12/28/2007
Scientists: Brain Chemical Reverses Sleep Deprivation
Scientists have discovered a brain chemical that appears to reverse the effects of sleep deprivation when snorted:
"Orexin A is a promising candidate to become a "sleep replacement" drug. For decades, stimulants have been used to combat sleepiness, but they can be addictive and often have side effects, including raising blood pressure or causing mood swings. The military, for example, administers amphetamines to pilots flying long distances, and has funded research into new drugs like the stimulant modafinil and orexin A in an effort to help troops stay awake with the fewest side effects. The monkeys were deprived of sleep for 30 to 36 hours and then given either orexin A or a saline placebo before taking standard cognitive tests. The monkeys given orexin A in a nasal spray scored about the same as alert monkeys, while the saline-control group was severely impaired."
While the research is interesting, I can't imagine that an eventual drug made from this substance wouldn't lead to a whole host of new health issues for those who abuse it.
Posted 4:36 PM EST by Andy Towle in News, Science | Permalink
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Oh yeah, this is gonna be a huge hit 5 years from now in nightclubs everywhere...
Posted by: Butter | Dec 28, 2007 4:45:53 PM
Totally I can see it now Starbucks will get the franchise !!!!!!!
God Bless You Benazir
Posted by: Richie | Dec 28, 2007 5:20:46 PM
Wouldn't using cocaine work just as well and be much cheaper?
Posted by: Wheezy | Dec 28, 2007 8:43:39 PM
I cannot WAIT for this stuff, since I'm the biggest anti-sleep person you can imagine, and have tried everything under the sun to keep the party going.
This is the first interesting post I've seen on here in ages. I can totally see myself abusing this for sure.
Coke? (yawn) Doesn't work too well (even the good stuff)...Adderall is much better.
Meth is too hard-core and not for us pretty boys who want to stay pretty.
I'm gonna have to keep asking my pharmacist about this one or go back to sleeping with that geeky chemistry major again.
Posted by: Jordan | Dec 28, 2007 9:37:48 PM
Someone please tell me that "Jordan" is a joke.
No one can seriously be that flippin' stupid. Can they?!
I'm still not over the fact he didn't know where Cuba is located.
Posted by: RP | Dec 29, 2007 12:05:28 AM
Sounds like it could be used to pull guys off the ceiling after 3 days of tweaking, lol
Posted by: qjersey | Dec 29, 2007 7:42:31 AM
I seriously take offense to everyone not thinking that I am real. Bitches, get over it...I am totally for real. And granted, I admit I'm not a 'rocket scientist' like many of you wanna-be smart-asses, and don't really concern myself with most big issues you can't do anything about, but I'm for sure a real person.
So you can keep your negative, jealous, attacking threads to yourself. If anything, I'm more real than any of you bitches who want to tear me down. I'm just being myself here, and see what I get? I'm sure I get more action than any of you negative evil queens.
Posted by: Jordan | Dec 29, 2007 1:00:43 PM
Geez towleroad, do some research before posting this kinda stuff. The original article that went out over AP quoted the study doctor specifically saying that the substance had no effect on rats that weren't sleep deprived, that more observation of long term sleep deprivation in humans was needed, and that it certainly was NOT to be used as a replacement for sleep. The run-on about the military providing amphetamines to pilots did not include notation that they funded study into the substance Orexin A. That was a plain misquote. Uggh.
Posted by: SleepDawg | Dec 29, 2007 8:12:35 PM
I studied orexins in neurobiology class. It's a funny chemical that narcoleptics lack (dachsunds are commonly narcoleptics and have been central in narcolepsy studies.) the funny thing about sleep deprivation/orexin studies is that it appears that sleep isnt essential and lack of sleep does not normally cause harm. However, sleep is central in hippocampal conversion of short term memories. So people who are chronically sleep deprived have horrible lapses in memory (what was I talking about again?). I'd hate to party all night and have a great time, and never remember. then again, what does alcohol do to me too? haha.
Posted by: John | Dec 29, 2007 10:21:50 PM
I studied orexins in neurobiology class. It's a funny chemical that narcoleptics lack (dachsunds are commonly narcoleptics and have been central in narcolepsy studies.) the funny thing about sleep deprivation/orexin studies is that it appears that sleep isnt essential and lack of sleep does not normally cause harm. However, sleep is central in hippocampal conversion of short term memories. So people who are chronically sleep deprived have horrible lapses in memory (what was I talking about again?). I'd hate to party all night and have a great time, and never remember. then again, what does alcohol do to me too? haha.
Posted by: John | Dec 29, 2007 10:22:15 PM
Jordan.
Revelling in your ignorance is not being "real."
You are only fooling yourself.
Posted by: RP | Dec 31, 2007 7:10:29 PM
Holy Mary, I thought hetero trolls wasted time...you girls sound like a cawfee clatch with low blood sugah.
Anyhoo - The potential of A orexin seems worth more study. Be nice to hear of a non-military funding body, but then where did we get these cellphones from? Eventually Pfizer or Glaxco-Wellcome will get onto providing those of the overworking underclass a cushion to keep us from driving off the New Jersey turnpike (or what have you).
I, for one welcome the chance to replace melatonin supplements.
And oh lordy, please - cut down on the coke. You don't want to know how it's made, I'm sure, any more than you want the perforations in your sinus membranes.
Yuck!
Posted by: Damien Walder | Jan 2, 2008 5:44:36 PM