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Related Experiment Videos

Melatonin for preventing and treating jet lag.

A Herxheimer1, K J Petrie

  • 1UK Cochrane Centre, 9 Park Crescent, London N3 2NL, UK. andrew herxheimer@compuserve.com

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 2, 2001
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Oral melatonin effectively reduces jet-lag for air travelers crossing five or more time zones. Doses between 0.5mg and 5mg are effective, with higher doses improving sleep quality. Occasional use appears safe for most adults.

Area of Science:

  • Circadian Rhythms
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Jet-lag disrupts travelers' internal body rhythms due to time zone changes.
  • Melatonin, a pineal hormone, regulates bodily rhythms and aids in re-alignment.
  • Oral melatonin is used to mitigate jet-lag symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of oral melatonin in various dosages for alleviating jet-lag.
  • To assess the impact of melatonin on sleep quality and circadian rhythm adaptation after air travel.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing oral melatonin with placebo.
  • Searched multiple databases (Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE) and journals for relevant studies.
  • Included trials with airline passengers, staff, or military personnel measuring jet-lag components.

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Main Results:

  • Melatonin significantly reduced jet-lag when taken near destination bedtime (10 PM-midnight) for flights across five or more time zones.
  • Doses of 0.5mg to 5mg were similarly effective, with 5mg improving sleep onset and quality.
  • The number needed to treat (NNT) was 2; benefits were greater for eastward travel and more time zones crossed.

Conclusions:

  • Oral melatonin is effective for preventing or reducing jet-lag in adults traveling across five or more time zones, especially eastbound.
  • Short-term use is generally safe, but caution is advised for individuals with epilepsy or on warfarin.
  • Further research on melatonin's pharmacology, toxicology, and interactions is recommended.