Why Does Sleep Apnea Appear in People Who Abuse Ecstasy?

Recreational users of the drug ecstasy may be putting themselves at risk of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea afflicts millions of Americans and is a common disorder that pauses breathing during sleep. It is important to understand why sleep apnea appears in people who abuse ecstasy and how people can get help for sleep disorders.

Ecstasy and Sleep Apnea

Recreational users of ecstasy can have up to eight times the risk of apnea or hypopnea episodes while asleep compared with those who did not use the drug.  The more a person uses ecstasy, the higher the rate of sleep apnea. Obesity is a known risk factor for sleep apnea and the risk of apnea is higher for ecstasy users than those who were obese. Sleep apnea is dangerous in and of itself and may also contribute to thinking problems in people who use ecstasy because chronic sleep disruption is known to have a negative effect on how a person functions everyday.

Ecstasy Affects Brain Chemicals

Ecstasy is a selective brain serotonin neurotoxin. Sleep apnea may be a consequence of this effect. Brain serotonin neurons modulate sleep and breathing patterns through a variety of mechanisms. Serotonin, a chemical that helps relay signals from one cell to another, is involved in a variety of psychological and other functions in the body. It may be a risk factor for sleep apnea regardless of demographics like age, gender, or weight (since people who struggle with obesity tend to wrestle with sleep apnea).

Moving Ahead

Ecstasy use and sleep apnea have reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and scientists and physicians have expressed concern about this. Doctors are trying to warn people about the risks of using Ecstasy on their brain’s because of the damage it may cause, along with sleep apnea. There are many risk factors in abusing any prescription or other types of drugs over time. Young people, especially, are susceptible as their brains are still growing. The challenge is to alert people to the true risks and provide opportunities to find ways of getting help from addiction or dependence to various substances. Some people even combine drugs, like Ecstasy and alcohol, which can have serious risks, including death. There are many places that provide a way to detox and recover from addiction.

We are here to support your journey from addiction to hope. Our program provides detox and recovery services tailored to meet your individual needs and help celebrate recovery one step at a time. If you are ready to quit using drugs and alcohol, give us a call. Call us 24/7 at our toll-free number: 866-294-9401

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From https://serenityrecoverycenter.blogspot.com/2018/12/why-does-sleep-apnea-appear-in-people.html

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