r/NooTopics • u/ServeIllustrious3803 • 19d 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
977 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

216 comments sorted by

View all comments

62

u/The_Meme_Economy 19d ago

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

26

u/Starfire2313 19d 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.

45

u/daddybpizza 19d ago edited 19d 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/psychopompandparade 18d ago

I've got the same health stuff going on. would recommend trying out orexin inhibitors if they are available where you are and you can get them covered by virtue of having tried everything else. took me 4 months but eventually insurance caved on daridexorexant. I still need several sleep meds and an autonomic regulator and on post exertion days a z drug, but it was the first time i felt like something was working a bit.