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Nuvigil for Jet Lag plus 5 Other Remedies

Written by: SFD News on September 22nd, 2009

Nuvigil for Jet Lag plus 5 Other Remedies | read this item

In June, the manufacturer of Nuvigil (Cephalon) submitted a supplemental new drug application for excessive sleepiness associated with Jet Lag from Eastbound travel.

Not Westbound. Eastbound, the company says. How would they know Eastbound and not Westbound?

Turns out Cephalon put 427 adults through what has to be the best clinical trial ever: They flew them from the East Coast of the U.S. to France for a vacation observation.

Subjects were flown from the East Coast of the United States through six hours of time zone changes to arrive in France early in the morning, where they were escorted to a sleep center. Subjects were then given NUVIGIL or placebo once a day for three days. … Patients taking 150-milligram dose of NUVIGIL showed a statistically significant improvement over placebo.

But besides taking Nuvigil (or Viagra as some have reported), what else can you do?

Katherine Huether has put together her Top 5 which are simple, easy to do and don’t require a prescription:

1. Take Melatonin
Melatonin is the hormone responsible for regulating sleep cycles. Supplementing it can help you fall asleep at normal hours when you are at your new location. Just take the melatonin thirty minutes to an hour before your desired bed time. I’ve used this remedy before and it seems to help reset my body clock within a day or two.

2. Daylight Hours
One of the easiest and most effective methods I’ve used to beat jet lag is to observe regular daylight hours. Even if you don’t feel tired, force yourself to go to sleep and wake up during your regular hours. It also helps to resist the urge to nap. For example, if you arrive at a destination in the early morning, it is best to try to stay awake until your normal bedtime. If you can’t make it that long, try to get close.

3. Stay Hydrated
Water can really help control jet lag. Being at a high elevation for extended periods of time and in the dry airplane cabin can really sap your body of moisture. Dehydration can really affect your body’s ability to adapt to the new time zones. In order to help with jet lag I make sure to drink enough water before, during, and after the flight. I do notice that it helps me maintain my energy once I arrive at my destination.

4. Drink Green Tea
Green tea can help promote sleep and control stress and anxiety. If your jet lag is preventing you from relaxing when it’s time for bed, drinking decaf green tea can help considerably. I drink a few cups of green tea a day, especially when I am experiencing jet lag.

5. Try Valerian
Valerian is another herb that helps me get to sleep and can be very useful with jet lag. I usually take about 15-20 drops of the tincture mixed in with a little water thirty minutes before bedtime. What I like about this herb is that I wake up feeling well rested and refreshed.