Paige Moore-Mitchell 9th period

Common over the counter drugs that can harm your brain

Science has linked anticholinergic drugs with cognitive impairment and an increased risk of dementia. Though you may have never heard of this class of drug it is in medications like Benadryl, Demerol, Dimetapp, Dramamine, Paxil, Unisom and VESIcare.. They are sold over the counter and by prescription as sleep aids and for chronic diseases including hypertension, cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study looked at 451 people who are around the age of 73. 60 of them were taking medication with some or majority of anticholinergic activity. The studies revealed that people taking anticholinergic drugs performed worse on short-term memory tests, as well as verba reasoning,planning, and problem solving. They also showed low glucose metabolism, reduced brain volume, and larger ventricles.

This is actually scary to think that medicine which is suppose to be improving our help could be harming us. I`ve actually used to take benadryl a long time ago for my allergies. Hopefully, doctors andd scientists an either find a solution or alternative to these medicines.