Viagra to Help Jet-Lagged Travelers Heading East?

Scientists from Argentina have suggested that Viagra could possibly be used to help those flying eastwards recover from jet-lag. They found that the drug helped hamsters recover up to 50% faster from forward shifts in their daily time cycles.

But, the drug only worked while used in conjuction with light therapy, and it only worked in one time direction, which is the equivalent of flying eastbound.

The testing has only so far been done in hamsters, but Professor Robert Lucas belives that the new research raised the possibility of using Viagra in conjunction with light treatment to help ease the effects of jet-lag. However, he noted that "We will have to wait for more research to know whether this will work in humans."

Pfizer, the makers of the drug Viagra, have not yet commented on this study, other than saying that the drug should only be used in accordance with the approved labeling.