A magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole extending to an air bearing surface of the magnetic recording head and having an end portion that is exposed at the air bearing surface, a magnetic shield having an end portion that is exposed at the air bearing surface and faces the end portion of the main magnetic pole with a gap therebetween, a stacked-layer element disposed in the gap, and including a first conductive layer in contact the main magnetic pole, a second conductive layer in contact with the magnetic shield, and an magnetic permeability adjusting layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and first and second terminals between which a current flows through the main magnetic pole, the stacked-layer element, and the magnetic shield when the current is supplied to one of the terminals.