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From road accidents to military attacks, it is thought that a third of people who survive a terrifying experience have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

There is now hope that in the future, a simple pill or nasal spray containing a natural stress-relieving chemical, called neuropeptide Y (NPY), could help survivors recover from stress faster and become less fearful and anxious.

The drug could also be used to make soldiers more resilient in battle situations, experts say.

A simple pill or nasal spray containing a natural stress-relieving chemical, could once day help PTSD survivors recover from stress faster and become less fearful and anxious. The drug could also be used to make soldiers more resistant in battle situations, experts say. A stock image of a soldier under stress is pictured

Scientists from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, are studying the effects of acute stress on the human body at the US army's 'survival school' called Camp Mackall in North Carolina.

There, soldiers are subjected to mock interrogations and other scary situations, Gizmodo reported. 

Professors Dennis Charney and Steven Southwick tested soldiers before and after the mock interrogations and discovered that a chemical called neuropeptide Y (NPY) was produced in the brain when they coped with extreme stress. 

Scientists are testing the effects of stress on soldiers who undergo mock interrogations (illustrated with a stock image) at 'survival school'

Soldiers with higher levels of NPY coped better under pressure. And overall, all of the special forces troops, who are known for working in particularly stressful environments, had more of the chemical than regular soldiers.

The chemical is triggered by stress and helps to repress the release of noradrenaline – a hormone that is involved in the flight-or-fight response.

The scientists think that higher levels of NPY enable people to recover from stress faster and help them be more resilient under pressure.

Animal tests have revealed that doses of the chemical can reduce fear and anxiety, while genetic studies suggest that people with a form of NPY gene are less prone to worrying.

Professor Charney believes that by understanding the role of NPY better, experts could unlock the secret of resilience.

His team has developed an NPY nasal spray to give PTSD patients a low dose of the drug, having gained permission from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in spring to test it on people.

While he said that a low dose does not appear to produce any noticeable benefits, the team is now giving PTSD sufferers higher doses and hopes to be able to share their its findings by next spring.

The scientists have high hopes because a study on mice in 2013 showed that seven days after the animals were put through a traumatic experience, they were given a high dose of NPY and showed fewer signs of depression and anxiety afterwards than untreated mice.