Make Better Decisions with Sleep Apnea Treatment

It’s well documented that sleep deprivation can cause a number of physical and mental issues if left untreated, but did you know that it can actually increase a person’s risk seeking behavior? Risk seeking behavior is defined as any behavior that results in a definitive win or lose situation with the likelihood of instant gratification. This term is often used to refer to things like substance and alcohol abuse, overeating, and gambling. These kinds of problems are especially prominent among those with sleep apnea, but sleep apnea treatment in Jupiter has been shown to not only help a person get the rest they need, but maintain their ability to make rational decisions as well.

The Science

The University of Zurich recently conducted a study intended to demonstrate the relationship between sleep deprivation and risk seeking behavior.

They looked at a group of subjects ages 18-28 that were broken up into two groups. One was made to sleep at least eight hours a night, while the other only got about five. While these sleep patterns were going on, the participants were given a choice twice a day: take a guaranteed amount of money right now, or get a potentially higher amount later that may or may not actually come through. The higher the amount, the less likely the subjects were to get it, essentially making it a gamble.

In the end, the participants who received an adequate amount of sleep took the guaranteed money most of the time, while the sleep deprived ones were much more likely to gamble.

Why This Happened

Researchers believe that a lack of sleep actually affects the prefrontal cortex, which is the rational, decision-making part of our brain. It basically allows us to imagine the future impact of our decisions. What this study revealed is that when the brain is lacking sleep, the prefrontal cortex basically takes a break, allowing a person’s impulses to take over.

How Treatment Can Help

Fortunately, it has also been shown that simply getting enough sleep (whether that involves treating a sleep disorder or not) can effectively lower a person’s tendency for risk seeking behavior. If you just can’t seem to get enough sleep and have trouble controlling your impulses, then sleep apnea could be the underlying cause. You should contact your doctor, and from there, they might advise that you get sleep testing in Jupiter. If it turns out that you do indeed have a sleep disorder, they can help you get the proper treatment.

Risk seeking behavior can ruin a person’s health and much more if left unchecked, and as shown in the study, simply sleeping enough is a big factor in consistently making positive decisions. If you or a loved one frequently engages in risk seeking behavior, taking a closer look at sleep could be the key to figuring out the problem.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a certified sleep dentist with over three decades of experience serving Jupiter. At his practice, he helps people overcome sleep apnea with the use of custom-made oral appliances. He has seen firsthand just how transformative getting enough sleep can be for a person. If you believe that you or a loved one could be suffering from sleep apnea, he’s ready to provide the necessary care. To contact him for more information, click here.