Suffering From Jet Lag? Scientists Step Closer To Helping Body Clock Adjust To Time Zones

Suffering From Jet Lag?

There's no escaping jet lag. Depending on where you're going, it either messes up your holiday (by making you a zombie on arrival at your destination) or undoes all of the holiday relaxation (that you earned sipping cocktails by the pool) and makes you act like a tired, moody toddler.

No one is immune - it can knock even the strongest of us out for days.

But those weary-eyed, jet-lagged days may soon be over, as scientists in Japan edge closer to developing a drug that can help people adapt to a different time zone in just one single day.

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There is a "master clock" that programmes the body to sleep at night, which helps to keep people in sync with the time zone.

By interfering with the brain cells of mice that control the body clock (vasopressin receptors), scientists could get the brain to adapt to quickly.

The anti-jet lag drug could also have major health benefits.

"Studies have shown that chronic jet lag and rotating shift work can increase an individual's risk of developing hypertension, obesity, and other metabolic disorders," say the study's authors.

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How To Adjust Your Body Clock
How To Adjust To The Clock Going Forward (01 of06)
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Find out how to adjust your body clock to the time change, with Sleep and Energy Coach at Capio Nightingale Hospital and author of Tired but Wired, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan. (credit:Alamy)
Don't Break Your Routine(02 of06)
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"Try to get up at your usual time to adjust to the time difference otherwise it may throw you out of sync for the week ahead." (credit:Alamy)
Get Active (03 of06)
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"Get up and get going - Spring is here! Get some exercise - even a brisk walk is great. This will help you to feel more tired so that you can sleep on Sunday night." (credit:Alamy)
Don't Fret (04 of06)
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"The hour of sleep that you are missing out on is of negligible value. You have your most powerful sleep in the first couple of sleep phases. Don't waste time and energy fretting about what really isn't that important." (credit:Alamy)
Have A Power Nap (05 of06)
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"If you hit a slump on Sunday afternoon have a power nap at some point between 2 and 4pm. It should be no more than 20mins." (credit:Alamy)
Avoid Caffeine When Possible(06 of06)
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"Avoid having too much caffeine if you are tired. This will disrupt your Sunday night. Try to go to bed at the adjusted time on Sunday. If you really aren't tired do something restful and peaceful." (credit:Alamy)

"Our results identify vasopressin signalling as a possible therapeutic target for the management of circadian rhythm [body clock] misalignment."

The study is published in the journal Science.