Knowra Jet lag Jet lag Jet lag is a temporary mismatch between the body’s internal circadian rhythms and local time after rapid travel across time zones. It can disrupt sleep, alertness, digestion, and other daily functions.
Circadian rhythm : A roughly 24-hour cycle in biological processes, regulated by internal clocks and synchronized by environmental cues. Jet lag occurs when this daily timing system remains set to the departure location.
Light therapy : The deliberate use of timed light exposure to influence biological rhythms or treat certain conditions. Carefully timed daylight can move the circadian clock toward the destination’s schedule.
Sleep deprivation : A condition in which insufficient sleep impairs alertness, cognition, mood, or physical functioning. Jet lag can cause sleep loss when biological sleep times conflict with local obligations.
Desynchronosis : A disruption in the coordination of biological rhythms, often used as a synonym for jet lag. The term emphasizes the internal loss of synchrony underlying the travel-related condition.
Suprachiasmatic nucleus : A paired brain structure in the hypothalamus that coordinates circadian timing in response to light. It adjusts the central body clock as light exposure changes after travel.
Melatonin supplement : An orally administered form of melatonin used to influence sleep timing and circadian rhythms. Timed doses can help shift sleep timing after crossing time zones.
Cognitive performance : The mental abilities used for attention, memory, reasoning, and decision-making. Circadian misalignment can reduce attention and decision quality during travel and recovery.
Non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder : A chronic circadian rhythm disorder in which the sleep-wake cycle drifts later or earlier each day. Unlike jet lag, the timing drift persists without requiring a recent time-zone crossing.
Zeitgeber : An environmental cue, especially light, that synchronizes an organism’s biological clock with the day-night cycle. Local daylight is the strongest cue for resetting circadian timing across time zones.
Sleep hygiene : Habits and environmental conditions that support regular, restorative sleep. A consistent sleep environment can ease symptoms while circadian timing readjusts.
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