Take Viagra For Jet Lag

Let’s say you’re heading on the trip of a lifetime, you and your honey are flying from the U.S. to Paris, home of love and everything romantic. I can hear the violins now. You’ve got the honeymoon suite. You’ve got all the good restaurants mapped. You’re ready for the champagne and strawberries, the rides through the countryside, walks along the Seine, the wine and, let’s not forget, the satin sheets. Ooh la la!

But when you get there you’re worn out, tired, fatigued, can’t sleep. You have jet lag, my friend, and that wonderfully romantic trip has turned into a battle against exhaustion. For every time zone you flew through you now have to wait an extra day to get adjusted to the new schedule. By then you’ll be headed back to the states. What is a young lover to do???

Take Viagra.

Story here:
http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070521/full/070521-1.html

HERE is the journal article for you science-types.

Let me turn you on to a new concept which has aroused my interest in the last couple days: taking small doses of Viagra (a.k.a. sildenafil) may help you recover from jet lag 50% faster than without. At least, if you’re a hamster. But the authors of the study see no reason why a comparable dose in humans wouldn’t have the same effect, and anecdotal evidence seems to agree.

Yes, now you can take your little blue pill and rise to meet any challenge which comes your way: be a tourist, stay out late, pitch a tent for all I care, and, of course, make sweet, sweet love. Are you “up” for the challenge?

Ah, but I have sad news for you, young fellows. As a NewScientist.com article says, “A comparable dose for humans to the 70 micrograms of sildenafil given to the hamsters would be a small fraction of that found in the average Viagra pill, suggesting people might be able to take the drug to prevent eastbound jet lag without any effect on sexual desire.”

But what effect would a full dose have? I’ll tell you what it would have. You’ll be standing erect, head held high, and back on your feet in no time, or off your feet, depending on your rigorous activity! The streets of the City of Lights will be yours to conquer.

Just be careful about that dosage, now. Otherwise, when you’re flying across the Atlantic and the stewardess offers you a warm cloth, you’ll be asking for a cold one instead, and those airplane aisles will seem even tighter.


Images taken and altered from http://img-x.fotocommunity.com/56/2943456.jpg and http://www.trekkelly.com/images/art/sculpture/viagra-pill-ohs-b.jpg.