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Concerns about Psychiatric Medications and Brain Health - #47966
I have taken lot of psychiatric medicines over years and also rtms for anxiety but there was nothing clinically serious. Do these meds or treatments cause loss of brain cells? Post stopping, i had severe withdrawal and haven't been able to sleep for years properly. Does this cause any damage or harm to the brain cells permanently? Please guide correctly.
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Doctors' responses
LONGTERM PSYCHIATRIC MEDICINES AND THE RTMS TREATMENTS FOR ANXIETY DO NOT DESTROY BRAIN CELLS THEY DO NOT CAUSE PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE WHAT YOU EXPERIENCED AFTER STOPPING THESE MEDICINES IS KNOWN AS WITHDRAWAL OR NERVOUS SYSTEM REBOUND THIS CAN INCLUDE SEVERE ANXIETY SLEEP DISTURBANCE INNER RESTLESSNESS MENTAL FOG AND IRRITABILITY THIS IS A FUNCTIONAL IMBALANCE OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM NOT A SIGN THAT YOUR BRAIN CELLS HAVE BEEN LOST OR DAMAGED LONG STANDING POOR SLEEP CAN MAKE THINKING SLOW MEMORY WEAK AND EMOTIONAL REGULATION DIFFICULT BUT THESE ARE TEMPORARY CHANGES AND ARE COMPLETELY REVERSIBLE ONCE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IS NOURISHED AND CALMED THE BRAIN RETAINS ITS FULL PLASTICITY AND ABILITY TO HEAL YOUR SITUATION REFLECTS A VATA AND MANAS DOSHA DISTURBANCE IN AYURVEDIC TERMS CAUSED BY OVERSTIMULATION AND EXHAUSTION OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM TO SUPPORT RECOVERY WE NEED TO NOURISH BOTH BODY AND MIND AND GENTLY RESTORE SLEEP AND STABILITY THIS REQUIRES PATIENCE CONSISTENCY AND THE RIGHT HERBAL SUPPORT
YOU MAY START THE FOLLOWING AYURVEDIC MEDICINES
ASHWAGANDHA POWDER HALF TEASPOON AT NIGHT WITH WARM MILK
BRAHMI POWDER HALF TEASPOON IN THE MORNING WITH WARM WATER
JATAMANSI POWDER ONE FOURTH TEASPOON AT NIGHT WITH HONEY
SHANKAPUSPISYRUP TEN ML WITH EQUAL WATER AFTER DINNER
THESE MEDICINES HELP TO CALM THE MIND NOURISH THE NERVOUS SYSTEM REDUCE ANXIETY AND SUPPORT RESTORATIVE SLEEP IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN A REGULAR DAILY ROUTINE EAT WARM AND SATTVIK MEALS AVOID CAFFEINE AND HEAVY SCREEN USE IN THE EVENING PRACTICE LIGHT BREATHING OR MEDITATION TO HELP RESET YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM RECOVERY IS GRADUAL AND MAY TAKE WEEKS OR MONTHS BUT YOUR BRAIN IS NOT DAMAGED IT IS ONLY EXHAUSTED AND IT CAN HEAL COMPLETELY WITH CONSISTENT CARE AND SUPPORT
NO, your brain cells are not dead. Psychiatric drugs alter receptor sensitivity, they do not kill neurons. The brain fog is reversible. The real damage is coming from your Chronic Insomnia, as the brain needs sleep to repair itself.
Ayurvedic Repair Protocol 1. Brahmi Ghrita (The Repairer): Dose: 1 teaspoon on an empty stomach (Morning) with warm water.
2. Manasamitra Vatakam: Dose: 1 tablet twice daily.
3. Tagara: Dose: 1 capsule (or ½ tsp powder) at night with warm milk.
Recommendation: If possible, get Shirodhara therapy (7 days). It is the fastest way to reset the brain’s electrical rhythm after years of medication.
Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma
HELLO,
DO PSYCHIATRIC MEDICINES OR rTMS cause loss of Brin cels? No, well -studied psychiatric medicines (SSRIs, Benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers) do not destroy brain cells. rTMS is non-invasive and does not damage neurons
WHAT CAN HAPPEN -Medicines change neurotransmitter balance, not brain structure -long-term use can cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms -withdrawal can feel severe, prolonged, and frigthened- but not brain damage
DOES LONG-TERM INSOMNIA OR WITHDRAWAL PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THE BRAIN? In most cases : No permanent damage -Chronic insomnia and anxiety cause functional deregulation, not neutron loss -brain plasticity remains intact -healing is slow, especially after years of medication, but possible
KEY POINTS -Symtoms iss not structural brain damage
Your brain is exhausted, sensitised, and dysregulated not destroyed
WHY SYMPTOMS FEEL PERSISTENT From both modern and ayurvedic views -nervous system stuck in hyper-arousal -HPA axis (stress system ) overstimulated -sleep wake rhythm (circadian rhythm) disturbed -In Ayurveda-> vata aggravation , mild pitta involvement
AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT
DAILY BASICS -Sleep before 10 pm even if sleep is light -warm, freshly cooked food -avoid fasting, caffiene, exces screen use at night
AYURVEDIC SUPPORT
1) OIL MASSAGE VERYY IMPORTANT -warm sesame oil massage to head, ears, soles -daily or at least 4-5 times/week
2) MEDICATIONS
-ASHWAGANDHA CHURNA= 1 tsp with warm milk at night =nervous system strength
- BRAHMI VATI= 1 tab twice daily after meals =calming, neuroprotective
-JATAMANSI CAPSULE= 1 cap at night =for sleep and withdrawal anxiety
-SHANKHAPUSHPI SYRUUP= 1 tsp twice daily after meals =mental balance
NIGHT ROUTINE -warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg, or ghee 1 tsp
BREATH AND MIND -Nadi sodhana 10-15 min daily -avoid intense pranayam or meditation initially
IMPORTANT REASSUARANCE -brain cells regenerate connections -withdrawal symptoms do not man permanent injury -healing timeline is months, not days, especially after long use -gentle, consistent care works better than aggressive treatments
You are not damaged Your nervous system is overwhelmed- and it can heal
DO FOLLOW
HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHARYA
Hlo,
No. ➡️ There is no scientific evidence that commonly prescribed psychiatric medicines (SSRIs, SNRIs, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics in therapeutic doses) or rTMS cause permanent loss of brain cells.
2) Long-term withdrawal symptoms do NOT mean brain damage.
They indicate: Dysregulation of Vata dosha (Ayurvedic view) Disturbed GABA–serotonin–melatonin rhythm Overactive stress axis (HPA axis)
Chronic poor sleep causes: Mental fatigue Memory, focus issues Heightened anxiety Emotional sensitivity ❗ But it does NOT kill brain cells permanently.
Take this-
🌿 Morning - Brahmi Ghrita – ½ teaspoon With warm water 👉 Repairs nervous system, improves cognition
🌿 After Breakfast - Ashwagandha Churna – 3 grams With warm milk or water 👉 Reduces cortisol, strengthens brain resilience
🌿 Evening (6–7 pm) - Saraswatarishta – 15 ml With equal water 👉 Improves neurotransmitter balance, anxiety, mental clarity
🌿 Night (30–45 min before sleep) - Tagara (Valeriana wallichii) Churna – 1–2 grams With warm milk 👉 Natural sedative, very effective for withdrawal-related insomnia OR Brahmi Vati (plain, without gold) – 1 tablet
5️⃣ External Therapy (Very Important) 🛢️ Shiroabhyanga (Head oiling) Ksheerabala Taila or Brahmi Taila Massage scalp + soles 5–10 minutes nightly ➡️ This alone can significantly improve sleep over weeks.
6️⃣ Diet & Lifestyle (Critical for Recovery) ❌ Avoid: Caffeine after 2 pm Late-night screen exposure Dry, cold, skipped meals ✔️ Include: Warm cooked food Ghee (1–2 tsp daily) Milk at night Regular sleep timing (even if sleep is poor)
Tq
Usually it doesn’t cause any damage to brain cells but stopping anti psychotic drugs suddenly or abruptly may lead to withdrawal symptoms like no sleep for many years
You can start with
Tab Tagara 0-0-1 Saraswathi aristha 4 -0-4 tsp with water after meals Do pranayama meditation regularly
Hi Gaurav, Thanks for opening up about all this. I know it’s not easy to talk about long-term psychiatric treatment or the anxiety that comes with lingering symptoms, especially sleep problems. I want to be honest and clear with you, and hopefully give you some real reassurance.
Here’s what I understand from your message:
- You took psychiatric meds for anxiety for several years. - You had rTMS treatment. - You never had a severe psychiatric illness, but you stopped the meds and went through tough withdrawal. - You’ve struggled with chronic sleep issues for years. - Your biggest worry: Have the meds or treatments damaged your brain? And has long-term insomnia done harm too?
These are very common fears. You’re definitely not alone in thinking this.
Let’s start with the most important thing: psychiatric meds and rTMS do NOT destroy brain cells. I want to say that again, as clearly as possible—these treatments don’t kill brain cells, don’t shrink your brain, and don’t cause permanent damage to your neurons. Neuroscience and psychiatry have studied this at length. The evidence is solid.
So what actually happens? Here’s the science (and a bit of Ayurveda):
1. Neurochemical Adaptation—Not Damage Psych meds work by shifting brain chemicals like serotonin, GABA, dopamine, and noradrenaline. When you take them for a while, your brain gets used to their presence. When you stop—whether suddenly or gradually—the brain has to readjust. That’s why withdrawal can hit so hard: insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, brain fog, extra sensitivity to stress. This is your brain trying to find balance again. It’s a functional problem, not actual damage.
2. rTMS rTMS is non-invasive. It doesn’t burn or harm brain tissue; it just gently tweaks nerve circuits. Big studies back this up—there’s no loss of neurons, no cognitive damage, no long-term harm.
So why do the symptoms drag on? Here’s the key: some people get long-lasting withdrawal symptoms, especially trouble sleeping. This comes from a hypersensitive nervous system, an overactive stress response, and a disrupted sleep rhythm. Your brain isn’t broken—it’s just running in overdrive, like a car engine revving too high but still in good shape underneath.
What about years of poor sleep? To be straight with you: chronic insomnia doesn’t cause permanent brain cell loss or irreversible brain damage. But it does keep your system stuck in “survival mode.” That can mess with mood, memory, and focus for a while and slow down recovery. Still, the brain is amazingly resilient and can bounce back, even after years.
Ayurveda’s view?
It sees this as Vata Prakopa in Manovaha & Majja Srotas—basically, your nervous system is overstimulated, and the calming side is depleted. It’s a functional drain, not destruction of tissue. That’s why your symptoms feel so intense, but scans and tests usually come back normal.
How do you actually heal?
- The nervous system does recover, but it takes time. You can’t rush it. - Try not to obsess over the idea of brain damage—worrying about it just keeps your stress levels high. - Sleep will return, bit by bit. Even if it’s broken or patchy, your brain hasn’t forgotten how to sleep.
Some things that help (these aren’t prescriptions, just general advice):
- Stick to a regular sleep and wake time, even if sleep’s still rough. - Get some gentle sunlight in the morning. - Don’t stare at the clock at night. - Practice calming breathing to settle Vata. - Avoid stimulating supplements in the evening.
And what to avoid:
- Constantly checking your symptoms. - Getting lost in scary stories online. - Making sudden changes to meds without guidance.
When should you see a doctor again?
If your anxiety gets out of hand, if depression gets worse, or if sleep loss leads to unsafe thoughts—reach out for help. That’s not failure. That’s taking care of yourself.
I’ve seen plenty of people recover their sleep and settle their nervous system, even after years of withdrawal symptoms. What you’re feeling is real. Your struggle is real. But you’re not broken. You’re just healing, even if it’s taking longer than you hoped.
Warm Regards Dr Snehal Vidhate
Also, I had gut issues, probably gastritis as well and other gastric issues as well. All got okay through homeopathy. Have missed on a lot of sleep. Not because I did not sleep but my body didn’t allow me to fall asleep. Also, breathing issues, shallow breaths and gasping for breath and fatigue etc. Hope due to any of this there was no cellular apoptosis of any kind…Also, please let me know if you can help me here. Also, refer to my previous reply in which I have mentioned the ayurvedic treatment I have mentioned. Breath used to stop in between and lot of strain and fatigue.
The glymphatic system doesn’t clear metabolic waste efficiently due to prolonged lack of sleep. Can it clear the tau proteins and the debris once sleep is okay, even chemically induced sleep. Please guide on this.
And I did not have a serious issue. I just took a lot of medicines and homeopathy helped me a lot. Also, what medicines would you suggest? Manasmitra vati of kottakkal/ vaidyaratnam, himalaya mentat, or brahmi grith and what else? I used to used ksheerbala oil and brahmi oil. Can you please suggest something. Memory has been affected badly and also sleep. How to reverse this.
I appreciate your quick and to the point response. I had cervical stiffness for 1.5 years. During lockdown I had this withdrawal and it was bad. I went through a painful period. Hope everything can come back to normal and even the neck that was stiff was 1.5 years continuous or migraines, acidity, gas, etc, brain and body can heal, nerves can heal, ANS can heal and return to previous state. Any breathing exercises that can help? Hope the lymph dysfunction due to continuous neck stiffness won’t harm the brain etc etc. Thanks. I’ll connect again after I progress and heal. Thanks a lot.
Everything will be fine But you have to be calm and consistent
Breathing exercise you can try 1 Bhramari 2Anulom vilom 3 4-6 relaxed breathing
Avoid Kapalbhati Bhastrika Breath holding
Hope i have cleared all your doubt 😊
Yes. Once sleep normalize, the lymphatic system can resume clearing metabolic waste, including tau proteins and debris. This is reversible, especially if the period of poor sleep was months not many years
Thank you so much! Will connect again!
Unfortunately, I am having poor sleep for last 5+ years since 2020. Having medicine induced sleep and sleep for hardly 4-5 hours, at times only 2 hours with medicines etc. hope I heal. Will connect with you soon. Thank you for guiding so well.
Thank you so much for your reply. Also, when I stopped the psych meds, I developed neck stiffness, cervical spasms, headaches that were not going, gas, acidity and weight loss. Does this neck stiffness or cervical issues cause any harm to the brain? is blood flow affected or no? is lymph flow affected or no? I took homeopathy and this went away. And when neck stiffness/ spasms went away, I developed tinnitus in right ear and then in left ear. I used to also get little dizziness. Hope brain was not affected. Also, had lot of body heat that time. Please guide right and show a cure for tinnitus also.
Thanks for your message First, let’s get one thing clear: your brain’s fine. There’s no permanent damage, no lasting blood flow problems, and nothing dangerous going on with your lymph flow. Everything you’re feeling is reversible and, honestly, a lot more common than you think.
👉Neck stiffness or cervical spasms after stopping psychiatric meds — what’s actually happening here?
When you stop these meds, your nervous system goes through withdrawal. That can throw things out of balance. Here’s what tends to pop up: - Sudden spike in Vata and Pitta - Tight, tense muscles in your neck and shoulders - Spasms, headaches - Extra heat in your body, more acidity, maybe some gas - Weight loss and that buzzing anxiety
Doctors call this “withdrawal-induced autonomic imbalance.” It’s uncomfortable, but it’s not brain damage.
👉Does neck stiffness mess with lymph flow? A little, but in a harmless way. Tight neck muscles can slow down surface-level lymph drainage, which might make your head feel heavy or your ears feel full. But once the stiffness goes away, lymph flow bounces back. Since your neck feels better now, your lymph system’s back to normal too.
👉 Why did tinnitus show up after your neck loosened up? This is a known pattern and it isn’t dangerous. In Ayurvedic terms, when Vata symptoms like muscle spasms fade, that Vata energy can shift. In your case, it moved towards your ears — you might notice ringing, some dizziness, or extra sensitivity to sound. This is functional tinnitus, not a sign of any structural damage.
👉 Is tinnitus a sign of brain damage? Absolutely not. If tinnitus really came from brain problems, you’d see it get worse over time, plus you’d notice balance issues, severe vertigo, or hearing loss. Your tinnitus is linked to stress, came on after withdrawal, and improves with calming therapies. That all points to your brain being just fine.
So, why did your body feel so hot? Psych med withdrawal stirs up Pitta in your system, which means more acid, burning sensations, heat intolerance, dryness, and maybe losing a bit of weight. It all fits with a functional imbalance, not a disease.
Can this kind of tinnitus go away? Yes, it can — and it does. You just need to calm the nervous system, balance Vata and Pitta, nourish your ears, and do a little work on the gut-brain axis.
- Your brain’s healthy. - No permanent blood or lymph problems. - These symptoms came from withdrawal, and they’re reversible. - Your tinnitus is functional, not dangerous. - You’re recovering, not getting worse.
this isn’t a serious disease, just an imbalance from medication, and you can bounce back from it. Let’s keep things simple and safe.
BEST MEDICINES FOR YOUR CONDITION (for withdrawal effects, poor sleep, memory struggles, and tinnitus)
1. Manasamitra Vatakam
This one’s your best bet. Look for Kottakkal or Vaidyaratnam brands.
Take 1 tablet at night after food. It helps with sleep, anxiety, ringing in the ears, and gets your nervous system back on track.
Start slow — just half a tablet for the first week. If you’re feeling fine, move up to a full tablet.
2. Brahmi Ghrita
Really good for you. Take half a teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach, with warm water.
This helps memory, focus, brain health, and keeps your sleep cycle steady.
3. Himalaya Mentat
Skip this one for now. It’s too mild and slow for what you need.
TWO SIMPLE EXTRAS
4. Ashwagandha
Take 500 mg at night with warm milk. It’ll help you sleep and rebuild your nervous strength.
5. Nasya (don’t skip this) Use Anu Taila — two drops in each nostril, in the morning, five days a week.
Oils (good job, you’re already on this) Keep using Ksheerbala oil for your body. For your head, go with Brahmi oil 2–3 times a week.
You’ll notice better sleep in 2–3 weeks. Memory and focus should sharpen in 4–6 weeks. Nerves settle down in about 2–3 months.
IMPORTANT NOTES Don’t mix lots of brain tonics at once. Cut out caffeine and avoid screens at night. Stick to a regular bedtime — it really matters.
Here’s your best combo: - Manasamitra Vatakam at night - Brahmi Ghrita in the morning - Ashwagandha at night - Ksheerbala Nasya
You’re going to get better. This is a functional issue, not permanent damage.
You haven’t damaged your brain, and there’s no permanent harm here. No cell death, no lasting injury—just some tough symptoms, but nothing that destroys neurons.
Things like gastritis, insomnia, shallow breathing, that weird gasping feeling, or fatigue—they don’t kill off brain cells. What’s really going on is your Vata and Pitta have spiked, and your nervous system’s just exhausted. This usually happens when you stop psych meds, run on barely any sleep, irritate your gut, or breathe anxiously for a while. Your body basically got stuck in “fight or flight” mode, not in disease mode.
So, about that scary breathing—why it felt like you just couldn’t catch your breath. It’s not because your lungs or brain are damaged. It’s just your Prana Vata acting up. That means irregular breathing, sometimes holding your breath, chest tightness, and feeling tired. This goes away. It’s reversible.
Here’s what helps, and honestly, keep it simple:
1. Brahmi Ghrita: Just half a teaspoon at night with warm milk. It’s great for sleep, memory, and getting your nerves back on track.
2. Manasamitra Vati: One tablet at bedtime, short-term—about 4–6 weeks. For you, this works better than Mentat.
3. Keep using external oils: Ksheerbala oil on your neck, spine, and feet at night. Brahmi oil on your scalp a few times a week.
Don’t load up on new medicines. Less is more.
Lifestyle matters—a lot:
Set a fixed bedtime (definitely before 11 pm). Stick to warm, simple foods. Skip coffee, late-night screens, and fasting. Breathe slow before bed, but don’t push with intense pranayama.
Here’s the real takeaway:
Your brain’s safe. Your nervous system’s healing. The symptoms are annoying but not damaging. Ayurveda—with patience—reverses this fully.
I’m here to help, but the trick is to go slow, keep things minimal, and let your body recover at its own pace.
Antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics: - These drugs act by altering neurotransmitter levels (serotonin, dopamine, GABA). - Long‑term use can cause adaptation and tolerance, leading to withdrawal symptoms when stopped. - Some studies suggest risks like cognitive dulling or metabolic side effects, but no clear evidence of direct brain cell death. - Benzodiazepines, when used for many years, have been linked to higher risk of dementia, but this is about functional changes, not proven cell destruction.
Withdrawal effects: - Severe insomnia, anxiety, and mood swings after stopping are common. - These are due to the brain readjusting its chemical balance, not permanent damage. - Over time, many people recover, though symptoms can persist for months or years in some cases.
⚡ rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) - rTMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions. - FDA‑approved for depression and anxiety. - Evidence shows it is safe, non‑invasive, and does not cause structural brain damage. - No scientific proof of brain cell loss from rTMS.
⚠️ Risks vs. Reality - Functional changes vs. structural damage: Medications and rTMS may change how your brain circuits work, but they don’t “kill” neurons. - Sleep deprivation: Chronic poor sleep can affect memory, mood, and concentration, but again, this is usually reversible with proper treatment. - Mental health conditions themselves (like chronic anxiety or depression) can impact brain function over time, sometimes more than the medications.
Ayurvedic Alternatives 1.Manasmithra vatkam 1 tab twice daily with milk 2.Ashwagandha capsules 2 tab twice daily with warm milk after meals 3.Brahmi Ghrita 1 tsp with warm milk empty stomach in the morning 4.Saraswatarishta 20 ml with 20 ml water twice daily after meals
Warm Regards DR. ANJALI SEHRAWAT
Very low chances there could be any anatomical changes but yes at time there are some neurological setbacks seen.
You need to go through a detailed MRI study to know about the cell condition.
To get rid of the previous little bits
Get into a habit of doing Anulom Vilom and Bhramari Eating clean and healthy No screen time 1 hour before sleeping
💊Medications💊
Tab. Manasmitra Vatak 1 tab twice a day before food Cap. Memorine 2 caps twice a day before food
Bhrami Ghrit 2 tsp in both meals
Syp. Suvarnayukt Saraswatarishta 3 tsp twice a day after food
Syp. Prasham 4 tsp at bed time.
Start with Manasmitra vatikam 1-0-1 after food with water. Brahmi vati 1-0-1 after food with water. Ashwagandha churan 0-0-1tsp at bedtime with warm milk. Tagar tablet 0-0-1 with water after food. Light massage on head with Brahmi oil. Do Nasya with Brahmi grith 2 drops in both nostril once daily. Do pranayam lom -vilom bhastrika bhamri 5-10mins twice daily Learn Rajyoga meditation and practice daily. Have early dinner.
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