A combination of magnesium and apigenin — a plant flavonoid found in chamomile — was shown to increase sleep duration in mice, according to a study published in the journal Food & Function (F&F). The researchers found that using the compounds together was more effective than either alone.

Under normal conditions, the combination increased sleep duration by 44%. In mice with sleep disruption caused by caffeine, the effect was 32%, and in a model of induced insomnia, it reached 37%. Magnesium or apigenin individually did not produce such pronounced results. The researchers noted a synergistic effect: together, the compounds enhanced sleep beyond the sum of their separate effects.

Analysis revealed that the combination reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNFα, both in the blood and in the hypothalamus — the brain region responsible for regulating the sleep–wake cycle. Activation of microglia and the NF-κB signaling pathway, which are associated with neuroinflammation, was also suppressed, suggesting a possible anti-inflammatory mechanism for improving sleep.

The authors emphasize that the study was conducted in animals, so it is too early to confirm clinical effects in humans. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that magnesium and apigenin together could serve as a natural strategy to support sleep and warrant further clinical investigation.