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PaperclipPerfector  4mo ago (text post)   2827 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for December 31, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Antihistamines. Do they reduce IQ?

(Original) Benadryl is also an anticholinergic, and "Anticholinergic use later in life is associated with an increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia among older people."

I don't recall reading about any indications of problems from other antihistamines, but then again I only happened across this one by chance, years ago; I'm not an MD or pharmacist. Many antihistamines have drowsiness as a side effect, and that always makes me a bit suspicious.

Many antihistamines have drowsiness as a side effect, and that always makes me a bit suspicious.

Is "causing drowsiness" inherently an indicator of long-term negative cognitive effects?

Inherently? Surely not. This is just a vague heuristic, and I'd be shocked if it was actually a universal rule. It just seems that there are some pathways to "make brain quiet down now" that don't do so perfectly gently, which a priori isn't too surprising. General anesthesia and alcohol are the two other examples that come readily to mind. So when I see a new drug that has that effect, and there's no safe explanation (like for melatonin) apparent, I wonder if it's doing so unsafely.

I don't worry too much though. I've had general anesthesia once, and I wouldn't hesitate to take Benadryl after an allergic reaction, because I doubt the costs outweigh the benefits, and I had a glass of wine with dinner tonight, because YOLO.

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