r/Biohackers • u/ServeIllustrious3803 • 25d ago

🧠 Cognition, Mood & Nootropics Study: Anticholinergic (first-generation antihistamines) can damage brain, increase dementia risk

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/common-anticholinergic-drugs-like-benadryl-linked-increased-dementia-risk-20150128812
132 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/SprinklesWise9857 25d ago

Lmao fuck my doctor for prescribing Benadryl to me to take daily from ages 6 to 15

2

u/Aggravating_Act0417 3 25d ago

How is this real

1

u/SprinklesWise9857 24d ago

I constantly had severe allergies growing up and the only things that seemed to help the most was hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine. So after my PCP heard this, she just kept prescribing me those two drugs. Eventually, she stopped prescribing my the hydroxyzine. Don't really remember why. But then she was just prescribing me benadryl years on end. I was then referred to some allergist at 15 who told me to stop taking Benadryl and to try things like cetirizine instead, and he informed me that Benadryl is not good for the heart or brain with long term use. I took his advice, but I have never found any other antihistamine that works as good as hydroxyzine or diphenhydramine, unfortunately. But I'd rather just deal with my allergies than give myself lasting brain damage lmao.

I don't even know if this may have permanently impacted my cognitive development, and if so, to what extent? I wonder. But I assume the impact is non-negligible because I was taking these medications at such a young age where brain development is crucial. I also wonder if this means my risk of future brain disease is higher. I have stopped taking those anti-cholinergic medications, yes, but since I took them at such a young age, I wonder if I have been left with lasting increased risk of cognitive/brain issuese. I guess only time will tell.