, and depression.

A study on 40 women in the age group 20–50 found that administering 250 mg of Magnolia bark extract 3 times a day significantly alleviated short-term and temporary anxiety more than a placebo.

Nonetheless, the supplement used in this study included compounds other than magnolia bark. Thus, the result of this study cannot be credited to the tree bark alone.

What is Dihydro Honokiol?

Dihydro Honokiol is a partially reduced derivative of honokiol. Research has confirmed that it is a potent anxiolytic-like agent that interacts with the benzodiazepine site GABA(A) receptor to promote non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.

Can Magnolia bark lower Cortisol levels in the body?

Magnolia bark can be used to lower cortisol levels in the body. A study on 56 adults revealed that consuming 500 mg of Magnolia bark extract daily resulted in significantly lower cortisol levels and improved mood.

Cortisol is the primary stress hormone in your body. High quantities of cortisol in the body have been linked to high anxiety and stress levels.

Does Magnolia bark interact with GABA receptors?

Magnolia bark can activate GABA pathways. A 2013 review showed that the active compound honokiol in Magnolia Bark interacts with the central nervous system’s GABA(A) receptor. GABA(A) receptor regulates mood and induces sleep; this is the same receptor targeted by anti-anxiety medication like diazepam.

Research shows that Magnolia bark can improve sleep by interacting with this receptor. This research looked at how honokiol facilitated NREM sleep by modulating the benzodiazepine site of the GABA(A) receptor, indicating possible use in the treatment of insomnia, particularly for individuals who undergo difficulty falling and staying asleep.

Another study showed that magnolol and honokiol enhanced hippocampus neurons’ pre-synaptic and post-synaptic GABA transmission.

Can Magnolia bark be used for managing depression?

Magnolia bark can be used to manage depression. Research shows that magnolia bark extract is an effective agent for managing depression and other neurological conditions, including stress, mood disorders, anxiety, and brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Furthermore, animal studies have also shown magnolia bark extract to cause antidepressant-like effects, such as increased serotonin levels in the brain and reduced corticosterone levels in the blood. Corticosterone and serotonin each have a major role in regulating depression, mood, and anxiety.

Magnolia bark vs. Ashwagandha, what is the difference?

Magnolia bark and Ashwagandha are herbal supplements used to manage stress and anxiety. 

These supplements are different in origin and working. Many products use a combination of magnolia bark and ashwagandha to make a complete stress defense supplement.

Ashwagandha is of Indian origin, and studies have shown it to display impressive anti-anxiety and anti-stress effects via regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis.

While magnolia bark is of Chinese origin, and studies have shown it to promote healthy sleeping by interacting with GABA(A) and Cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system to reduce stress and anxiety.

Do Magnolia bark and Ziziphus bark extracts interact with CNS receptors?

Magnolia bark and Ziziphus extracts interact with CNS (central nervous system) receptors. Research shows them to interact with the following:

  • Adenosine A1 receptor
  • Dopamine transporter
  • Dopamine D5 receptor (antagonist activity)
  • Serotonin receptors (5-HT1B and 5-HT6 antagonist activity) 
  • GABA benzodiazepine receptor

Interactions with these selected receptors in the CNS are the primary reason for the sleep-inducing effects of these extracts.

Can Magnolia bark be used to treat OCD?

Magnolia bark may be used to treat OCD, a disorder that involves invasive thoughts that cause anxiety or stress. Multiple studies have shown magnolia bark to reduce stress and anxiety in individuals. 

Furthermore, research has also observed magnolia bark to work like an anxiolytic. Anxiolytic is a medication or additional intervention that lowers anxiety. Anxiolytics are also used to treat people with OCD and OCRD.

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Sources

This article makes use of information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

13 Proven Magnolia Bark Benefits (Sleep, Withdrawal, Dosage)
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