Nasal Spray May Beat Caffeine

Help may be on the way for tired Americans in the form of a nasal spray that eliminates sleepiness without apparent side effects, reports Wired. UCLA scientists testing the naturally occurring brain hormone orexin A found that when used as a spray, it allowed sleep-deprived monkeys to perform as well as rested monkeys.

The treatment “reduces sleepiness without causing edginess." Stimulants such as caffeine and amphetamines can be addictive, cause mood swings, and raise blood pressure. Orexin A, researchers say, stimulated the brains of sleepy monkeys but didn’t affect rested moneys. Scientists warn orexin A is not a panacea; skimping on sleep leads to a host of health risks. (More science stories.)