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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staff
Melatonin
As a jet lag remedy and sleep aid, melatonin has its pros and cons. Some studies indicate that it's effective. Other studies have found the opposite. The latest research seems to show that melatonin does indeed aid sleep during times when you wouldn't normally be resting, making it of particular benefit for people with jet lag.
Small doses — as little as 0.5 milligram — seem just as effective as doses of 5 milligrams or higher. If you do use melatonin, take it 30 minutes before you plan to sleep or ask your doctor about the proper timing. Avoid alcohol when taking melatonin. Side effects are uncommon but may include dizziness, headache and loss of appetite and possibly nausea and disorientation.
Investigate other remedies
Most frequent fliers have a favorite jet lag cure, from aromatherapy or homeopathy to special diets. Many of these diets alternate days of feasting and fasting and high-protein and low-protein meals. Though no anti-jet-lag diets have definitively been shown to work, some people swear by them. If the diets themselves seem too complicated, you can approximate their effects by simply eating high-protein foods to stay alert and carbohydrates when you want to sleep. Most alternative jet lag therapies aren't harmful and may be worth a try if nothing else helps.
