Three Stooges Museum in Pa. (AP)

AP - Posing for a picture with life-size replicas of the Three Stooges, Gary Lassin smiled but didn't say "cheese." Read more…

 

Solving jet lag

04.10.2006 15:35 Around the world - Source: blogs.smh

fruitfly200.jpg

A geneticist at the University of Pennsylvania, Amita Sehgal, has uncovered something interesting about fruit flies. They lack a certain protein which Sehgal calls "jet".

Sehgal discovered that the fly sleeps normally when in light for 24 hours but adopts an unsettled sleep pattern when the insect is shifted from one "time zone" to another.

Sehgal believes this protein, jet, is missing in humans and solving the problem could lead to a pharmaceutical remedy for jet lag.

That could be someway off, so please share with us your jet lag fixes.

Posted by Stephen Samuelson
September 27, 2006 12:22 PM

LATEST COMMENTS

The strongest pharmaceuticals you can get your hand on. I was inboard of 2 older ladies on a Singers to Europe leg and a couple of hours after take-off, necked my prescription-strength sleeping aids. When I awoke as breakfast was being served, some 9 or so hours later, the ladies commented how soundly I slept, not even stirring when the climbed over me. I hot London running. Sound sleep, minimal jet lag.

The timing of the flight can be important. eg the 10.30pm Kangaroo Route flight slots quite nicely into ones natural diurnal rhythms, I find.

Safe travels

  • Posted by: Long Hauler at September 27, 2006 11:26 PM

Water, water and more water is the answer, oh and get up off your arse to walk around a bit occasionaly. The cramped space and never ending supply of uninspiring food wreaks havoc with your emotional state, let alone dehydration and persistent lethargy! At least you're in control of the latter!

  • Posted by: lilan at September 28, 2006 06:20 PM

Melatonin (available in the US). Helps to reset your time clock. But only use 1mg (generally sold 1mg and 3 mg): evening before leaving, on the plane and two nights after arrival. I've used it for many years, many long flights and it works well without the lethargy caused by sleeping (or alcohol) remedies. There are various schemes depending on direction of travel and number of times zones.

  • Posted by: Kathleen at October 2, 2006 05:13 PM

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Remember Me? YesNo

Your comments:

Security code:  


Comments terms & conditions

When posting comments on blogs you agree to abide by our terms and conditions.

Comments that are offensive, defamatory, unsuitable or that breach any aspects of the terms will be deleted.

Drop in on the other bloggers in the rowdy Herald stable.

RECENT ENTRIES

ARCHIVES

www.sitename.com