Got tricks to beat jet lag while traveling? 45% of frequent flyers say Viagra works

▲ Can you imagine that one way to relieve jet lag involves taking “the little blue pill”? (Image / Illustration / Dagou Images)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

When traveling abroad, besides language barriers, many people’s biggest hassle is adjusting to the time difference. How can you avoid jet lag or relieve the discomfort it causes? AccordingCNNto a report, SkyScanner (Skyscanner) surveyed Singaporean travelers on this issue and, in addition to answers like taking sleeping pills or doing stretches on the plane to ease symptoms, there was also mention of taking “Viagra”! And over half of the travelers said, “It really works!”

When traveling, especially abroad, before even facing language barriers or unfamiliar environments, many can't avoid dealing with jet lag. Crossing different time zones causes our biological clocks to go out of sync, leading to discomforts such as insomnia (or oversleeping), fatigue, and irritability. To alleviate these symptoms, frequent fliers among Singaporean travelers have come up with many methods to fight back.

% of respondents mentioned other methods to deal with the issue, with some choosing to avoid caffeine... or drink alcohol. (Image / Illustration / Dagou Images)

SkyscannerA survey of 1,000 Singaporean travelers identified 12 of the most commonly used methods to combat jet lag, and the most surprising answer turned out to betaking “Viagra”! 11% of respondents said they had tried this method, and more than half claimed it really works. In fact, back in 2007, researchers in Argentina conducted an experiment with hamsters and found that Viagra does indeed help adjust to jet lag—but only when crossing time zones eastward, not westward. It's also unclear whether it's effective for women.

Other methods to relieve jet lag include staying awake during the flight, taking sleeping pills, avoiding alcohol, and doing stretching exercises. However, the effectiveness of these methods varies from person to person and may not work for everyone.

Skyscanner surveyed “jet lag remedies,” and these are the 12 methods travelers say actually work

1. Doing stretches/light exercises on the plane – 51%(This is verified data)
2. Taking sleeping pills – 48%
3. Setting your watch to the new time zone in advance – 46%
4. Eating healthy light vegetarian meals – 46%
5. Taking Viagra – 45%
6. Exercising or getting fresh air before boarding – 45%
7. Avoiding alcoholic drinks – 42%
8. Taking herbal remedies for jet lag – 42%
9. Drinking alcohol – 41%
10. Staying awake during the flight – 40%
11. Taking anti-jet lag medication – 39%
12. Taking melatonin – 36%
 

ETtoday Eastday News reminds you that Viagra is a “prescription medication” in Taiwan—you need a doctor’s prescription to purchase it at a pharmacy.