Glasses to stave off jet lag?
2012-11-23 15:52
London - While setting off to an exotic and far-flung destination may be one of the most exciting things around, the jet lag that inevitably follows is never fun.
However, those feelings of tiredness and disorientation could be something of the past soon as Australian scientists are busy developing the world's first time-control spectacles, Daily Mail reports.
The high-tech glasses emit a soft green glow whichProfessor Leon Lack of Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia, says works on the human body clock to change our sleep patterns.
Using the device, called the Re-Timer, means long-haul air passengers can step off the plane feeling fresh.
The glasses could also help insomnia sufferers, keep shift workers more alert and get teenagers out of bed in the morning.
"The light from Re-Timer stimulates the part of the brain responsible for regulating the 24-hour body clock," said Professor Lack, of Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia.
"Using a light device allows you to transition your body clock to a new time zone in small steps. This eliminates the sudden change people experience after flying and reduces the symptoms of jet lag."
The scientists say the light exposure changes the behaviour of a gland at the base of the brain which controls the body clock. It sends signals to the rest of the body, triggering the production of hormones, which create daily cycles known as circadian rhythms.
The battery-powered glasses, which are on sale in the UK on the Re-Timer website for £162 (about R2 000), can be worn while completing normal daily tasks such as working on the computer or reading.
Photos: Cpapaustralia
