Good Lifestyle

Contrary to what many people believe, dementia is not a normal part of aging. Dementia is not a specific disease either, but rather a term that describes cognitive changes that negatively affect memory, thought and behavior, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which affects approximately 6.7 million older adults in the United States - a number which should double by 2060.

Naturally, these surprising figures have hardly doctors, scientists and researchers to find treatments and a remedy for dementia. But until then, experts are also aware of people with preventive measures they can take - and this includes the limitation or avoidance of certain drugs. But with regard to benzodiazepines, research is divided on their risk.

In relation: Doctors warn that common drugs can be linked to the risk of dementia .

Benzodiazepines are generally taken in the United States

Benzodiazepines, more commonly called benzos, "are a class of medication that slows the activity in your brain and your nervous system", according to Cleveland clinic . Therefore, they are prescribed for anxiety, mental health problems such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, insomnia and to treat crises in people with epilepsy.

Some of the most prescribed benzos include Xanax (Alprazolam), Klonopine (Clonazepam), Valium (Diazepam) and Ativan (Lorazepam). The United States ranks benzodiazepines as controlled substances because it can be formed by habit and dangerous if it is poorly used.

Despite these risks, almost 31 million American adults (Almost 13% of the population) According to a benzo in the past year, more than 5 million of which had no prescription.

In relation: Doctors say that this super food can lower your dementia and the risk of Alzheimer's .

Some research connects benzos to an increased risk of dementia.

A 2021 report published by Psychiatric time warn that benzodiazepines have been linked to a high risk of dementia.

"Although there are no randomized controlled trials (ECR) on the association between the use of benzodiazepine and the risk of dementia, six prospective cohort studies, six case control studies and a retrospective cohort study explore the relationship," said the report.

Of the 13 studies mentioned in the report, eight have shown a positive association between the use of benzodiazepine and dementia, and two others have shown mixed or non -conclusive results.

In addition, a 2016 study published in Bmj And quoted in the report specifically examined the duration of the duration of patients who used benzodiazepines with regard to cognitive results. The researchers found that short -term use of this drug class was associated with the development of dementia.

"It remains uncertain if the long -term use is associated with the world cognitive decline," wrote the authors of the study. This complicates the widespread idea that benzodiazepines are considered safe for short -term use, a period generally defined as Two to four weeks For this particular medication.

In relation: Doctors warn these 5 "healthy" habits can silently harm your brain .

However, new studies challenge the association.

Despite these previous scientific allegations, new studies challenge the association between benzodiazepines (BZD) and dementia.

First of all, a 2022 study Published in the journal Alzheimer's and dementia: Translational research and clinical interventions have found "little evidence of a causal relationship between the use of BZD and the risk of dementia".

The study observed that higher levels of exposure to the BZD (more than 365 days over 2 years) were associated with increased chances of a dementia diagnosis, but the results were "not statistically significant". However, a distinct study Gué this year has hypothesized that "this association seems to be motivated by confusion due to higher rate of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, depression and anxiety in users."

In 2023 , the researchers led a meta-analysis of 30 studies that explored the relationship between the use of benzodiazepine and the risk of dementia.

"The evidence in support of this relationship was low and the methodological quality of the studies included was low," wrote the researchers. "In conclusion, our results revealed limited evidence of a link between the use of benzodiazepine and the risk of dementia, and additional research is necessary to determine a causal connection."

Finally, a 2024 Study Analyze health data and pharmacy files of 5,443 adults without cognitive problems and found no link between benzos and the risk of dementia.

This most recent study, however, noted a slightly higher risk in people who had taken benzos for anxiety, especially in high doses, compared to those who had taken the drugs.

In relation: Doctors warn that you don't get enough of this vitamin to protect against strokes and dementia .

In any case, benzodiazepines can be dangerous and addictive if they are poorly used.

Experts warn that benzodiazepines have long been linked to a wide range of potentially serious side effects. "These drugs are associated with many deleterious effects, including falls, fractures, traffic incidents and delirium," explains the Bmj study.

Benzos are also known to cause drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, loss of engine control, linked speeches, slow breathing, muscle weakness, etc.

In addition, these drugs can form habits.

"Benzodiazepines work by slowing down nerve activity in the brain and the rest of the central nervous system, diffusing stress and its physical and emotional side effects," said the American dependence centers .

In addition to their tranquilizing effects, benzodiazepines release dopamine in the brain, "the chemical messenger involved in reward and pleasure," they said. "The brain can learn to expect regular doses of Benzos after a few weeks to take them and therefore stop working to produce these chemicals without them."

You should not try to stop using for yourself. Talk to your doctor to get advice on how to wean benzodiazepines safely, or if you believe that you know negative side effects from benzos, or if you have developed medication search behaviors surrounding their use.