Psychiatric drugs linked to higher ALS risk, Swedish study warns
By isabelle // 2025-06-12
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  • A Swedish study links psychiatric drugs to higher ALS risk—34% for anxiety meds, 26% for antidepressants, and 21% for sedatives.
  • ALS patients on these medications declined faster and had shorter survival times, with antidepressants tied to a 72% higher mortality risk.
  • Researchers suggest psychiatric symptoms or drug mechanisms may trigger neurodegenerative pathways, although causation isn’t confirmed.
  • Neurologists warn ALS is incurable and fatal, urging caution with long-term psychiatric medication use.
  • Natural alternatives like psychotherapy, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes offer safer, effective options with lower relapse rates.
A groundbreaking Swedish study has uncovered alarming connections between common psychiatric medications and the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating neurodegenerative disease. Published in JAMA Network Open, the research found that individuals prescribed anxiety medications faced a 34% higher risk of ALS, while antidepressants increased risk by 26% and sedatives by 21%. The study, which analyzed more than 1,000 ALS patients, also revealed that these drugs correlated with faster disease progression and shorter survival times. The findings may not be conclusive proof of causation, but they do raise urgent questions about the long-term safety of psychiatric drugs, particularly for the millions relying on them for depression, anxiety, and insomnia. With ALS remaining incurable and fatal, the study underscores the need for caution in prescribing these medications and highlights the viability of natural, non-pharmaceutical alternatives.

The hidden dangers of psychiatric drugs

The Swedish research team examined nationwide health data, tracking patients diagnosed with ALS between 2015 and 2023. To minimize bias, they compared ALS patients with healthy controls matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic factors. Strikingly, the heightened risk persisted even when medications were taken more than five years before an ALS diagnosis, suggesting a potential long-term biological effect. Dr. Kimberly Idoko, a neurologist unaffiliated with the study, emphasized the grim reality of ALS: "Once ALS starts, we don’t have a way to stop or reverse it." The disease, which claimed the life of physicist Stephen Hawking, typically kills patients within two to five years of diagnosis. The study’s authors theorized that psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances might themselves contribute to neurodegenerative processes. Alternatively, the drugs could disrupt biological pathways linked to ALS, such as oxidative stress and immune dysfunction.

Faster decline, shorter survival

Beyond increased risk, the study found that ALS patients who had taken psychiatric medications experienced more rapid physical decline. Those prescribed antidepressants, for example, faced a 72% higher mortality risk post-diagnosis compared to non-users. Daniel Glazer, a clinical psychologist, noted that psychiatric symptoms often precede motor dysfunction in ALS by years. "This research may shift how we think about long-term monitoring," he said, advocating for closer attention to atypical psychiatric patterns in at-risk patients.

Natural alternatives can make a difference

While the study stops short of declaring psychiatric drugs a direct cause of ALS, it reinforces concerns about their risks, particularly when safer, evidence-based alternatives exist. Psychotherapy, for instance, has been shown in multiple studies to match or surpass antidepressants in treating depression, with lower relapse rates. Herbal remedies like St. John’s wort, lifestyle changes, and mindfulness practices offer effective, non-toxic options for managing anxiety and depression. A 1986 Edinburgh study found that psychotherapy patients had a 23% relapse rate after two years, compared to 78% for those on medication alone. The Swedish study adds to mounting evidence that psychiatric medications may be beneficial for some patients but carry underpublicized dangers. With ALS already a death sentence for those diagnosed, even a modest increase in risk demands scrutiny. Patients and doctors alike should weigh these findings carefully, considering natural and psychological interventions before turning to pills. This study adds to to the growing body of evidence that true healing often lies beyond the pharmacy counter. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com JAMANetwork.com ScienceAlert.com
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