Circadian Fix: Viagra may lessen effects of jet lag
By Nathan Seppa
The leading drug prescribed for male impotence can counteract the lethargy caused by a disruption in the sleep cycle, a study in rodents suggests. Sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, helps hamsters rebound from a 6-hour clock change such as a long eastbound plane flight produces.
To mimic conditions that can lead to jet lag, scientists habituated hamsters to a daily routine of 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness. The researchers then abruptly switched on the lights 6 hours early and continued the same light-to-dark routine from that point onward, simulating the effects of a flight from Chicago to London.