A team of Argentinian scientists has reportedly found that the drug Viagra – used to treat erectile dysfunction, angina and high blood pressure – could be good for reducing the effects of jet lag after a long, hard flight.
Apparently, hamsters recover up to 50% faster from forward shifts in their daily time cycles after a stiff dose of the drug – but only if used in conjunction with light therapy and only in one time direction, the equivalent of flying eastbound. So next time you’re returning to Europe on your super-glitzy business jet, you know what to do!
The researchers, from the National University of Quilmes, shifted the light-dark cycle of hamsters 6h forwards, by switching on lights 6h earlier than usual.
They then monitored the hamsters' running wheel activity to assess when their body clocks had adjusted to the new time cycle – the hamsters are active in the day but stop running when the lights go out.
Injection of Viagra before the time shift meant the hamsters adjusted to the new time cycle faster, even when low doses of the drug, which did not cause penile erections, were used.
When used without the shifts in light, the drug did not induce changes in the hamsters' activity, so it seems to work by enhancing the light-induced response.
Scientists raised the possibility of using Viagra in conjunction with this light treatment, but added: "We will have to wait for more research to know whether this will work in humans."
Pfizer, the maker of Viagra, said the drug should only be used in accordance with the approved labelling.
Source: Flight Daily News
