We’ve learned that sleep plays a role in eliminating these toxic substances. One of the current theories about what contributes to the development of neurodegenerative disorders is the accumulation of toxic substances in our brains over many years. We’re learning more and more how important sleep is for not just short-term brain functioning, but for long-term brain functioning as well. If people are unable to achieve a good night’s sleep, they really need to consult with a physician. Exposure to diphenhydramine over the short term can make older folks a little squirrely, but long-term use over many years may lead to Alzheimer’s disease. One of the things we’re learning more about is that neurocognitive disorders arise from little perturbations in brain metabolism that lead to the gradual buildup of protein deposits over many years. Why is a good night’s sleep so important to overall brain health? The best way to do that is to consult your physician. It’s important to find one that allows you to function well and control your allergy symptoms. Other types of antihistamines are used to treat allergies, but none of them are used in sleep aids. There are different antihistamines, and Benadryl (or diphenhydramine) is among the worst in terms of cognitive side effects. Does that mean it’s not safe to take over-the-counter antihistamines to treat allergies? The pollen is everywhere, and I can’t stop sneezing! You should be careful not to use these types of medicines all the time in order to get good sleep. Taking diphenhydramine over a long period of time can actually predispose people to dementia. Older people, however, can get confused when taking diphenhydramine because it also blocks a brain chemical called acetylcholine, which plays a big role in attention and short-term memory. Taking an over-the-counter sleep aid with diphenhydramine once in a while is generally not going to cause problems, other than a possible hangover the next day. However, one of these drugs, Benadryl (diphenhydramine), is commonly used in over-the-counter sleep agents. They are commonly used to treat allergies and are generally safe. These are getting a lot of attention right now-like hydrocodone or oxycodone-because they are very addictive.Īnother drug class people don’t realize may undermine brain health is antihistamines. The other class of medications is narcotic analgesics. Drugs in this class are generally not recommended for long-term use as a sleep aid because they can impair memory and require higher doses over time to achieve the same effect. These are prescribed to treat anxiety and sometimes sleep. The most common one is benzodiazepines, which includes Valium and Xanax. There are three classes of medications that are notorious for causing cognitive side effects. Kaufer died in 2020.) Are over-the-counter sleep aids safe? What effects do they have on your brain? But what are the long-term effects on your brain? We asked Dan Kaufer, MD, a neurologist and director of the UNC Memory Disorders Program.

Over-the-counter sleep aids are marketed as a safe, effective and non-habit-forming way to get some zzz’s when sleep seems hard to come by.

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