Long-term use of benzodiazepines causes cognitive impairment and dependence
Is it true that long-term use of benzodiazepines causes cognitive impairment and dependence?
Yes. Multiple clinical studies and reviews consistently support the conclusion that prolonged or long-term use of benzodiazepines leads to both cognitive impairment and physical or psychological dependence.
Verdict: SUPPORTED · 8 sources for, 0 against · Last checked
The retrieved papers overwhelmingly support the claim that long-term benzodiazepine use causes cognitive impairment and dependence. Studies ranging from older foundational research to recent 2026 literature consistently identify dependency and cognitive decline as major risks associated with chronic benzodiazepine administration. No papers contradict this relationship.
Get citation
Brett, J. & Murnion, B. (2015). Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.18773/AUSTPRESCR.2015.055
See more details
Get citation
Golombok, S., Moodley, P., & Lader, M. (1988). Cognitive impairment in long-term benzodiazepine users. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291700007911
Get citation
Cabaj, J., Bargieł, J., & Soroka, E. (2023). Benzodiazepines and z-drugs - between treatment effectiveness and the risk of addiction. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.12775/jehs.2023.46.01.032
Get citation
JW, F., CA, L., V, S., M, E., A, T., & A, E. (2026). Benzodiazepines at the crossroads: navigating therapeutic promise and perils of misuse.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-025-00627-0
Get citation
Durante, J. C., Dantas, A. A. G., Inouye, F. C., Varallo, F., Pereira, L. R. L., Miasso, A. I., Almeida, M. S. d., & Zanetti, M. O. B. (2025). Prolonged use of benzodiazepine in primary health care: evaluation of effectiveness, dependence and cognitive function.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1080/14740338.2025.2567587
Get citation
N, A., Y, M., T, K., C, N., M, K., K, M., N, O., R, K., & J, N. (2026). Long-term effects of introducing novel hypnotics to users of benzodiazepine receptor agonist hypnotics.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2026.109148
Get citation
C, L., L, Z., Q, P., Y, S., W, Y., G, L., & H, L. (2026). Long-term benzodiazepine use is associated with poorer cognitive function in schizophrenia: Findings from the SALT-C cohort. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8797752/v1
Get citation
J, S., N, T., & M, B. (2026). Rational Use of Benzodiazepines in Modern Healthcare: Evidence-Based Strategies.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14101392
- Is it true that the stress response from neonatal circumcision causes long-term cognitive impairment? REFUTED
- Is it true that Benzodiazepine use causes memory impairment, including anterograde amnesia? SUPPORTED
- Is it true that long-term use of alprazolam causes cognitive and physiological side effects? SUPPORTED
- Is it true that long-term caffeine use affects human memory? SUPPORTED
- Is it true that long-term marijuana use causes lasting psychological and physical effects? SUPPORTED
- Is it true that long-term antidepressant use can reduce memory and emotional responsiveness? SUPPORTED
What does the evidence say?
The retrieved papers overwhelmingly support the claim that long-term benzodiazepine use causes cognitive impairment and dependence. Studies ranging from older foundational research to recent 2026 literature consistently identify dependency and cognitive decline as major risks associated with chronic benzodiazepine administration. No papers contradict this relationship.
Receipt History
Challenge the receipt
Citation formatting by citeproc-js (Frank Bennett) and the Citation Style Language project. Source and licenses.
Terms · Privacy · How verdicts work