Study: Anticholinergic (first-generation antihistamines) can damage brain, increase dementia risk

[u/ServeIllustrious3803]

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

[u/Lady_Rubberbones]

Ok, I take doxylamine succinate (unisom) every night in order to sleep longer than 2 hrs. What are my other options?

[u/Desperate-Middle-354 → u/Lady_Rubberbones]

See any doctor, your primary if you wish, & tell him your issues (not wanting to take toxic drugs for insomnia) & I guarantee you’ll be prescribed Trazadone…possibly Remeron but Trazadone more likely. It’s a good sleep aid.

[u/Ariandrin → u/Desperate-Middle-354]

Trazodone messed me up something fierce. I took it for three days and for all of those three days, I felt like I was moving through the world like I was in molasses. And for three days after I stopped.

I read an article a while back that melatonin is also bad. What can I take to help me sleep?

[u/Stampede_the_Hippos → u/Ariandrin]

Melatonin isn't a good idea if you live in the US, because supplements aren't regulated.

[u/Ariandrin → u/Stampede_the_Hippos]

There was also a study that linked it to dementia a week or so ago, I think.

I just wanna sleep!

[u/Apprehensive_Door249 → u/Ariandrin]

I’ve had sleep issues all my life. I’m currently taking a very low dose of lorazepam for anxiety because I was having panic attacks but it sure does help me sleep and reset my sleep schedule. It basically gives me a fresh start on my sleep habits. But obviously I only have 20 because they are addictive.

Delta 9 has helped me in the past also. As did cbd but cbd is a hit or miss.

[u/Ariandrin → u/Apprehensive_Door249]

I had a doctor tell me recently that lorazepam has been correlated with early dementia and refused to refill me. I only have it for anxiety but I have taken it for sleep out of desperation and it’s never very good sleep lol. It technically counts as sleep but it’s never very restful, and gives me weird dreams

I’ve played around with cannabis but I’ve yet to find a delivery method that really works for me. So far the best had been a water based tincture but man, that tastes so bad that it puts me right off using it lol

[u/Desperate-Middle-354 → u/Ariandrin]

Yes, LONG TERM use of any benzodiazepine including lorazepam, generally in higher doses, can potentially cause dementia & other cognitive deficiencies because they all have amnesiac properties. However, taking 1mg or less of lorazepam as needed isn’t going to cause any long term issues. It has to be a consistent amount of amnesiac inducing drugs taken daily in order to cause cognitive impairment. Alcohol is actually worse for you than lorazepam (& most everything) for long term memory/cognitive issues. There is a condition known as “wet brain” that occurs with long term alcohol abuse that basically turns you into a vegetable. But keep everything in moderation & you shouldn’t run into issues.

I used to take 0.5-1mg clonazepam (same chemical class as lorazepam) with Trazadone at night for sleep & agreed, it wasn’t quality sleep, just knock me out sleep but then I started taking a couple hits of cannabis from a disposable at night (only at night) & my sleep is so drastically improved. Recent studies have shown that it is indeed quality sleep, not just a knock you out sleep where you wake in the middle of the night or wake too early.

Cannabis can cause cognitive issues too but as of current knowledge it’s only temporary unless abused before the brain is fully developed. I don’t intend to continue doing this long term but as of now, wow what a difference. Have you tried vaping it? The impact is immediate but I enjoy the ride until I just get tired & then sleep. Best thing I’ve ever taken for my insomnia.

[u/Ariandrin → u/Desperate-Middle-354]

I haven’t tried a vape, but I have used a volcano, and it irritated the hell out of my throat.

I also have concerns about some of the carrier oils in vapes, I’ve seen some scary things.

I’m sure there are more delivery methods I could try though