New ‘Smart Drug’ May Reset Internal Clock to Beat Jet Lag
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
Frequent flyers and night-shift workers may soon find relief in a pill bottle. Japanese scientists have developed a prototype "smart drug" capable of manipulating the body's circadian rhythm, potentially cutting jet lag recovery time in half.
The new oral compound, identified as Mic-628, targets the body's molecular timekeeping system. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the drug works by activating a specific gene known as Per1. It achieves this by inhibiting a protein that usually suppresses the gene, effectively pushing the "fast forward" button on the body's master clock.
In laboratory tests on mice, the results were dramatic. A single dose of Mic-628 reduced the time required to adjust to a new time zone from seven days to just four. Notably, the drug successfully advanced the circadian clock regardless of when it was administered. This "time-independent" nature marks a significant improvement over current remedies like melatonin or light therapy, which require precise timing to be effective and often yield inconsistent results.
This breakthrough could be a game-changer for the more than 100 million people who experience jet lag annually. Beyond the annoyance of brain fog and fatigue, chronic disruption of the circadian rhythm—common among flight crews and shift workers—is linked to serious health risks, including insomnia, depression, diabetes, and cancer.
While the compound has shown promise in animal models, specifically for difficult "eastward" travel adjustments, researchers note that human trials are still needed to ensure safety and efficacy. Until then, travelers are advised to stick to traditional methods: shifting bedtimes pre-flight and staying hydrated.
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Keywords: Beat Jet Lag
Beat Jet Lag
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