American scientists have found that ecstasy heightens the risk of sleep apnea – prolonged breath-holding in one’s sleep having negative consequences for health, PhysOrg reports.

The syndrome of sleep apnea is a widespread disease (about 15 per cent of Americans suffer from it). It can worsen the course of hypertension, coronary disease, and lower mental abilities and heighten the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The scientists from Jones Hopkins University in Baltimore have carried out a study which included 71 people who had taken ecstasy for 25 and more times and 62 people of the control group. During the research all the volunteers were read polysomnocinematography allowing to estimate breath rhythm in sleep.

Light form of sleep apnea met more often in the control group, but moderate and serious forms were observed only in the group of ecstasy consumers – 13 and less than 1 per cent correspondingly.

At the same time the frequency of breath-holding directly depended on the duration of taking the preparation.

According to the researchers, such an effect of ecstasy is connected with metabolic disorder of serotonin neurotransmitter which also takes part in sleep and breath regulating.

Initially ecstasy is regarded as empatogen MDMA, though these homemade tablets contain a number of other psychoactive substances often exceeding the amount of MDMA.

In 2006 Brazilian scientists found out that sildenafil – the active component of Viagra – is able to worsen the course of sleep apnea.