Comparison
Magnesium L-Threonate vs Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark)
Magnesium L-Threonate
MIT-developed magnesium that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Shown to enhance synaptic density and reduce 'brain age'.
Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark)
Branded extract of French maritime pine bark. Procyanidin and flavonoid complex with cardiovascular, cognitive, and ADHD benefits.
| Field | Magnesium L-Threonate | Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) |
|---|---|---|
| Category | neuroprotective | neuroprotective |
| Dose range | 1000–2000mg | 100–200mg |
| Half-life | 6h | — |
| Onset | — | — |
| Evidence | EVIDENCEB | EVIDENCEB |
| Safety | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Legal (US) | USOTC | USOTC |
| PubMed refs | 90 | 580 |
The comparison in plain English
Auto-generated from dataMagnesium L-Threonate and Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) are both in the neuroprotective category respectively. Magnesium L-Threonate MIT-developed magnesium that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) Branded extract of French maritime pine bark.
Bottom line
Magnesium L-Threonate (evidence B, safety 5/5) matches the evidence base of Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) (evidence B, safety 5/5). Magnesium L-Threonate has the slightly cleaner safety profile. For users new to either, the higher-evidence option is the safer first try.
Choose Magnesium L-Threonate if
Magnesium L-Threonate is the better fit when your goal aligns with its mechanism (L-threonate is a sugar-acid carrier that uniquely enables magnesium to cross the blood-brain barrier in meaningful quantities — most oral magnesium forms (oxide, citrate, glycinate) raise serum magnesium but not central magnesium) and the dose range (1000–2000mg) suits your protocol. Half-life is 6h.
Choose Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) if
Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) is the better fit when your goal aligns with its mechanism (A complex of procyanidins (oligomeric proanthocyanidins), bioflavonoids, and organic acids) and the dose range (100–200mg) suits your protocol. Half-life is —h.