Many people have trouble falling or staying asleep, a problem often called insomnia. To deal with it, some turn to sleep medications, either with a prescription or from a pharmacy shelf.
These medications include drugs like benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and sedative-hypnotics. They’re meant to help people get rest, but new research suggests they might come with serious long-term risks—especially the risk of developing dementia.
A recent study followed more than 3,000 older adults who didn’t have dementia at the start of the research. Over about nine years, 20% of these people developed dementia.
The risk wasn’t the same for everyone. White participants who often used sleep medications were 79% more likely to develop dementia than those who didn’t use them. Interestingly, Black participants did not show the same risk, possibly because they used these medications less often.
One reason for this difference could be access. White participants in the study generally had more access to a variety of sleep aids, such as benzodiazepines, trazodone, and Z-drugs like Ambien. This may explain the higher dementia rates among them.
The study shows that it’s not just whether someone uses sleep medicine, but also which type and how much that may affect their brain health. This is why experts now recommend looking at other options before using medication for sleep problems.
For example, diagnosing and treating sleep apnea and other health issues can help improve sleep naturally. Another proven option is cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia. This therapy focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep, and it doesn’t carry the same risks as drugs.
Melatonin, a hormone our body makes to help control sleep, may also be a safer choice. However, we still need more research to know if it’s safe to use long-term.
Doctors and patients need to talk carefully about the risks and benefits of using sleep medication, especially since some of these drugs might increase the risk of dementia. This is especially important for people who take them regularly over many years.
The study was led by Dr. Yue Leng and published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. It adds to growing research that shows how everyday treatments, like sleep aids, may have long-term health effects we’re only beginning to understand.
In summary, while sleep medications can help with short-term sleep problems, their possible link to dementia is a serious concern. Safer options, such as therapy or treating other medical issues, might be better in the long run.
This research is a reminder that getting better sleep should start with healthy habits and treatments that support long-term brain health.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about dietary strategies to ward off dementia, and how omega-3 fatty acids fuel your mind.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Choline deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and what to eat (and avoid) for dementia prevention.
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