According to The Independent, there could be a plausible cure to the dreaded symptoms of jetlag. The study conducted by Japan’s Kyoto University could even cure the effects of working irrepressible hours into the night. And yes, I am speaking on behalf of all the students out there.
We have built-in clocks within our bodies. However, the new research reveals that our primary clock resides in the contents of our brain. This clock controls our fatigue during the night and awareness during the day. The clock is manipulated by the amount of light in our surroundings. Our “master-clock” as most scientists refer to it, are comprised of 10,000 brain cells that send signals to each other. Scientists have revealed that the vassopressin receptors (the part of the cell that act as ears) can be adjusted to accelerate the body’s clock to move faster. Yoshiaki Yamaguchi’s research team examined mice, whose master-clock was set back eight days. By interfering with the vassopressin receptors, the mice were able to adapt to the time difference within a day. Normal mice took six days to adjust to a normal time frame.
This study could be the real flight to creating a method to use the newly uncovered knowledge of vassopressin receptors. Do not lose hope, for in a few years, there could be a cure to fatigue (as I am writing with drooping eyes into the night). Whether you have recently traveled to a completely incompetent time zone and/or are working long hours, this study could possibly lead to a permanent cure for our under-eye circles.
But before science rises to the occasion check out this article from The New York Times for some achievable advise for the battle ahead.