The Short Answer
Natural Calm is not the best choice for sleep or anxiety. The powder converts to magnesium citrate, which is highly effective for constipation but frequently causes digestive upset when taken daily.
More concerning are the purity issues. Multiple independent lab tests have flagged Natural Calm powder for heavy metals. While the brand's gummies recently tested clean, the popular unflavored powder showed concerning levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in early 2026 testing.
Why This Matters
Magnesium is an earth-mined mineral, which makes heavy metal contamination a massive industry-wide problem. Because supplements aren't strictly regulated before hitting shelves, brands often skip the rigorous testing required to ensure their raw materials are clean. Heavy Metals Supplements
The type of magnesium matters just as much as the purity. Natural Calm is magnesium citrate, which pulls water into your intestines. If you're looking for the relaxing, sleep-promoting benefits of magnesium, you want magnesium glycinate instead. What Type Magnesium Best
Relying on a laxative-style magnesium for daily relaxation can backfire. Taking too much citrate leads directly to diarrhea, making it difficult to hit the optimal daily dosage your body actually needs for nervous system support. Can You Take Too Much Magnesium
What's Actually In Natural Calm
- Magnesium Carbonate & Citric Acid â When mixed with water, these two ingredients undergo a chemical reaction to create magnesium citrate. Magnesium Glycinate Vs Citrate
- Organic Stevia â A zero-calorie sweetener used in the flavored versions that can leave a lingering bitter aftertaste.
- Heavy Metals (Trace) â Independent 2024 and 2026 lab tests detected lead, cadmium, and arsenic in the powder formulations.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Magnesium Glycinate â The best form for sleep and anxiety, as the glycine amino acid actively calms the brain. Magnesium For Sleep
- Strict Third-Party Testing â Look for NSF Certified or USP Verified labels that prove the product is free of heavy metal contamination. Third Party Tested Meaning
Red Flags:
- Proprietary Powders â Many drink mixes hide their exact elemental magnesium yield, making it hard to know your true dosage.
- Earth-Mined Without Testing â Any mineral supplement without a publicly available Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a high risk for lead exposure.
The Best Options
If you want better sleep and pure ingredients, skip the fizzy powders and choose a tested glycinate capsule. Best Magnesium Supplement
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorne | Magnesium Bisglycinate | â | Rigorously tested and won't cause digestive upset. |
| Natural Vitality | Calm Gummies | â ïž | Tested clean for metals in 2025, but still uses laxative-heavy citrate. |
| Natural Vitality | Calm Powder | đ« | Flagged for lead and arsenic by multiple independent labs. |
The Bottom Line
1. Ditch the powder. The unflavored Natural Calm powder has failed multiple independent heavy metal tests.
2. Switch to glycinate for sleep. If you want deep relaxation, magnesium glycinate is drastically more effective than citrate.
3. Save citrate for constipation. If you are backed up, magnesium citrate is a great short-term solution, but you should find a cleaner brand.
FAQ
Does Natural Calm help with sleep?
It can help slightly by correcting a general magnesium deficiency, but it is not the optimal form for sleep. The citrate form focuses mainly on the digestive tract, whereas magnesium glycinate actively calms the nervous system. Magnesium For Sleep
Is Natural Calm safe to take every day?
Taking magnesium daily is safe, but daily magnesium citrate can cause chronic loose stools. You should also be highly cautious with Natural Calm powder due to repeated independent tests finding heavy metal contamination. Can You Take Too Much Magnesium
Why does Natural Calm fizz?
The fizzing is a chemical reaction between magnesium carbonate and citric acid. When hot water is added, they bind together to create magnesium citrate, which is why you must wait for the fizzing to completely stop before drinking it.
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