Episode Details

Anyone who has traveled a significant distance has felt the effects of jet lag...the fatigue, the altered appetite, the sleep irregularities. The science of jet lag and sleep is topic of tremendous interest both scientifically and in popular culture. In this episode we will:

• Define jet lag and how it relates to the circadian rhythm
• Examine how jet lag can influence our general and cognitive health as well as cancer risk
• Contrast the biological difference between eastward and westward travel and how they relate to circadian advances and delays
• Explore the various ways jet lag can be mitigated
• Understand the use of light exposure to lessen the impact of jet lag and how the timing of light relates to our body temperature curve
• Learn about the use of melatonin as a toll for jet lag mitigation
• Touch upon how caffeine and napping can be jet lag strategies
• Characterize the merits of hypnotics for travel
• Discover the surprising relationship between fasting and jet lag
• Conclude with the folly of alcohol as a jet lag strategy

Produced by: Maeve Winter

Music by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reserved

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• The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child

Thanks for listening and sleep well!