A bombshell new study has uncovered a terrifying link between some of America's most popular psychiatric medications and a devastating brain disease that kills most patients within years.
Swedish researchers analyzed nearly 9,000 people and found that folks taking common anti-anxiety pills, sleeping meds, and antidepressants had a significantly higher chance of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — the brutal disease that destroyed baseball legend Lou Gehrig.
The numbers are jaw-dropping: People who popped anxiety pills had a 34% higher risk of getting ALS. Those on antidepressants? A 26% increased risk. Sleep medications bumped the danger up by 21%.
But here's the real kicker — patients who had taken these meds before their ALS diagnosis didn't just get the disease more often. They also died faster once they got it.
The findings come from researchers at Sweden's prestigious Karolinska Institute, who spent years analyzing patient data to uncover this disturbing pattern.
ALS - A Deadly Disease
ALS is a neurological nightmare that attacks the nerve cells controlling muscles. Patients gradually lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe. Most people die within 2-5 years of diagnosis.
The disease has mystified doctors for decades. Only about 10% of cases run in families — the rest seem to strike randomly. Famous victims include physicist Stephen Hawking, who lived unusually long with the condition, and, more recently, former NFL players and military veterans.
YOUNGER PEOPLE HIT HARDEST
The Swedish study, published in JAMA Network Open, tracked over 1,000 ALS patients for eight years. The researchers found the medication link was strongest in people under 65.
"It's particularly concerning that we're seeing this in younger patients," noted the study. "These are people in their prime working years."
The study looked at three main types of psychiatric drugs:
Anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications like Xanax and Ativan)
Hypnotics and sedatives (sleeping pills like Ambien and Lunesta)
Antidepressants (like Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro)
NOT JUST PILLS — THE DISEASES TOO?
Here's where it gets complicated: The researchers can't tell if it's the medications themselves causing problems or if it's the underlying mental health conditions they treat.
Previous studies have shown people with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders already have higher ALS risks. So are the pills making things worse, or are these psychiatric symptoms early warning signs of ALS?
It's the classic chicken-and-egg problem that has medical experts calling for more research to figure out what's really going on.
HEALTH OUTCOMES ARE WORSE
ALS patients who had taken psychiatric medications before their diagnosis didn't just get the disease more often. They also had much worse outcomes:
Anxiety med users: 52% higher death risk
Antidepressant users: Whopping 72% higher death risk
They also lost physical function faster than other ALS patients
DOCTORS URGE CAUTION, NOT PANIC
Medical experts stress that people shouldn't panic and stop taking prescribed psychiatric medications.
These medications can save lives when it comes to mental health, and the absolute risk of ALS is still minimal. Untreated depression and anxiety can be deadly, too.
The study's authors agree, noting that millions of people take these medications safely. They're calling for more research to better understand the connection.
WHAT PATIENTS SHOULD DO
Doctors recommend:
Don't stop medications without talking to your doctor first. Rapidly stopping medications can cause serious health issues.
Discuss concerns with your healthcare provider. Ask them if there are other options to medications such as counseling and supplements.
Watch for early ALS symptoms like muscle weakness, twitching, or speech problems
Maintain perspective — ALS affects only about 2 in 100,000 people annually
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This isn't the first study to link psychiatric conditions with ALS. Previous research has found higher rates of depression, anxiety, and even suicide in families affected by ALS.
Some scientists think there might be shared genetic factors or biological pathways between mental health disorders and ALS. Others suspect chronic stress and inflammation might play a role.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Swedish team is calling for larger, longer studies to nail down the connection. They want to know:
Is it the drugs or the diseases they treat?
Which specific medications are riskiest?
Can changing treatments reduce ALS risk?
With so many lives potentially at stake, getting these answers has become a medical priority.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The study discussed shows a correlation, not causation, between psychiatric medications and ALS risk. Do not stop taking prescribed medications without consulting your healthcare provider. Always consult a healthcare professional for any health concerns. The absolute risk of developing ALS remains very low for most individuals. This article is based on a single study and should not be used to make treatment decisions.
About the Authors: Feel Amazing Daily was co-founded by Keith Ablow, MD and Kathryn Munoz PhD., MPH. Together, they have decades of experience in healthcare and health communications, including publishing New York Times Best Selling books, advising leading healthcare companies, coaching medical leaders, and appearing on national programs like the Today Show, Fox News and Oprah.
Read more at Keith & Kathy's Corner
