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It started with a simple name that felt as if it was on the tip of your tongue, but you just couldn’t find it. Over time, forgetting a name or two morphed into forgetting important dates and events. Then it became hard to join in on conversations and other activities.
As you begin to lose gaps in time, your mind goes to the worst-case scenario. Could this be early-onset dementia, Alzheimer's, or something worse? Relief washes over you as the doctor explains that it’s a side effect of your current medication. And it is reversible by switching to a different type of medication.
Privately, you can’t help but wonder if the things you didn’t tell your doctor might be the real cause of your memory failure. You think of the marijuana you enjoy in the evenings. And ponder your occasional recreational drug indulgences. Could those be the true culprits behind your memory problems?
At Oregon’s Serenity Lane, we help people with alcohol and substance use disorders regain control of their lives. We offer a full continuum of care, including detox, residential, outpatient, and alumni programs.
According to a 2021 report by Statista, 30% of adults in Oregon use cannabis, which is known to cause memory loss. Keep reading to learn what other pharmaceutical and recreational drugs are tied to memory problems.
Our memory is both a repository of our past and a guide for our present and future lives.
Memory matters more than we often realize. It allows us to learn from our past, store knowledge about our surroundings, and understand how the world around us works. This information plays a crucial role in helping us navigate our current circumstances and shape our future actions.
Memory also plays an important part in our psychological well-being. Our memories help build emotional ties to the world around us and motivate us to want more of it. For example, more friendships, good food, love, and meaningful work. We can thank our memory for playing a large part in our drive to pursue things that matter deeply to us.
Memory loss can lead to confusion, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating. In some cases, it can cause difficulty in performing our jobs, a loss of confidence, social isolation, or depression.
There is a beautiful, complex process behind how memories work, but much of it is theoretical or still unknown. As scientists learn more, we may one day discover how to treat memory-related conditions. Until then, understanding which drugs are tied to memory loss may help you and your doctor make better decisions about what treatment plans are best for you.
Memory loss is a common side effect of hundreds of medications, including certain prescription, popular over-the-counter, and a wide range of recreational drugs.
When it comes to OTC and prescription medications, there’s one medical term worth memorizing: anticholinergics. Anticholinergics are a class of drugs that influence or suppress certain cognitive functions, particularly the ability to form and retain memories.
Anticholinergic medications are commonly found in both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. More than 600 medications are tied to some level of anticholinergic effects.
In many cases, memory impairment caused by anticholinergic medications is reversible upon discontinuation of the drug. However, as we age, the effects of anticholinergics can have a more critical, long-lasting effect. For example, a 2016 study of senior citizens found that all anticholinergics significantly reduced the size of their brains. Additionally, studies have shown that people (of any age) who use anticholinergic drugs on a regular basis experience a higher rate of mental decline over time.
It can be difficult to tell whether the medication you’re purchasing is an anticholinergic, as they are often noted in the small print and leaflets, if at all.
Some prescription medications tied to memory problems include:
Common over-the-counter medications tied to memory issues include:
Benzodiazepines (benzos) slow brain activity. Their side effects include problems with memory.
Certain tricyclic antidepressants (an older class of antidepressants), such as Amitriptyline and Doxepin, are tied to memory loss.
If you’re concerned about whether your prescription medication(s) may cause memory impairment, ask your doctor. Please don’t stop taking your prescription medications without talking to your doctor. Memory issues are often temporary and less critical than the medical reasons behind your treatment.
Opioid studies are ongoing, and there is not enough current information to state, with certainty, that opioids cause memory loss. However, one Yale School of Medicine study found clusters of people with a history of opioid use who were unable to form new memories. Their studies also mentioned swelling in the brain of several overdose patients, amnesia, and permanent memory impairment problems.
Recreational drugs tied to memory loss include:
Studies show that drug addiction causes changes to areas of the brain that are critical to memory.
The above list is a sampling, not a complete list, of drugs that can affect your memory. Not enough research is available to know, with certainty, which drugs or medications are “safe” from memory loss side effects.
To determine whether your medication or drug puts you at risk for memory loss, ask your doctor and pharmacist.
Substance use disorder (SUD) has far-reaching effects on a person’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Over time, it can lead to serious memory loss and cognitive decline. If you’re experiencing memory loss due to substance use, seeking treatment is essential to preventing further cognitive decline.
At Serenity Lane in Oregon, we understand how SUD can affect your mental well-being and cognitive abilities. If you’re experiencing drug-related memory loss, we're here for you. We offer a wide range of treatment services, including medication-assisted treatment, day treatment, long-term residential treatment, outpatient treatment, and more. Reach out to us today and ask about individualized treatment plans. Call us anytime at (800) 543-9905.
What drug causes the most memory loss?
Many drugs can cause memory loss. The degree to which a drug impairs your memory varies according to dosage, frequency, duration of use, and other factors.
What drug gives you memory loss and fatigue?
Many anticholinergic drugs, including Benzodiazepines and sleep medications, can cause both memory loss and fatigue.
Which blood pressure medications cause memory loss?
Results of considerable studies, systematic reviews, and clinical trials have so far found no solid link between antihypertensive drugs and memory loss.
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