sporkme writes “A DARPA-funded research project at UCLA has wrapped up a set of animal trials analyzing the effects of inhalation of the brain chemical orexin A, a deficiency of which is a characteristic of narcolepsy. Monkeys were deprived of sleep, and next given a shot of the compound. ‘The study … found orexin A not only restored monkeys’ cognitive abilities but made their brains look “awake” in PET scans. Siegel said that orexin A is rare in that it only had an impact on sleepy monkeys, not watchful ones, and that it is ’specific in reversing

the effects of sleepiness’ without other impacts on the brain.’ Researchers seem cautious to bill the treatment as a replacement for sleep, as it is not clear that adjusting brain chemistry could have the same physical benefits of real sleep in the expanded run. The drug is aimed at replacing amphetamines used by drowsy long-haul military pilots, but there would no doubt be large demand for such a remedy thanks to its obvious lack of side-effects.”

Read more of that story at Slashdot.

Orginal post by Zonk