The Viagra Pilot

AFP reports on our latest ingenuity.

It might harm their reputation, but Israel’s air force is considering giving its combat pilots Viagra to improve their performance in the air.

A recent study conducted by Israeli doctors among mountain climbers in Africa found a link between erectile dysfunction drugs and improved performance in high altitudes, the mass-selling Yediot Aharonot reported.

The active ingredient in the drugs was found to make climbers perform better in an environment with less oxygen, which causes fatigue and dizziness.

This has led army doctors to consider giving jet fighter pilots – who can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet – the same drug.

“The Viagra family of drugs is considered effective in these conditions because when there is a long shortage in oxygen it leads to high blood pressure in the lungs, and the drugs help fight that,” the report quoted military medical sources as saying.

Gives new meaning to the words “up in the air.”

About the Author

An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.

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Tags: Science and Technology