![\"Acid](\"http:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/AcidReflex_157231294_m-2015.jpg\")
Acid reflux (GERD) is often written off as a minor condition (although it\u2019s actually very serious). And the drugs used to manage it have been considered quite safe.<\/p>\nAcid reflux (GERD) is often written off as a minor condition (although it\u2019s actually very serious). And the drugs used to manage it have been considered quite safe.<\/p>\n
But a new study published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics<\/em> reveals potentially deadly side effects with one of the most commonly used heartburn medications.<\/p>\n You must stop or reduce this drug right now if you\u2019re taking it.<\/p>\n Proton pump inhibitors (hereafter PPIs) are among the most commonly taken drugs in the developed world, often to reduce acid reflux.<\/p>\n Researchers examined the medical data of 2,366 people who took PPIs and developed depression, and compared them with 9,464 people who took PPIs without developing depression.<\/p>\n The two groups were similar with regard to age, gender, and the amount of time for which the scientists observed them.<\/p>\n It turned out that those who developed depression used a higher dose of daily PPIs than those without depression.<\/p>\n This was especially true for people who took pantoprazole, lansoprazole, and rabeprazole, and less so for those who took omeprazole and esomeprazole.<\/p>\n And depression is not a small deal. The fatality rate of major depression is extremely high.<\/p>\n The researchers didn’t know exactly why this happened, but ventured two educated guesses.<\/p>\n 1. They thought it was possible that PPIs prevented people’s bodies from absorbing all the nutrients from their food, leaving them without the necessary nutrients for healthy psychological function.<\/p>\n 2. Alternatively, PPIs could disrupt the gut-brain axis, a term that refers to the way in which gut bacteria affects our psychological well-being. Since gut bacteria can boost or block levels of hormones and neurotransmitters in our brains, they can determine our psychological health.<\/p>\n