Ahmeenah Hasan

English Composition 1201

Professor Williams

26 March 2021

Medicine and Memory: Is it Worth The Risk?

Medicine has been around for almost 3000 years. Dating back to 2112 BC Egyptians

used willow bark as pain relief. Over time, the medical field has evolved, discovering new ways

to relieve pain and other illnesses faster. Though these drugs can be beneficial at the moment,

they also can have serious negative side effects later in life. The terms Alzheimer's and dementia

have been used for over 100 years, dating back to 1910. A progressive illness that deteriorates

cognitive and mental functions in the brain is called Alzheimer’s. Over time science has shown

that some drugs can cause this disease to form or progress faster. One of those drugs is

anticholinergic drugs; these types of drugs are commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease, high
cholesterol, and bladder control.

The image above shows how some pills increase the risk of dementia within a 10-20 year

period. The more pills have taken the higher the risk. The benefits of anticholinergic drugs do not

outweigh the increased risks of dementia and memory loss in the future. using certain drugs

such as anticholinergic can lower acetylcholine, A primary neurotransmitter of memory and

learning causing forgetfulness and trouble concentrating

 There is a risk of every medication, memory being the most common. These are two

major medications that have major effects on different areas of the brain. Anticholinergic and

Benzodiazepines drugs. These medications target acetylcholine neurotransmitters that play a

major role in memory and learning in the brain. Anticholinergic drugs include allergy medicine,

sleep aid, and cholesterol-lowering pills. Studies show after switching anticholinergic drugs

cognitive problems improved over a while. Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed to treat

anxiety stress and sleep insomnia. Long-term use of benzodiazepines gives a higher risk of

Alzheimer’s and other dementia-like diseases.

Thanks to modern science in today’s world for just about any illness or disease there is a

medicine or cure. Medicines target certain parts of the brain and body relieving pain, fighting

viruses and bacteria, overall trying to help the body. And although Alzheimer's and dementia

were around before these medications were, and science has shown there are some ways to slow

the progression of the disease, however, new modern drugs can have more effects on the body

and brain negatively going forward. In the previous paragraph, we spoke about anticholinergic

drugs, what it was and its effects on the brain. An estimated 25% of older adults take

anticholinergic most often used to treat allergies, help with sleep insomnia, bladder control, and

stop diarrhea. . Elderly people are more open to negative effects from these drugs because their

brain already produces acetylcholine at a low rate, so many people relate these symptoms with

aging rather than drugs.

“ Memory loss can be a part of aging however many people are experiencing negative symptoms

at a younger age drug use is one of the main problems rather than over the crown or a prescribed
the most prescribed drugs is that in drugs “80% of Statin drug users have cognitive problems”

Benzo drugs such as Xanax and Valiums that treat anxiety are very common. Certain drugs have

different effects and may be stronger than others. For example, People Who are on short-acting

benzodiazepines like Xanax and Restoril We’re at a lower risk than those who are on long-acting

ones. Dr.Malaz Boustani conducted a research experiment for over six months.

At the end of this experiment, Dr. Boustani concluded that after taking a patient off a series of

drugs such as Benadryl antihistamines for itching medicine for mood fluctuations in urinary

incontinence memory problems improved. She scored in the average range with a 28, after

scoring 11 of 30 showing extreme dementia. This further proves my claim, the use of multiple

over-the-counter and prescribed drugs affects the brain after long-term use.

Anticholinergic drugs in older people due to the aging process in the drug that happens with old

age side effects are more pronounced. Kirk Parsley MD and former Navy seal found that while

studying EEGs of other Navy SEALs brains, patterns show that The men were not actually

asleep but were unconscious similar to being in a coma or drunk. In other words, their body was

asleep and their brain was awake. When you sleep , it gives time for your brain to recuperate,

which theirs was not experiencing.Another study also found that seniors who took

over-the-counter drugs with no long-term use required still had an increased progression of

dementia and Alzheimer’s.

You should always check health risks when taking any medication. Though some medications

can have a positive impact at the moment, it can have a negative effect in the future. Taking care

of your body is important especially when aging. Knowing medicines and risks that come with
them can help you live longer without speeding the process of aging because that is what taking

these medications can do. Medications that cause confusion, memory or cognitive problems

should be avoided , especially in cases where cognitive problems are already present. Even

though these drugs can cause problems , never just quit taking them , always ask a doctor before

starting and stopping medications.

Work Cited

Deane Alban “ Drugs That Cause Memory Loss (What Can You Do?)” May 2020

https://bebrainfit.com/drugs-memory-loss/ Accessed 06 March 2021

Dr. Admon B. Neel “ Caution! These tin drugs can cause memory loss” 09 February 2016

https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-2017/caution-these-10-drugs-can-cause-me

mory-loss.html

Accessed 26 March 2021

Dr. Sam Robbins “ 5 popular drugs that cause Alzheimer” 30 November 2018

https://youtu.be/7wSMOFsBCX8 Accessed 06 March 2021

FDA “ Think it Through: Managing the Risks and Benefits of Medication” 18 June 2018

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.whiteswanfoundation.org/amp/story/mental-health-matters/

understanding-mental-health/do-the-benefits-of-psychiatric-drugs-outweigh-their-side-effects

Accessed 26 March 2021

Harvard Women's Health Watch “ Two types of drugs that you may want to avoid for the

sake of your brain “. Published 2015 October, Updated 02 March 2021

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/two-types-of-drugs-you-may-want-to-avoid-for-

the-sake-of-your-brain Accessed 08 March 2021

Judith Graham “Common Medicine Can Masquerade As Dementia in Seniors “. 25 June

2019

https://www.google.com/amp/s/khn.org/news/common-medications-can-masquerade-as-dementi

a-in-seniors/amp/ Accessed 08 March 2021

National Institute of Aging “ What Happens to The Brain During Alzheimer Disease “.

16 May 2017

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-happens-brain-alzheimers-disease Accessed 08

March 2021

Pavitra Jayaraman “ Do the benefits of psychiatric drugs outweigh the side effects” 28

January 2016

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.whiteswanfoundation.org/amp/story/mental-health-matters/

understanding-mental-health/do-the-benefits-of-psychiatric-drugs-outweigh-their-side-effects

Accessed 26 March 2021