London, Mar 30 (ANI): Russian scientists have claimed that beating on the naked buttocks with a cane can cure everything from drug abuse to alcohol addiction and from depression to suicidal tendencies.

The researchers at Novosibirsk said that caning releases endorphins, the body's natural 'happiness hormones', which lead to feelings of euphoria, a reduction of appetite, the release of sex hormones, an enhancement of the immune response and prevents drug and alcohol addiction.

"The treatment works. I'm not sadistic, at least not in the classical sense, but I do advocate caning," Fox News quoted lead researcher Dr Sergei Speransky as saying to Izvestia daily.

The scientists recommend a standard treatment course of 30 sessions with 60 of the best, delivered on the buttocks by a person of average build.

Another researcher, Dr Marina Chuhrova, said that she had 10 patients she caned regularly. "At first they didn't like it, but when they started to feel the benefits they kept asking for more."

The Russian team will now start charging for the caning sessions getting 57 pounds per patient for a standard treatment. (ANI)

http://in.news.yahoo.com/050329/139/2kgn1.html