This Sleep Aid is Linked to DEMENTIA

YouTube Video VVVlMGZIV2pGTFg2RGVjVGhkVF9DWnl3LkVqNkZBZ2tUTldB

In this video, I break down the latest U.S. News & World Report Best OTC Sleep Aids list and explain why many of these popular sleep products could actually harm your brain long term. Most of these over-the-counter sleep aids contain diphenhydramine – an antihistamine that causes drowsiness by blocking histamine, but also blocks acetylcholine, a critical brain chemical for learning, memory, and cognition.<br /><br />Here’s what you’ll learn in this video:<br />✅ What diphenhydramine is and how it works<br />✅ The surprising link between anticholinergic drugs and dementia<br />✅ Why OTC sleep aids can leave you groggy, disrupt REM sleep, and lose effectiveness within days<br />✅ The difference between sedation and real, restorative sleep<br />✅ Safe and effective alternatives to over-the-counter sleep medications for better long-term sleep<br /><br />💡 If you’re a senior, caregiver, or anyone who relies on nightly OTC sleep aids, this video is a must-watch. Your sleep health and cognitive health are too important to risk.<br /><br />⤵️ Learn about more ways to get better sleep on my website HERE! ⤵️<br />https://sleepdoctor.com/?youtube_id=Ej6FAgkTNWA<br /><br />✅ Having trouble sleeping? Try an at-home sleep test to help get to the bottom of your sleep problems: https://shop.sleepdoctor.com/pages/drmike?youtube_id=Ej6FAgkTNWA<br /><br />📺 WATCH NEXT:<br />The Best Mattresses of 2025 - My Top 8 Picks!: https://youtu.be/LaFA6kuW1Ds<br />How to Fall Back Asleep in the Middle of the Night: https://youtu.be/NN4wWO2kSY8<br />Better Sleep For Seniors (The ONLY Routine You Need!) 65+: https://youtu.be/MXa-O3ZydTg<br />8 Ways for Seniors to Sleep Better Tonight: https://youtu.be/_bGHaWnr4Vo<br />5 Supplements Seniors Should Take For AMAZING Sleep: https://youtu.be/km_-AP-yYhw<br /><br />0:00 The Dangers of Taking Sleep Aids<br />1:30 Why Diphenhydramine Makes You Sleepy<br />3:45 How Diphenhydramine Kills Your Brain<br />6:15 Other Reasons to Avoid Sleep Aids<br /><br />Research used in this video:<br />https://sleepreviewmag.com/sleep-treatments/pharmaceuticals/otc/the-best-over-the-counter-sleep-aids-of-2024/<br />https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2736353<br />https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013540.pub2/full<br />https://www.ajgponline.org/article/S1064-7481(12)61263-9/abstract<br /><br /><br />😴 👨‍⚕️ Michael Breus, Ph.D., is a double board-certified clinical psychologist and sleep expert. He's been in practice since 1999 and helped thousands of patients improve their sleep. Dr. Breus has written five books on sleep and conducted over 1,000 interviews to the press and public.<br /><br />#sleep #bettersleep #sleeping #sleeptips #sleepinstantly

Sleep Doctor 3.7K views September 17, 2025 8:04 pm

In this video, I break down the latest U.S. News & World Report Best OTC Sleep Aids list and explain why many of these popular sleep products could actually harm your brain long term. Most of these over-the-counter sleep aids contain diphenhydramine – an antihistamine that causes drowsiness by blocking histamine, but also blocks acetylcholine, a critical brain chemical for learning, memory, and cognition.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this video:
✅ What diphenhydramine is and how it works
✅ The surprising link between anticholinergic drugs and dementia
✅ Why OTC sleep aids can leave you groggy, disrupt REM sleep, and lose effectiveness within days
✅ The difference between sedation and real, restorative sleep
✅ Safe and effective alternatives to over-the-counter sleep medications for better long-term sleep

💡 If you’re a senior, caregiver, or anyone who relies on nightly OTC sleep aids, this video is a must-watch. Your sleep health and cognitive health are too important to risk.

⤵️ Learn about more ways to get better sleep on my website HERE! ⤵️
https://sleepdoctor.com/?youtube_id=Ej6FAgkTNWA

✅ Having trouble sleeping? Try an at-home sleep test to help get to the bottom of your sleep problems: https://shop.sleepdoctor.com/pages/drmike?youtube_id=Ej6FAgkTNWA

📺 WATCH NEXT:
The Best Mattresses of 2025 – My Top 8 Picks!: https://youtu.be/LaFA6kuW1Ds
How to Fall Back Asleep in the Middle of the Night: https://youtu.be/NN4wWO2kSY8
Better Sleep For Seniors (The ONLY Routine You Need!) 65+: https://youtu.be/MXa-O3ZydTg
8 Ways for Seniors to Sleep Better Tonight: https://youtu.be/_bGHaWnr4Vo
5 Supplements Seniors Should Take For AMAZING Sleep: https://youtu.be/km_-AP-yYhw

0:00 The Dangers of Taking Sleep Aids
1:30 Why Diphenhydramine Makes You Sleepy
3:45 How Diphenhydramine Kills Your Brain
6:15 Other Reasons to Avoid Sleep Aids

Research used in this video:
https://sleepreviewmag.com/sleep-treatments/pharmaceuticals/otc/the-best-over-the-counter-sleep-aids-of-2024/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2736353
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013540.pub2/full
https://www.ajgponline.org/article/S1064-7481(12)61263-9/abstract

😴 👨‍⚕️ Michael Breus, Ph.D., is a double board-certified clinical psychologist and sleep expert. He’s been in practice since 1999 and helped thousands of patients improve their sleep. Dr. Breus has written five books on sleep and conducted over 1,000 interviews to the press and public.

#sleep #bettersleep #sleeping #sleeptips #sleepinstantly