Jetlagged hamsters on Viagra
The male impotence drug Viagra may be useful in treating jetlag (but only if you're heading east) and may also help ease problems associated with shift work. In studies by Universidad Nacional de Quilmes in Buenos Aires, hamsters given low doses of sildenafil (sold as Viagra) recovered from disruptions to their circadian rhythms as much as 50 per cent faster than those who weren't. Team leader Diego Golombek says sildenafil works at least as well as the natural jetlag treatment melatonin. Among other things, Viagra interferes with a molecule involved in the brain's body clock mechanism, healthday.com reports. However, it can cause side effects such as low blood pressure.