A new study from the University of California, San Francisco, has found that taking sleep medications could raise the risk of developing dementia, especially for white adults. The type and amount of sleep medication may also play a role in this increased risk.
Previous research has shown that Black adults are more likely than white adults to develop Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia. However, they also tend to have different risk factors and symptoms. This new study shows that when it comes to sleep medications, the risks might be different too.
The researchers used data from about 3,000 older adults who did not have dementia at the beginning of the study. These participants lived independently, not in nursing homes, and were part of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study.
They were followed for about nine years. On average, the participants were 74 years old, and the group included 58% white adults and 42% Black adults.
Over the nine years, about 20% of the people developed dementia. The researchers found that white participants who said they “often” or “almost always” used sleep medications were 79% more likely to develop dementia compared to those who “never” or “rarely” used them.
For Black participants, the story was different. Frequent users of sleep medications had about the same risk of developing dementia as those who rarely or never used these drugs.
One reason for this difference could be that Black participants were much less likely to use sleep medications in the first place. Only 2.7% of Black participants used sleep aids often, compared to 7.7% of white participants.
The study also found that white participants were nearly twice as likely to use benzodiazepines, such as Halcion, Dalmane, and Restoril, which are commonly prescribed for chronic insomnia.
White adults were also about 10 times more likely to use trazodone (Desyrel, Oleptro) and over seven times more likely to use “Z-drugs” like Ambien, another type of sleep medication.
While the study does not prove that sleep medications directly cause dementia, it shows a strong link between frequent use of these drugs and a higher risk of developing dementia among white adults.
The researchers suggest that people struggling with poor sleep should try non-drug approaches first. Some good habits for better sleep include cutting back on caffeine, keeping a consistent sleep schedule, and avoiding screens (like phones and TVs) before bedtime.
Doctors should also be cautious when prescribing sleep medications, especially for white patients who may be at higher risk. They should consider suggesting lifestyle changes or therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) before turning to medications.
Other studies have found that sleep medications can cause other serious problems too. These include a higher risk of falls, fractures, car accidents, and even early death. Some research has even linked long-term use of sleep medications to a higher risk of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Because of these risks, it is important to explore safer ways to manage sleep problems. Relaxation techniques, therapy, and improving sleep habits can all help without the need for medication.
This important study was conducted by Yue Leng and her team and was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. It highlights the need for both patients and doctors to think carefully about the long-term effects of using sleep medications.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that eating apples and tea could keep dementia at bay, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health.
For more health information, please see recent studies what you eat together may affect your dementia risk, and time-restricted eating: a simple way to fight aging and cancer.
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