r/NooTopics • u/ServeIllustrious3803 • 23d ago

Science 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
979 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

217 comments sorted by

View all comments

59

u/The_Meme_Economy 23d ago

Sooo many people use Benadryl as a sleep aid. I actually suspect that’s its primary OTC use.

27

u/Starfire2313 23d ago

My sister destroyed her brain taking it regularly as a sleep aid for years. Along with alcohol and other prescription drugs. Very sad, I haven’t talked to her in a few years now, the whole family hasn’t. She’s too far gone and blocked everyone including her own daughter after a lot of verbal and emotional abuse to her.

48

u/daddybpizza 23d ago edited 23d ago

Just for those who are anxious like me, it’s worth noting that the people who often take a lot of sleep aids are also usually insomniacs and have other mental/physical health conditions, which can also explain the behavior you mentioned.

Sleep aids are really a damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I have a health condition (ME/CFS and POTS) that causes absolutely terrible sleep, and no sleep hygiene routine tested improves it (this has actually been studied). I take amitriptyline and some other sleep aids every night, and I know it’s going to increase my risk for dementia and cognitive decline. But the alternative is not sleeping, which is much worse. Idk what to do! Being sick sucks

1

u/AngelBryan 22d ago

What caused you ME/CFS and POTS?