But clinically, sleep apnea is more complex (and easier to miss) than most of us realize. Here’s what’s actually going on — physically, emotionally, and cognitively — when sleep apnea flies under the radar. What Physically Happens During A Sleep Apnea EpisodeIf you share a bed with a partner, this is usually the part where they chime in. “Some people with sleep apnea don’t snore at all.”So what’s actually happening when someone has true sleep apnea? What Sleep Apnea Does to Your BrainFor many people, sleep apnea affects more than sleep itself.