Relationship of Melatonin with Jet-Lag and Sleep Disturbances

Jet-lag is the result of extensive distance travel in crossing time zones at a fast rate. The symptoms of such would include sleep disturbance, reduction of psychomotor efficiency, loss of appetite and general body weakness. Alterations in the sleep of patterns of aircrews have been a problem due to long haul schedules. Travel at rapid rates across different time zones can disturb the normal rhythm. A person can easily adapt following a flight westward since the day is longer there and the endogenous clock is about twenty five hours. Circadian rhythms will need a day to adapt for every time zone being crossed. An investigation was performed for the efficacy of oral melatonin for sleep in order to alleviate jet lag which occurs in flight crew after doing a series of international flights. What was also investigated was the optimal time used with the intake of melatonin. When melatonin dosage of 5 mg was given on the arrival for about five days, there was improved recovery from jet lag, sleepiness and mood. Faster recovery of energy as well as alertness was also observed. Researchers, however, caution regarding the melatonin side effects on a person’s performance since these has yet to be evaluated.