Tend to More Severe Jet Lag When Flying to East Direction

Flying across multiple time zones is always risky trigger jet lag, namely the difficulty to adapt to differences in day and night cycle. Than when flying to the west, jet lag is more pronounced on the way to the east.

As the plane flew to the east, the relative time go faster because atah toward sunrise. Conversely when the plane flew to the west, the relative time will run slower because of the approaching direction of sunset.



"Since long time we believed, in both humans and other creatures, adaptation to the time go faster would be more difficult than when time runs slower," said Horacio de la Iglesia from the University of Washington, as quoted from Health24, Tuesday (25/10 / 2011).

When entering an area with extreme time zone differences, the brain will actually make adjustments to recognize the light dark cycle. However, as noted by Horacio, this adjustment will be more difficult to do when the time zone is accelerated.

Adjustment for time zone changes, according to Horacio occur in the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. As time runs faster, suprachiasmatic nucleus will work harder than when I have to adjust the slow running time.

This difference is revealed by Horacio when conducting experiments with hamsters. He observed the hamster brain activity when carried by an aircraft in flight distance to the east, and then compare it with the current flown to the west.

The results of experiments conducted by Horacio in line with the theory that he had argued earlier and has been published online in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In general, jet lag does not cause serious disruption, but felt very disturbing daily activities. For example during the day when it should move, the brain is considered evenings so that your body automatically sends a signal drowsiness.