A study from the University of California, San Francisco, suggests that people who frequently take sleep medications may have a higher risk of developing dementia. The risk seems to be especially high for white individuals, though the type and amount of medication used may also play a role.
The research builds on earlier studies showing that Black individuals are more likely than white individuals to develop Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. However, scientists believe that risk factors and how the disease progresses may differ between racial groups.
To understand this connection better, researchers analyzed data from around 3,000 older adults who did not have dementia when the study began. These participants were part of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study, which tracked their health for an average of nine years. Their average age was 74, and the group was racially diverse, with 58% white and 42% Black participants.
During the study, about 20% of participants developed dementia. Among white participants, those who frequently took sleep medications—defined as using them 5–15 times a month (“often”) or 16 or more times a month (“almost always”)—were 79% more likely to develop dementia compared to those who rarely or never took these medications.
For Black participants, frequent use of sleep medications did not seem to increase dementia risk significantly. Researchers also found that Black participants used sleep aids far less often than white participants.
The study uncovered notable differences in the types of sleep medications used by different racial groups. White participants were:
- Three times more likely than Black participants to take sleep aids regularly.
- Nearly twice as likely to use benzodiazepines (such as Halcion and Restoril), which are commonly prescribed for insomnia.
- Ten times more likely to take trazodone, an antidepressant often used as a sleep aid.
- More than seven times more likely to take Z-drugs like Ambien, which are sedative-hypnotic medications.
Although the study found a strong link between sleep medications and dementia risk, it does not prove that the medications directly cause dementia. Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to understand the potential cognitive risks and whether race influences these effects.
This research also highlights the importance of finding safer ways to manage sleep problems. Simple lifestyle changes—such as reducing caffeine intake, following a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding screens before bed—may help improve sleep without the risks linked to medication.
Other options, like cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques, have also been shown to be effective for sleep issues.
Previous studies have linked sleep medications to other health concerns, including falls, fractures, car accidents, and even higher mortality rates. Some research has also suggested a connection between long-term use of sleep aids and an increased risk of cancer and other serious illnesses.
For example, a 2015 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who used benzodiazepines and similar drugs were at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Doctors are encouraged 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 highlight the need for more research on the long-term effects of sleep medications and safer alternatives for managing sleep problems. For those struggling with sleep, adopting healthier habits or trying non-medication treatments may be a safer way to improve sleep and overall health.
This study, led by Yue Leng and colleagues, was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and flavonoid-rich foods could help prevent dementia.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that cranberries could help boost memory, and how alcohol, coffee and tea intake influence cognitive decline.
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