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Magnesium in pain control - mechanisms of action in perioperative pain, neuropathic pain and migraine

Anna Konarska, Artur Fabijański, Adriana Dukacz, Wojciech Firlej, Joanna Rychlewska-Duda, Justyna Lisiecka, Michał Nowak, Mateusz Janik et al.

Journal of Education, Health and Sport, 2025

2 citations

Abstract

Introduction

Magnesium is a crucial macroelement with widespread effects on the nervous and muscular systems.. Due to its role as an NMDA receptor antagonist, magnesium has garnered significant attention in pain management research, particularly for its potential to modulate both acute and chronic pain. This article provides an overview of magnesium's therapeutic applications in neuropathic pain, migraine, and perioperative pain, drawing on research from PubMed and Google Scholar published between 1988 and 2025.

Aim of study

This review aims to present the state of knowledge about magnesium’s possible role in pain control and present mechanism of its influence on the nociceptive stimuli reception.

Materials and methods

Publication research was made using databases PubMed and Google Scholar. Keywords used in research were among others: magnesium, pain, neuropathic pain, migraine, perioperative pain, magnesium deficiency.

Current state of knowledge

Magnesium plays a crucial role in the management of various pain conditions, including perioperative, neuropathic, and migraine pain, through its multifactorial mechanisms. These include NMDA receptor antagonism, calcium channel blockade, anti-inflammatory effects, and muscle relaxation, all of which contribute to its analgesic properties. Evidence suggests that magnesium supplementation can reduce opioid use, counteract central and peripheral sensitization, and potentially prevent migraine attacks, highlighting its potential as an…

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