A recent study conducted by a team of Argentine scientists from the National University of Quilmes discovered that Viagra pills could help people to recover from jetlag. The researchers found that the drug helped hamsters to recover up to 50% faster from forward shifts in their daily time cycles, but only when utilized in conjunction with light therapy. Additionally, they found the Viagra remedy only worked in one time direction- the equivalent of flying eastbound.
The Study
Mammals rely on the light-dark cycle to regulate the body’s biological clock. This way, the body knows that daytime, when it is light, is for activity, and night is for rest. When traveling to different time zones, the body becomes confused, which leads to extreme tiredness and other physical effects.
To simulate the change in time zones, the researchers shifted the light-dark cycle of the hamsters forward six hours by turning on the lights six hours earlier than usual. They then monitored the hamsters running wheel activity to assess whether their bodies had adjusted to the new time cycle.
Researchers found that injections of Viagra before the time shift helped the hamsters adjust to the new time cycle faster. But it was discovered that the drug only worked when encountering shifts in light. When the hamsters were injected with Viagra and kept in the dark, the drug did not induce any changes in the hamsters’ activity.
The Conclusion
Researchers concluded that the reason Viagra erection medication helped during time change was because of a molecule known as cGMP, which is known to have a role in setting the body’s time clock. The molecule is present in higher levels during the day, which is why Viagra was more effective helping the body adjust during the light. The Viagra blocks an enzyme which breaks down cGMP, allowing higher levels to build up.
Evan Hopkins is a 24 year old writer operating out of Atlanta, GA. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading books, drinking coffee, and folk music.