Gabapentin is one of those medications many people are given for pain, nerve problems, shingles pain, restless legs, seizures, or chronic back issues.
And for some people, it can be genuinely helpful.
But in recent years, more patients have started asking an important question:
Could gabapentin affect the brain, memory, or long-term cognitive health?
Ezoic
This question became louder after research linked gabapentin prescriptions with higher rates of mild cognitive impairment and dementia diagnosis in certain groups, especially people using it repeatedly for chronic low back pain. A 2025 medical-records study reported that adults with chronic low back pain who received six or more gabapentin prescriptions had higher dementia and mild cognitive impairment risks over 10 years, although the study showed association, not proof of causation.
So let’s be clear from the beginning:
