A pill could cure jet lag

painful jet lag source: atomictoaster

The symptoms of a jet lag can be quite varied depending on the amount of time zone alteration. These conditions may last several days. Researchers at the Sleep Research Centre in the University of Surrey ,U.K., discovered that disrupted sleep cycles associated with shift work and jet lag have negative effects on the human health including diabetes and obesity, especially those who travel often due to work .These serious diseases become fatal when the body’s clock is out of sync for extended periods of time. One previous study discovered that jet lag damages the body because significant genes are not switched on. Additionally, the risk of heart attacks and strokes increases by more than 40%.

Fortunately, Dr. David Bechtold could possibly lead to an invention of a pill that inhibits the enzyme, CK1epsilon in humans.  Lacking CK1epsilon could adjust to a new light-dark cycle much faster than normal making one cope better when lights are turned on and off at times contrast to their natural day-night pattern. Thus, a pill that inhibits the enzyme could help the body’s clock adapt to sudden changes, assisting people to recover from a jet lag rapidly. These drugs will be available in approximately five years.

source: http://www.cbc.ca