Wrap your mind around this!

My new episode is on the topic of psychiatric illnesses. And one important obstacle to managing these conditions – one of many obstacles, of course, stigma and misinformation being some others – is the reluctance to manage these conditions with medication. Often this reluctance stems from a fear that these drugs are mind-altering. I’d thus like to point out that, in fact, this is also true for many over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers and acidity medicines – and in my new podcast episode, ‘When the brain misfires’, you’ll hear Dr Kersi Chavda say it’s also true for some diabetes and hypertension medicines. Many OTC medications also work by altering the brain in some way. Here are some studies that highlight the effects of ordinary OTC painkillers and acidity medicines on the brain:

Painkillers:

A study published in the journal "Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience" found that taking acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, reduced the brain's response to social rejection. Participants who took acetaminophen before playing a virtual ball-tossing game that excluded them from the game reported feeling less social pain compared to those who took a placebo. The researchers concluded that acetaminophen may work by reducing activity in the brain's dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, which is associated with social pain.

Another study published in the journal "Pain" found that ibuprofen, the active ingredient in Advil, has a positive effect on pain perception and emotional processing. The study showed that participants who took ibuprofen before performing a painful task rated the pain as less intense compared to those who took a placebo. The researchers also found that ibuprofen reduced the intensity of negative emotions, such as fear and anger, suggesting that it has a mood-enhancing effect.

A study published in the journal "Psychopharmacology" found that aspirin, the active ingredient in many painkillers, has a positive effect on cognitive function. The study showed that participants who took aspirin performed better on cognitive tasks that measured attention and memory compared to those who took a placebo. The researchers concluded that aspirin may work by reducing inflammation in the brain, which can have a positive impact on cognitive function.

Acidity medications

Antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are not typically considered brain-altering drugs, as they do not directly affect brain function. However, some studies have suggested that long-term use of these medications may have negative effects on cognitive function and brain health.

For example, a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that long-term use of PPIs was associated with an increased risk of dementia. The study followed more than 10,000 participants over the age of 50 for up to seven years and found that those who took PPIs had a 44% increased risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not take the medication. The researchers suggested that PPIs may impact the brain by reducing the production of certain neurotransmitters that are essential for cognitive function.

And here's another fun fact: A study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" found that long-term use of certain antacids was associated with an increased risk of developing kidney disease. The study followed more than 10,000 participants over the age of 65 for up to 14 years and found that those who took antacids had a 20% increased risk of developing kidney disease compared to those who did not take the medication. The researchers suggested that antacids may impact the kidney's ability to regulate the body's pH balance, which can lead to kidney damage over time.

Now here's why you needn't worry about everything you just read. All these medications are generally considered safe when used as directed. Those are the magic words: Use as directed. As long as you don't self-medicate, your qualified healthcare provider will show you the best way to benefit from these.

You don't need to suffer through the anguish your brain puts you through any more than you need to put up with the pain of IBS or a muscle pull. Science has made sure of that. So stock some faith in the work that's been done by the world's best minds over hundreds of years of research and follow your doctor's advice especially when it comes to psychiatric illnesses.