Xanax & the Brain: Can Xanax Cause Memory Loss (For Seniors)?

August 16, 2024 | News | Reading Time 10:00 Minutes

Xanax-related memory loss and dementia: they often look similar. “But does Xanax cause memory loss?” You might wonder.

While Xanax use peaked in 2014 according to a Statista.com study tracking Xanax use from 2004-2021, knowing whether this popular benzodiazepine drug causes memory loss is key for ensuring the longevity and health of senior populations.

If you or a loved one are experiencing — or are trying to prevent experiencing — memory loss, this article is for you. Also, if you’re at all worried, scared, anxious, or even a little curious about why memory loss occurs, we understand. And we’re here to help.

Village Green here: for more than 30 years, our caregivers and healthcare specialists have provided top-quality comprehensive memory care and assisted living solutions to older adults. We have the answers you’re looking for when it comes to Xanax and memory loss.

In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know to answer the question: does Xanax cause memory loss? Let’s dive in.

The connection between Xanax and memory loss

Alprazolam — the clinical name for Xanax — is a type of benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that help treat anxiety disorders.

Like many medications, Xanax doesn’t come out without side effects. Xanax (and other benzodiazepines) can affect the brain and body, everything from processing speed to attention to memory and even physical activity.

A common side effect of Xanax while it’s in a person’s system is amnesia — or in laymen’s terms, memory loss.

Many of the residents and families who are in the process of deciding between memory care and nursing homes for a loved one experiencing memory loss often are heartened to hear that Xanax often affects short-term memory loss — and not necessarily long-term memory loss.

Let’s dive a little deeper into the subject.

Xanax and short-term memory loss

Xanax works by attaching to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain. The medication then attaches itself to these receptors and slows down the release of chemicals that excite the body.

As a result, people often feel calmer. At the same time, taking Xanax can cause brain signals to decrease, which can cause sleepiness and forgetfulness.

The forgetfulness tends to go away after the body metabolizes the medication. So, Xanax can cause short-term memory loss while the medication is still active in the body.

More than half of the medication tends to stay in the body’s system for 6-20 hours after first ingested. During this period, short-term memory gaps can occur.

To put this number in perspective, when compared with other benzodiazepines like diazepam (also known as Valium®), our bodies can take 20-100 hours to digest and expel a dose of Valium®.

So, while Xanax is related to memory loss, the question remains: does Xanax cause memory loss?

Benzodiazepines: their relationship with dementia and memory loss

Understanding the relationship between the effects of long-term benzodiazepine use on memory is tricky. While some people may notice memory problems while taking benzodiazepines like Xanax, researchers are still figuring out whether using Xanax to treat anxiety is the reason for memory issues.

Sometimes, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can cause people to feel anxious. So, people with memory loss and dementia are more likely to take benzodiazepines because they’re feeling anxious.

Systematic reviews of research literature have found a link between long-term benzodiazepine use and ongoing memory and cognitive problems. But, the jury is still out on whether the medication caused the memory loss or whether elderly individuals who take benzodiazepines also happen to have memory problems previously to taking the medication

In other words, even though the symptoms of dementia and the effects of taking prescribed benzodiazepine medication (e.g. forgetfulness and drowsiness) look similar, they occur for different reasons.

The good news is that while benzodiazepines affect memory centers in the brain, memory issues may be reversible.

The quandary of whether Xanax-related memory loss is reversible

So, while Xanax can cause temporary memory impairments in adults, short-term and long-term memory impairments won’t remain after a person expels benzodiazepines from their system. With that being said, this may not be the case for older adults, but even so, the effects of memory loss tend to be small and barely noticeable.

Since aging can cause a person’s body to slow down and not operate with the same vitality as when it was younger, the body may take longer to remove medications from the bloodstream. As a result, when elderly people stop taking alprazolam — for example — the effects of this medication may stick around longer and cause stronger side effects.

Is memory loss from Xanax reversible, though? Research suggests it might be.

The good news is that once a person stops taking Xanax for a few days, the effects of memory  loss should go away.

Seniors: if you’re experiencing anxiety and also happen to have dementia, we recommend speaking with your primary care physician and trusted healthcare network to determine which treatment is best for those living with anxiety and pre-existing memory loss.

Many seniors with anxiety and dementia opt for anti-anxiety medication as their first choice instead of benzodiazepines. The reason being that long-term use of benzodiazepines can increase a person’s chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Should your healthcare provider prescribe benzodiazepines — and should you decide you want to stop taking benzodiazepines  — we recommend reaching out to your care team to discuss how to taper off the meds and reduce the likelihood of a benzodiazepine drug withdrawal.

While we’re no experts on pharmacology, we can’t emphasize how important it is to consult with a medical expert and your healthcare provider to determine the right care for you.

Doing so will give you and your loved one the peace of mind and self-assurance needed to make healthy decisions linked to dementia and memory care.

Did you know?

Did you know meditation can help improve working memory? There are simple activities you can add to your routine to support overall wellness, including meditation and much more!

For example, in celebration of National Woman’s Day, our ladies enjoyed a night of soothing relaxation — along with face masks, organic green tea, scented lotions, and meditation.

You can take a look at some of the photos here for inspiration on your next memory-boosting endeavor.

Table: 4 facts about Xanax (and benzodiazepines) and memory loss

– Fact #1: Benzodiazepines, like Alprazolam (brand name Xanax), Lorazepam (brand name Ativan), and diazepam (brand name Valium) is linked to memory loss. – Fact #2: Memory loss may be reversible. The research is ongoing. – Fact #3: People who take benzodiazepines like Xanax aren’t always aware of the changes in their brain or memory impairments that occur as a result of ingesting the medications. – Fact #4: Xanax increases the activity of key brain neurotransmitters called gamma-aminobutyric acids (GABA). GABA neurotransmitters have a calming effect on a person’s nervous system.

Does Xanax cause memory loss?

Yes, Xanax can cause memory impairment. But, the memory loss may be reversible. The research is still ongoing on the subject.

Does Xanax cause dementia? As of this publication date, no evidence exists identifying Xanax as the cause of dementia.

But, the effects of dementia often look similar to the effects of Xanax on the body. For example, people who ingest Xanax experience side effects like forgetfulness and sleepiness.

Seniors with dementia: whether you’re receiving in-home dementia care or living in a memory care facility, always make sure to consult a clinical physician before considering taking benzodiazepines.

If you experience anxiety and insomnia, consult with your healthcare team to determine whether Xanax or other anti-anxiety medications are right for you.

For everything else memory care-related, we can help. To learn more about how we support individuals with dementia, give one of our knowledgeable senior care professionals a call at (516) 271-2500. Contact us today!

We’d be more than happy to lend you a hand.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Xanax and memory loss

Can Xanax cause dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease?

As of the date of this publication, there’s no scientific evidence that says Xanax causes dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease. But, for older adults, the side effects of Xanax — like forgetfulness and drowsiness, both of which are similar symptoms to dementia and Alzheimer’s — can last longer and be more pronounced.

The side effects of dementia and the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease look similar. We’d forgive you if you thought one caused the other.

With that being said, memory loss can occur while Xanax is in the body. And while there’s no research saying that Xanax causes dementia, there’s a connection between Xanax’s side effects and dementia symptoms.

What’s the link between benzodiazepines and dementia?

That’s the million dollar question. While researchers are still trying to figure out the answer to this question, experts are clear on the fact that older adults are at a higher risk for the experiencing benzodiazepine’s undesirable side effects.

What’s the difference between dementia-related and Xanax-induced memory loss?

Dementia-related memory loss results from abnormal amounts or forms of proteins that build up in the brain. The changes in the brain that result from these build-up of proteins often manifest themselves as memory loss.

With Xanax, memory loss of events occur, but only while the medication is in a person’s system. In other words, the duration and intensity of the memory loss is often temporary and isn’t related to a buildup of proteins and chemicals.

Research is still ongoing about whether Xanax causes permanent memory loss or if it’s mitigated by a pre-existing condition.

“Friendly, attentive, helpful, caring, and cooperative.”

”My mother is a newer resident of the Village Green and we could not be happier so far! The staff has gone out of their way to be friendly, attentive, helpful, caring, and cooperative.

My mom had to enter under very difficult circumstances, and I feel that are all genuinely concerned for her and committed to keeping her safe and happy.

I feel we absolutely made the right decision in choosing Village Green, and we look forward to many positive experiences moving forward.” – Michelle R., grateful Village Green family member.