Painkillers and dementia: Is there a link?

You already know that I’m not always a fan of pharmaceutical medications—especially when they’re used as a first-line “treatment” option.

But I also recognize that they have their place. And more importantly, they often provide clues that can lead us to safer solutions.

That’s why I frequently read studies on medications—to uncover insights that might point toward better, natural alternatives.

Take this new, long-term study on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and dementia risk, for example.

The headlines suggest your over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller might protect your brain… but, as always, there’s more to the story.

A clue in the fight against dementia

Researchers tracked over 11,700 adults for more than 14 years to see how NSAID use might impact brain health.

At study outset, none of the subjects had dementia. However, by the end of the study, 18 percent received a diagnosis.

Participants were grouped by their NSAID use:

• Non- or short-term use: less than 1 month
• Intermediate-term use: 1 to 24 months
• Long-term use: over 24 months

Ultimately, long-term users had a 12 percent lower risk of dementia compared to non-users. (That’s the part making headlines.) But here’s the kicker: short- and intermediate-term users actually had no risk reduction—if anything, their risk slightly increased.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here—what can we learn from these findings? Because they offer a HUGE clue…

This study doesn’t prove that NSAIDs prevent dementia. What it does prove is something I’ve long believed—chronic inflammation plays a central role in the cognitive decline.

And that’s the real takeaway.

Better solutions—without the risks

Let’s not forget that NSAIDs—like ibuprofen and aspirin—and other OTC drugs like acetaminophen can do real damage over time.

These pills can wreak havoc on your liver, stomach, and kidneys. Not to mention—acetaminophen is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S.

So, the question becomes: How do we tame inflammation safely and consistently to help protect our brains—and overall health? The answer is not long-term NSAID use.

The good news is, I’ve spent decades recommending natural anti-inflammatories that support the body without tearing it down. Those include:

• Curcumin
• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
• Green lipped mussel extract
• Wobenzyme
• Boswellia
• Fish oil
• CBD

(Learn more about these recommendations in the September 2020 issue of my monthly Logical Health Alternatives newsletter. Click here now!)

Better still? These natural remedies aren’t fads. They’re backed by decades of traditional use and emerging clinical evidence.

And get this: their mechanism of action—targeting inflammation—makes them a smart, low-risk bet for long-term brain health. After all, inflammation is NOT a short-term issue. It’s a quiet fire that burns over decades.

That’s why managing inflammation is essential to healthy aging. Ask your doctor to test your inflammation markers every 3 to 6 months—and use those results to take informed steps toward taming the fire within.

For more guidance, check out my Essential Guide to Combating Inflammation. To gain access to this important online learning tool, click here now.

Source:

“Long-Term NSAID Use Linked to Lower Dementia Risk.” Medscape, 03/24/2025. (medscape.com/viewarticle/long-term-nsaid-use-linked-lower-dementia-risk-2025a10006xc)