Jet lag running you down? A cure may be in sight thanks to this hormone

It's always been a mystery how jet lag affects some travellers and not others, but no more - the culprit is a hormone called vasopressin. Vasopressin is responsible for maintaining our internal clocks, and sensitive people can be more susceptible to its effects.

Researchers genetically engineered mice that do not respond to vasopressin. Both engineered and normal rodents lived in a set cycle of light and dark for 2 weeks. Then the researchers changed the light cycle by eight hours. And the vasopressin-insensitive mice recovered from their induced jet lag much more quickly than did their hormone-sensitive peers. 

For many people, jet lag isn't simply an inconvenience. The symptoms can be extreme, causing your vacation to be wasted as you spend time catching up on sleep. While there's no cure for jet lag yet, the article Cutting Hormone Could Trip Jet Lag offers us a little hope that a remedy is on the way.

 

 

Get your own travel assistant, help with your trip and personal travel advice, all for free

More Travel Advice Like This

KLM has revealed the future of flight. Hint: You'll be sitting IN the wings.

Transportation

If you’re one of those travelers who always picks a seat over the wing, you’re...

Read More

7 Tips for Holiday Travel from an Airline Expert

Transportation

Every time there's a major weather event, we hear about stranded travelers. Maybe you've been...

Read More

Now You Can Take the Chunnel Train to a New Destination in Europe

Transportation

London to Paris for a romantic weekend? Belgium to London for tea? Travelers have gotten...

Read More

On One of the Most Scenic Railways in the World, Switzerland Breaks Record for Longest Train

Transportation

It's official! On October 29th, 2022, Switzerland's Rhaetian Railway (RhB) operated the longest narrow gauge...

Read More