A recent study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that people who frequently use sleep medications may face a higher risk of developing dementia.
This risk appears to be particularly significant for white individuals, according to the findings. However, the type and amount of sleep medication used could play a role in the increased risk.
The study builds on earlier research showing that Black individuals are more likely than white individuals to develop Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. These studies have also suggested that the risk factors and the way the disease progresses differ between racial groups.
The researchers analyzed data from approximately 3,000 older adults who did not have dementia at the start of the study.
These participants were part of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study, which followed them for an average of nine years. The average age of the participants was 74, and the group was racially diverse, with 58% being white and 42% Black.
Over the course of the study, 20% of the participants developed dementia. Among the white participants, those who frequently used sleep medications—defined as using them “often” (5–15 times a month) or “almost always” (16 or more times a month)—were 79% more likely to develop dementia compared to those who rarely or never used them.
In contrast, frequent use of sleep medications among Black participants did not appear to significantly increase their risk of dementia. Notably, Black participants used sleep medications much less frequently than their white counterparts.
The study also revealed differences in the types of sleep medications used by racial groups. White participants were three times as likely as Black participants to take sleep aids regularly.
They were nearly twice as likely to use benzodiazepines, such as Halcion and Restoril, which are often prescribed for chronic insomnia.
White participants were also 10 times more likely to take trazodone, an antidepressant sometimes used as a sleep aid, and more than seven times as likely to use “Z-drugs” like Ambien, a class of sedative-hypnotics.
While the findings suggest a strong link between frequent use of sleep medications and dementia risk, the study does not prove that the medications directly cause dementia.
The researchers emphasized the need for further studies to understand the cognitive risks and benefits of these drugs and how race might influence these effects.
The study also highlights the importance of considering alternatives to sleep medications. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing caffeine intake, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding screen time before bed, may improve sleep without the potential risks associated with medications.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques are also effective non-drug options for managing sleep problems.
Previous research has associated sleep medications with other health risks, such as falls, fractures, car accidents, and higher mortality rates. Some studies have even suggested that long-term use of these medications could be linked to an increased risk of cancer and other serious illnesses.
For example, a 2015 study published in JAMA Internal Medicinefound that people who used benzodiazepines and similar sleep aids were at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Doctors are urged to prescribe sleep medications cautiously, especially for white patients who may be more vulnerable to these risks. Exploring non-drug approaches to improve sleep should be a priority whenever possible.
The findings from this study underline the need for more research on the long-term effects of sleep medications and safer strategies to address sleep problems.
For anyone struggling with sleep, adopting healthier habits or trying non-drug treatments could be a safer path to better rest and overall health.
This study, led by Yue Leng and colleagues, was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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