General Anesthesia: Cautionary Note

A little-known fact about colonoscopies (and, more broadly, general anesthesia): up to 40% of people aged 60+ (and presumably a still-significant percentage of those younger) have lasting and sometimes permanent brain changes as a result.

After my last colonoscopy in April, I discovered that I could no longer taste most things. Fortunately, that has gradually improved, but even 8 months later is not fully back to normal.

I am hopeful that hydergine and some plant medicines will help. Time will tell!

I'll be substituting local anesthesia for general whenever practicable in future, and look forward to emergent brain stimulation technologies which show promise of replacing it.