Statins are among the most widely prescribed medications in the world, hailed for their ability to reduce cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular events. However, a growing body of evidence raises concerns about the potential cognitive side effects of statin use, including memory loss, confusion, anxiety, depression, and even dementia.
While the cardiovascular benefits of statins are well-documented, the possible trade-offs on brain health merit close examination. As I wrote in my book Drug Muggers (still available on Amazon), these drugs can rob your body of vital nutrients, setting off a cascade of problems you might never link back to your prescription.
I’ve been harping on the drug nutrient depletion effect since 1999—long before it was a popular topic, and I truly believe I was among the first to bring this conversation into the public eye. If you’ve never heard of drug-induced nutrient depletion before, you’re not alone and that’s a big problem.
If you don’t know what to look for, you could easily get diagnosed with a brand-new disease that’s actually just a side effect of a nutrient-depleting medication. You’re probably healthier than you think you are, you might just be running low on a few key nutrients. Think of it because restoring nutrients might improve your prognosis and if nothing else, reduce side effects. Knowing about drug muggers is your ‘side effect solution!’
“Normal” Cholesterol Levels Keep Getting Lower
Did you know that the definition of “normal” cholesterol has quietly changed over the years? Levels that were considered just fine in the 1990s are now deemed too high, prompting more and more people to be labeled as “at risk” and put on statins. It’s a moving target—and it seems to always move in a direction that benefits pharmaceutical sales.
It’s important to ask: Are you being medicated for a number, or for an actual risk? Because if you’re healthy, active, and eating well, a borderline cholesterol level may not be something that needs medication at all. As I often tell my readers, you’re healthier than you think.
Statins Aren’t the Only Option
Here’s the truth: You do have options. Statins are not your only path to a healthy heart. You can absolutely reduce cholesterol through dietary choices, stress reduction, exercise, and targeted supplements. It might not be easy, but it’s definitely possible.
If you’re serious about avoiding statins, start by reducing carbs and putting down the potato chips. (I say that with love!) Ultra-processed foods are loaded with trans fats, seed oils, and refined sugars that send cholesterol and inflammation through the roof. But when you give your body real food like leafy greens, healthy fats, and good protein. it often responds with better labs and a lighter mood.
Don’t let anyone tell you there’s no alternative. Your kitchen has been a healing space for centuries – long before the FDA ever existed. Sometimes, all it takes is a better grocery list and some honest information. The truth is, most people can manage their cholesterol naturally through diet, movement, and sticking to truly normal cholesterol ranges… not the ever-lowering targets that just happen to benefit pharmaceutical companies.
The Biochemical Fallout: How Statins Deplete Key Nutrients
Statins work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, a liver enzyme critical in the production of cholesterol. But this same biochemical pathway also contributes to the synthesis of other essential compounds, including Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), vitamin D, and selenoproteins. This unintended consequence of nutrient depletion could explain many of the neuropsychiatric side effects attributed to statin therapy. In other words, these medications are classic “drug muggers”—they steal nutrients your brain and body need to function well.
1. Coenzyme Q10: Fuel for the Brain
CoQ10 is a mitochondrial cofactor that plays a pivotal role in cellular energy production. Brain cells are especially reliant on mitochondria for energy. Statins can significantly lower CoQ10 levels, leading to impaired mitochondrial function. This may contribute to fatigue, muscle weakness, and crucially, cognitive fog and memory issues. Some studies suggest that reduced CoQ10 levels are correlated with increased oxidative stress in neurons, which may accelerate neurodegenerative processes. If you’ve ever felt like your mental light switch just dimmed after starting statins, CoQ10 depletion might be to blame.
2. Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin with Neuroactive Properties
Vitamin D is involved in over 200 genes, many of which impact the brain and mood regulation. Statins may reduce the conversion of vitamin D precursors to active vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D are strongly associated with depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and impaired cognitive performance. A deficiency can hinder neurotransmitter synthesis and increase inflammation—two known contributors to depression and cognitive decline. If you notice a dip in mood or energy, especially in winter months, it could be more than the weather—your statin might be lowering your vitamin D.
3. Selenium and Selenoproteins: Hidden Drivers of Thyroid and Brain Function
Selenium is an essential trace mineral required for the synthesis of selenoproteins, which include antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase and thyroid-regulating proteins. By inhibiting selenoprotein synthesis, statins may inadvertently impair thyroid function, potentially leading to hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is well-known to cause fatigue, brain fog, depression, and even memory impairment. This disruption of the thyroid-brain axis may be a key mechanism through which statins negatively affect mental health. This is often overlooked, but if you’re feeling sluggish or blue, it might not be “just life”—your thyroid could be waving a white flag.
Hypothyroidism: The Silent Link
Subclinical hypothyroidism often goes undiagnosed but can significantly impact mood, energy, and cognition. With reduced selenoprotein activity, statin users may be at increased risk for thyroid dysfunction. Symptoms of hypothyroidism—depressed mood, cognitive slowing, forgetfulness—often mimic or overlap with early dementia, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Moreover, the thyroid hormone T3 has direct effects on serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters critical to emotional stability. A deficiency in T3 can contribute to increased anxiety and depression, providing another pathway by which statins may affect mental health. As I often say to my readers, when your thyroid is struggling, your whole life can feel heavier.
B Vitamins and Neuroprotection
While not always directly depleted by statins, some studies suggest long-term statin use may interfere with absorption or increase demand for certain B vitamins, particularly B12, B6, and folate. Some B vitamins are made thanks to your gut microbiome, so when probiotic status becomes deficient, you run low on B12 for example, and remember Bs are a family, they all work in concert with one another.
The B vitamins are essential for methylation, homocysteine regulation, and myelin maintenance. A deficiency in B vitamins is 100% linked to certain types of cognitive dysfunction especially confusion and memory loss… and may exacerbate the cognitive side effects of statin use. I always tell my readers: if your memory is fading and your nerves feel frayed, don’t overlook your B’s, they’re brain essentials. Look in your medicine cabinet too, because most likely you’re taking a drug mugger of B vitamins. For that matter, are you consuming alcohol? If so, you’re definitely deficient in one or more (or all) the B vitamins! Alcohol in any form will deplete vitamin C and B vitamins.
The Gut-Brain Axis: Microbiome Disruption
Emerging research also implicates statins in altering the gut microbiota. Disruption of beneficial gut bacteria can lead to increased intestinal permeability (what most people call a “leaky gut”), systemic inflammation, and reduced neurotransmitter production, further exacerbating cognitive and emotional symptoms. If your serotonin and dopamine are low, you can’t think straight, and you feel bad mentally. This is a big deal that is never talked about. Statins have the ability to make you depressed, no ifs ands or buts. I’ve been sharing this little secret for decades.
Probiotics and prebiotics may help mitigate this damage, restoring gut flora and improving outcomes related to mood and cognition. This is an area of active research but represents a promising adjunctive strategy for statin users. Trust your gut, it really does talk to your brain, and nurturing it can help protect your mood and memory.
Clinical and Practical Implications
Patients taking statins who experience cognitive symptoms should not be dismissed. Healthcare providers should consider checking nutrient levels especially CoQ10, vitamin D, selenium, thyroid hormones, and B vitamins. Supplementation and dietary strategies may help restore balance and reduce side effects. In Drug Muggers, I go over dozens of ways common medications can steal your health—and what to do about it.
If cognitive decline, depression, or anxiety emerges during statin therapy, it’s crucial to evaluate whether the drug may be contributing. Personalized medicine—considering genetic predisposition, nutrient status, and overall health—is key to maximizing benefit while minimizing harm. It’s not about fear-mongering—it’s about being informed and empowered.
Should You Stop Taking a Statin Cold Turkey?
If you’re considering stopping your statin medication, don’t just stop it abruptly without talking to your doctor. While statins don’t technically require a taper like some psychiatric drugs or steroids, suddenly stopping them can increase your cholesterol levels quickly and potentially raise your risk for heart events—especially if you’ve had a previous cardiac issue. That said, many people are put on these drugs without fully understanding their options, or how to support their body if they stay on them.
You deserve to be part of that decision. If you’re feeling awful on a statin—tired, foggy, moody—it’s not just “in your head.” These drugs are drug muggers. They mug you of nutrients and vitality. If you decide to stop, work with your healthcare provider to evaluate your overall cardiovascular risk, make lifestyle changes, and support your nutrient levels as you transition off. Your health, your choice—but do it smartly.
Summary
Statins remain a valuable tool in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, but their systemic effects—especially on nutrient metabolism and brain function—warrant careful attention. The links between statins, hypothyroidism, nutrient deficiencies, and cognitive decline present a complex but increasingly undeniable picture.
By integrating nutritional support and careful monitoring, it’s possible to preserve both heart and brain health. Awareness and early intervention can make the difference between aging with vitality and slipping into preventable cognitive decline. And remember, just because a side effect is common doesn’t mean it’s normal—listen to your body, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s how healing starts.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
