Chronic jet lag alters the brain

Studies are showing that memory and learning difficulties can continue long after returning from a long-distance flight over several time-zones.  The ability to get back to a regular 24-hour schedule, may become a struggle.  Researchers on hamsters found that time changes disturbed their ability to learn simple tasks. What was even more surprising was these problems continued one-month after stopping the study. 

The rule of thumb: Allow ONE full day of recovery for every hour of time zone change! 

From: Gibson EM, Wang C, Tjho S, Khattar N, Kriegsfeld LJ. Experimental ‘jet lag’ inhibits adult neurogenesis and produces long-term cognitive deficits in female hamsters. PLoS One. 2010 Dec 1;5(12):e15267.