Millions of Americans take gabapentin for chronic pain—especially back pain, nerve discomfort, and sciatica.
It’s often seen as a safer alternative to opioids.
No high.
Minimal side effects (or so we thought).
Prescribed widely—from weekend warriors to seniors.
But now, a major new study is sounding the alarm:
💥 Long-term use of gabapentin may be linked to a significantly higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline—especially in adults under 65.
Let’s break down what this means, who’s most at risk, and what you can do if you or a loved one relies on this medication. ✨💛
🔬 The Study: What Researchers Found
A landmark study published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine analyzed data from 26,414 adults prescribed gabapentin for persistent low-back pain—compared to a matched group with similar pain who didn’t take the drug.
Data came from 68 health systems across the U.S., making it one of the largest real-world studies of its kind.
📉 Key Findings:
