Zombies, Liver Toxicity, and Leaky Gut: Why Painkillers Should Have New Warning Labels

Written By Dr. Lauren R. Favreau

By Dr. Lauren Dyer

(DAC, LAC, DIPL. AC - NCCAOM)

“Just take a Tylenol.”

You hear it in commercials, in conversation with co-workers, family, and friends—maybe you were told this since childhood so now you don’t even question it. But should you? Why be in pain if you don’t have to? Isn’t it harmless?

The short answer is no. Tylenol, Advil, and other common pain killers are not as benign as we have been culturally indoctrinated to believe. Just because they are available over-the-counter does not make them safe or safer than prescription opioids. Recent studies show that even the suggested dose can cause harm to our bodies and negatively affect our mental + emotional health.

Before we get into that, here are some things to keep in mind...

The main ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen. It is the most common drug compound in the United States, found in over 600 medicines. It is estimated that 23% of the population (about 52 million American adults) takes a medicine containing acetaminophen a week.

If it’s so popular, what’s the big deal, right?

For starters, acetominophen is the #1 cause of acute liver failure in America, with a little over 110,000 injuries and deaths linked to Tylenol (and its generic versions) annually. By impairing the liver’s ability to detoxify chemicals ingested, even the “safe” suggested dose poses a risk.

Tylenol’s toxicity is linked to depleting glutathione, an essential antioxidant responsible for managing free radicals and inflammation in the body. Given how vital glutathione is for brain health, it’s no wonder that ingesting Tylenol blunts our emotions—limiting our ability to feel pleasure or pain just one hour after use. This observation was so startling that researchers called it a “zombification” effect.

That’s right.
Zombies.
Tylenol figuratively turns us into the undead by diminishing our sentience.

A 2015 study from Ohio State University had half of its participants take 1,000mg of Tylenol while the rest took a placebo. After one hour each group was shown pleasant and disturbing photos. In both scenarios, those who took Tylenol had lower sensitivity and emotion ratings compared to those who took a placebo.

For reference, 1,000mg is two Extra-Strength Tylenol pills, with the “safe” upper limit being 3,000mg. So the fact that a “normal” dose can exert that much of a physiological and psychological change is pretty alarming, if not totally disturbing.

The implications for how such a seemingly harmless drug contributes to “psychiatric-like” side effects such as depression, irritability, and apathy should not be ignored.

What About Anti-Inflammatory Drugs?

Unfortunately, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) like Motrin, Aleve, Advil, or Ibuprofen are not innocent either. In order to reduce aches and fevers, this class of drugs works by reducing the number of prostaglandins in the body—molecules that protect our gut lining, support inflammation needed for healing, and blood clotting. The result from habitual use? Increased gut permeability (aka “leaky gut” which sets-off an auto-immune response linked to chronic illness & psychiatric-like symptoms) ulcers, and intestinal bleeding.

Not everyone who takes NSAIDS will get side effects, but the odds are not in our favor. A 2005 study by Gastroenterologist Dr. David Graham used a small endoscopic camera to compare structural intestinal changes between NSAID users vs. non-users. He found that 71% of NSAID users had damage in the small intestine lining compared to 10% of non-users. The interesting but insidious fact was that nobody in the study reported GI symptoms, even though the damage was already done. For women it’s worth noting that NSAIDS interfere with hormone balance and fertility. Studies show they can inhibit ovulation and lower progesterone levels after just 10 days of use.

Now What?

On a personal and collective level, it’s time to re-consider our reflex to reach for Tylenol and other OTC pain-killers at the first sign of discomfort.

Instead of viewing our symptoms as inconveniences that need to be silenced, endured, or defeated, what if we appreciated them for how intelligent they are—that they communicate with us when something isn’t right. Slowing down and tuning inwards to listen to why they are appearing in the first place is the first step to healing them.

Understandably, you need to work, provide, and pain is incredibly inconvenient.

But is it worth the liver toxicity, numbing our humanity, while leaving us with an increased risk for chronic illnesses because the integrity of our intestinal lining has been compromised? Let’s not forget, once the drugs wear off, the pain inevitably returns.
What would you rather do?

A Better Way…

If you want pain relief that is safe, natural, and evidence-based, you can consider:

TUMERIC

For centuries tumeric has been known as a medicinal herb in Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda for its anti-inflammatory properties. I suggest patients add it to their cooking or supplement with it regularly for preventative measure.

CURCUMIN

Curcumin is tumeric extract, as its the active ingredient that rivals NSAIDS at decreasing inflammation. Studies show it can be used for general pain, osteoarthritis, menstrual cramping, post-operative pain and more.

Be sure to talk with your healthcare providers before taking any supplements.

ACUPUNCTURE

By mobilizing the body’s healing response, promoting the release of endorphins and endogenous opiates (your body’s own pain-killers), and regulating your brain’s stress response, Acupuncture works on both the body and mind to creates a solid foundation for sustainable relief.

Through our integrative and holistic approach, we can identify and treat the root causes to your pain—allowing for a complete healing process with lasting relief rather than masking it.

Learn more about Acupuncture for chronic pain, mental health, and related conditions in this overview of scientific research here.

So next time someone says “just take a Tylenol,” weigh its effects, do your own research, and talk to your healthcare provider so you can make the most informed decision for your well-being.

Dr. Lauren R. Favreau
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