A new study found a link between many commonly used popular drugs and dementia — even when taken at low doses.
“over-the-counter sleep, cough and cold, and allergy medicines as well as in the treatment of an overactive bladder and depression” have been linked to the onset of dementia in later years according to a recent study out of the University of Washington.
Many drugs impact our brain chemistry. One critical neurotransmitter in the brain is acetylcholine. Low levels of acetylcholine are associated with poor brain function, including dementia.
A component of many drugs is a chemical called diphenhydramine. It is anticholinergic meaning it reduces the activity of acetylcholine in the brain. Drugs which contain diphenhydramine and which are most strongly linked to increased risk of dementia are popular products such as Benadryl, Nytol Sominex, Theraflu and Triaminic Allergy. Drugs containing other anticholinergic chemicals such as chlorpheniramine (Aller-Chlor); oxybutynin (Ditropan) and tolterodine (Detrol) for overactive bladder; and the tricyclic antidepressants, such as doxepin or amitriptyline are also associated with an increased risk for dementia.
The results from this study highlight the importance of avoiding long-term use of these sorts of drugs, including Benadryl and over-the-counter sleeping pills. What this research further establishes is that the human brain can be adversely affected by minor pharmacological agents highlighting the importance of using natural approaches that not only address the key issue (e.g., insomnia, allergies, etc.), but also have a positive effect on brain function.
For example, the natural compound enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ) or bioactive quercitin has demonstrated significant anti-allergy effects and also has been shown to block the formation of beta-amyloid – a protein that is linked to causing the brain damage in Alzheimer’s disease.