Ecstasy Use Increases Risk of Sleep Apnea

 In a new study by John Hopkins scientists, frequent users of ecstasy, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), have an increased risk of developing sleep apnea.  These finding is based upon a controlled study of otherwise healthy young adults that do not have any other risk factors for the sleep disorder.

What is Ecstasy?

Ecstasy is an illegal, amphetamine-style “club drug” that puts users in a euphoric, mood-elevated state, typically used in all-night raves or dance clubs all around the world.  Users use the drug because they claim it enhances empathy, diminishes anxiety, makes them feel closer to others, and heightens sensations.  Ecstasy is dangerous every time it is used, and carries with every use the risk of ecstasy overdose.

Known Health Risks from Using Ecstasy

Ecstasy has been known to be linked to some neurological problems.  Some examples of these include

• cognitive deficits
  
• impulsive behavior
• altered brain wave patterns during sleep. 
  

The cause of these ill effects is ecstasy’s toxic effects on neurons that produce serotonin.  Past studies on animals have shown that use of the drug shortens the ends of these nerve cells and compromise normal connections between neurons.  These cells regulate multiple aspects of sleep.

In the short-term, dangers of ecstasy usage include dehydration and risk of heatstroke.  Some users report depression while “coming down” from the drug.

The Study

The sleep study was conducted by a team led by Una D. McCann, M.D., who is a professor at the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.  It involved 71 sleep study volunteers found in newspapers and fliers who were all regular ecstasy users. The 71 volunteers consisted of:

•    users that also used other recreational drugs

•    users that had taken ecstasy at least 25 times (25 is the number of times shown to have long-term effects on serotonin neurons)

The study also involved 62 participants that have never taken ecstasy before, but did abuse other illicit drugs.  Drug use aside, every single volunteer was physically and mentally healthy.  They did not use any drugs for at least two weeks before the study began.

The study evaluated breathing patterns during sleep by having the participants spend a few nights at the research center.  They all slept from 11pm to 7am and were attached to various devices that measured breathing.  The researchers looked for instances of mild apnea, moderate apnea, and severe apnea.

According to results published in the medical journal Neurology, the following results were recorded:

•    The two groups showed similar results in their rates of mild apnea with 15 ecstasy users and 13 non-ecstasy users

•    Among those showing symptoms of moderate apnea, 8 were from the ecstasy user group and none were from the other group

•    1 participant from the ecstasy user group had the severe form of sleep apnea while none in the other group did.

The risk factors of developing sleep apnea are known to include older age, obesity, and assorted other medical conditions.  The participants of the study did not carry any of these factors.  22 of the 24 of those who were shown in the study to have sleep apnea were 31 years of age or younger and did not have serious health issues.  What this demonstrates is that the more you use ecstasy, the greater your chance of developing a more severe form of apnea. 

Apnea can lead to other health problems.  This includes an increased risk of diabetes, decline in cognitive function, and increased risk of death due to heart disease. 

Sunrise Recovery and it's parent facility Sober Living by the Sea has been helping young people (and people of all ages) recover their lives from the damage that drugs like ecstasy have wrought.  Please contact us at 866-540-5242 to have all of your questions answered.