Does Melatonin Prevent Jet Lag?

Based on anecdotal evidence and small studies, the pineal hormone melatonin has been touted as a useful treatment for symptoms of jet lag. In this double-blind trial, researchers randomly assigned 257 Norwegian physicians visiting New York to one of four regimens, starting on the day of travel back to Norway and continuing for five days: 5 mg at bedtime, 0.5 mg at bedtime, 0.5 mg taken progressively earlier each day, or placebo.

Participants completed a daily jet lag rating scale, devised by the researchers, that included nine prominent daytime symptoms of jet lag. During each of the six days following the trip back to Norway, there were no differences in jet lag scores between any of the active treatments and placebo. Various subgroups were…