Ecstasy Users are at Higher Risk of Sleep Apnea

On any given night in Los Angeles throughout the club scene people are using various illicit drugs. Drugs, known as "club drugs," include MDMA/Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), Rohypnol (flunitrazepam), GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), and ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride). There are several other designer drugs out there as well, 5-MeO-MiPT or Foxy Methoxy is one of them, what makes these drugs so dangerous is that they are very difficult to dose. Perhaps the most popular of these drugs, MDMA(3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or Ecstasy); characteristically found in the night club and rave scenes, is a psychoactive amphetamine that has been known to do severe damage to the brain. Scientists who have been researching the effects of Ecstasy have discovered that Ecstasy users are at higher risk of sleep apnea. US News reports, "People who use ecstasy need to know that this drug damages the brain and can cause immediate and dangerous problems such as sleep apnea", study author Dr. Una McCann, of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, said in a news release".

How long a person used Ecstasy directly affected how severe their sleep apnea is, according to the study. The study comprised of 71 ecstasy users (or had used) and 62 people, normal non-users. What was determined was the people who had used Ecstasy had an eight-fold increased risk of sleep apnea. Obviously, non-users do experience apnea, at least mildly; mild sleep apnea rates were similar in both groups, 27 % of non-users experienced mild sleep apnea. However, the study showed that 13% of ecstasy users experienced moderate apnea and 1% showed severe sleep apnea. "They also found that ecstasy use was a greater risk factor for sleep apnea than obesity", according to US News.

What is clear is that MDMA or Ecstasy does damage to the brain that may not be reversible. MDMA is not widely understood by scientists, let alone your typical addict; everyday we are seeing what these drugs do to the brain and it is not a pretty sight. "Our findings may be explained by how ecstasy damages neurons related to serotonin, a chemical in the brain that is involved in sleep regulation and breathing, among other important functions", McCann said. "Sleep apnea in itself is dangerous, but it can 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 during the daytime". People going out at night for a good time are doing damage to their brain that cannot be repaired.

Adderall Abuse Epidemic In America

The academic world is facing an enemy far greater then anyone could of thought. The abuse of prescription medicine to deal wilth the stresses of life has become a rampant problem with no real solution in sight. Drugs like Adderall, Ritilan, and Dexedrine have become coping mechanisms for a number of reasons throughout the collegial atmosphere and in many cases have become not only socially acceptable, it's almost expected. It is almost hard to believe that 14 million prescriptions of Adderall were filled last year; it is no wonder the drug can be found on every college campus. Adderall abuse went relatively undetected for a long time because it is a prescribed medicine. However, like any prescription medication it can be sold or traded amongst peers and it is on a regular basis. There is no question that there is an Adderall abuse epidemic in America.

"At Cornell, a 2006 Gannett study found that at least six percent of the student body had used the drugs in the past year - though the impression of many students is that the actual percentage is much higher", according to the Cornell Sun. Many people do not talk about taking the drug because of the legal ramifications; many people also view amphetamine use as a way of cheating. Amphetamines give people a heightened sensitivity and greater concentration. Adderall is an amphetamine that increases the amount of dopamine released in the brain increasing the number of neurotransmitters available which increases concentration and alertness. When people take more than the prescribed amount the drug becomes tantamount to Crystal Methamphetamine; abuse can have a damaging effect on the brain resulting in permanent damage.

Sadly, Adderall abuse continues after college as people find that they have become dependent upon it to get their work done. Over time, one has to take more of the drug to get the desired effect because of higher tolerance levels. Amphetamine addiction is a real problem among young adults and many times treatment is the only solution. The vast majority of people who use prescription psychostimulants have very little idea about the serious side effects that can accompany the drug; prescription drugs have become such commonplace and are inside just about every medicine cabinet, this has given many students the idea that there is nothing wrong with their use.

I encourage you to watch this video of a CNN Interview with Dr. Drew Pinsky about this problem.