Interesting that the study characterizes Norepinephrine only in terms of the airways in the excerpt you posted. The first paragraph under Norphinephrine in wikipedia talks about it being a alertness and fight-or-flight neurotransmitter also increases heart rate and blood pressure. This seems like a terrible idea for sleep!
Per wiki:
“The general function of norepinephrine is to mobilize the brain and body for action. Norepinephrine release is lowest during sleep, rises during wakefulness, and reaches much higher levels during situations of stress or danger, in the so-called fight-or-flight response. In the brain, norepinephrine increases arousal and alertness, promotes vigilance, enhances formation and retrieval of memory, and focuses attention; it also increases restlessness and anxiety. In the rest of the body, norepinephrine increases heart rate and blood pressure, triggers the release of glucose from energy stores, increases blood flow to skeletal muscle, reduces blood flow to the gastrointestinal system, and inhibits voiding of the bladder and gastrointestinal motility.”
Yeah, I wondered about that.
One of the drugs offered for sleep apnea is Modafinil, which I am mainly familiar with from the military, but I’ve also been prescribed it. Makes you “awake” but not like amphetamines. (You don’t get “high”.)
Doc gave it to me to deal with sleep apnea daytime sleepiness on a “occasional” use basis — after a bad night. Using it too often leads to being “strung out”.
I’d always get a great night sleep that night.
Well, I just looked. It inhibits norepinephrine reuptake.