Electrolytes & Your Nerves

Every nerve signal in your body depends on electrolytes — minerals that carry an electric charge when dissolved in fluid. The main ones are sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Sodium and potassium create the charge difference (inside vs. outside the nerve cell).
Calcium helps release neurotransmitters at the end of the nerve.
Magnesium stabilizes nerve membranes and helps reset the signal.

When these ions move in and out of nerve cells in the right pattern, they create the “domino effect” — a wave of depolarization (action potential) traveling down the nerve fiber.

That’s why hydration and mineral intake matter so much:

Low electrolytes = slower nerve conduction, muscle cramps, and fatigue.
Balanced electrolytes = smooth signals, sharp thinking, steady heartbeat.

Electrolytes are like the charged marbles that knock over the dominoes. Without enough marbles, the wave stops — and your nervous system can’t fire properly.