#sleepbetter #memory #dementia
Common sleep aids like Benadryl, gabapentin, and benzodiazepines may double your dementia risk, but safer alternatives exist that most doctors never discuss.
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0:00 – Introduction
0:46 – Gabapentin
1:40 – Benzodiazepines
3:00 – Z-drugs
3:36 – Trazodone
4:20 – Benadryl
4:50 – Melatonin
5:05 – My sleep stack
5:38 – Hormones
7:05 – Hormonal deficiencies
7:23 – My approach to sleep support
1 in 5 Americans use sleep aids, but many don’t know about the potential risks to brain health and memory. In this video, I break down the scientific research on common sleep medications and their links to dementia and cognitive impairment. You’ll learn:
– Which sleep aids have the highest dementia risk
– Safer alternatives for better sleep
– The hormone connection most doctors miss (especially for women)
– Natural sleep solutions that actually work
We’ll discuss risky sleep aids, including:
– Gabapentin
– Benadryl/Diphenhydramine
– Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Valium)
– Short-acting benzodiazepines with highest risk, especially for women
Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Zolpidem)
We’ll also discuss the FDA warning of complex sleep behaviors with some of these sleep aids and sleep medications
We’ll also discuss some safer options:
– Trazodone – No dementia link shown in current research
– Melatonin – May actually help with mild cognitive decline
– Natural supplements: Valerian root, L-theanine, Glycine, Ashwagandha, Passionflower
Lastly, I’ll share the information on hormones and sleep (especially important for women). Women are at higher risk from sleep aids, yet hormone balancing is rarely discussed. Progesterone deficiency may be the root cause of sleep issues in many women, especially during perimenopause and throughout menstrual cycles. Micronized progesterone has been shown to improve various sleep parameters with a good safety profile.
Ask yourself: is it a Prozac deficiency or a progesterone deficiency?
If you have risk factors for dementia like the ApoE4 gene, heart disease, or history of stroke, these considerations are even more critical.
References:
This video/speech/channel DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE. Patients with medical concerns should contact their physician. If your concern is an emergency, immediately call 911. This information is not a recommendation for ANY THERAPY. Some substances referenced in this content may be illegal, and this content is not a recommendation for, or endorsement of, their use in any way.
65 male here, decent shape..have suffered from Insomnia since I was a Teen…was not much of an issue until I reached mid/late 30’s,,,up to that point I had tried sleeping pills a handful of times, some of the Nasty stuff Halcyon and the like….by 45 no caffeine after 2pm, I try and not nap even though I retired at 59..was finally prescribed Lunesta 3mg when that drug was still Non-Formulated. So for 15 yrs I have been taking it. When I was working, 4 nights a week I took a pill…now 3 nights a week, will take 30mg of Melatonin a couple of night,,,,,Now NONE of it works anymore lol My wife’s sleep clinic tells me come do a study and they can put me on a Cocktail of meds to make me sleep…I have No Apnea just Terrible Insomnia,,,,,will sit in the chair until I am “pecking corn” where your chin dips to your chest, you quickly lift your head, only to peck more corn….slowly turn the light out, crawl into the bed and then BAM WIDE AWAKE…all of this to say my Big Issue is, I Don’t Want to take More Chemicals!! INSOMNIA IS A CURSE
So basically you watch the whole video just to find out it’s mostly targeted towards women so if you’re a guy don’t watch the video
Surprisingly misleading info according to my doctor. I asked because I was concerned and this is what my doctor told me. The study referenced wasn’t measuring gabapentin prescribed for insomnia, but for chronic pain which is usually prescribed at a much higher dose; and withdrawal is only a risk if taking more than the maximum safe dose of 3600mg/day, which is way more than most doctors will prescribe for chronic pain, anxiety or insomnia. Gabapentin is not metabolized, meaning safe on kidneys and liver over time, and is basically a supplement of a substance your brain already makes (GABA)., as opposed to something that changes how your brain functions (like an antidepressant that changes how your brain uses serotonin). It’s considered one of the safest psychiatric medications we have.
As for benzodiazepines, there is a risk of physical dependence (addiction) if taken daily for more than two weeks and most doctors won’t prescribe them for insomnia for that reason. They’re also a controlled substance for that reason (they’re addictive). They used to be really popular for anxiety and insomnia but the physical dependence risk is really high and they’re really intense medications (large effects with small doses), so no longer considered safe for daily use. Now prescribed more for things like panic disorders, where it can be used occasionally to get through a triggering situation.
Z-drugs are now considered high-risk and alternatives are usually considered first.
I found that helpful info and hope you do too.
How about DORA drugs?
Trazadone, and all those others do not work. What works is zolpidem, and only xolpidem.