Jet Lag

[macdog]

Gents,

just returned home from Europe and struggling with jet lag.

Best methods to combat it?

Whats the longest it's taken you to recover and get back to normal?

[Birds]

Melatonin

[GTR-N1]

Melatonin

1) Has anyone ever noticed that it can be worse when travelling from west to east (rather than the opposite direction)?

2) If so, is that due to the direction that our earth spins?

3) If that's so, can one escape jetlag by continuing one's journey around the earth from east to west until reaching Australia again?

[rosella]

Melatonin

1) Has anyone ever noticed that it can be worse when travelling from west to east (rather than the opposite direction)?

2) If so, is that due to the direction that our earth spins?

3) If that's so, can one escape jetlag by continuing one's journey around the earth from east to west until reaching Australia again?

Terry,

My understanding is....

1) jet lag is more prevalent when travelling east.

2) No, it's caused by the body's inability to advance it's circadian rhythms to cope and it's easier to delay them when travelling east to west, and the necessary exposure to light to realign the body clock does not tie in with the day/night cycle at the destination.

3) No, due again to the circadian rhythms.

Most jet lag can be overcome by adjusting your circadian rhythms, ala your internal clock, by beginning up to 3 days before flying W->E to the time zone you are intending to stay in.

[GTR-N1]

Insightful logic is good > Ta Russell.

[macdog]

That Melatonin has side effects though doesn't it?

I'm pretty sure my parents gave it a go and they were having hot sweats and other nasty side effects....

[Birds]

As with all medicines, different people can have different reactions. The most important factor here is dosage, which is usually responsible for most adverse reactions to melatonin - people taking too much! Consider that melatonin is a naturally occurring chemical within everyone's brain, so taking it is a "supplementation" rather than an additive. As it is naturally occurring, it is not an adverse reaction to melatonin, but an adverse reaction to the dosage. Start small and work your way up until positive effects are felt. If you only feel negative effects from it, simply stop. It won't kill you!