There’s nothing like a nice, long vacation, is there? Finding the time to get away is important for anyone who works long hours day after day and juggles countless responsibilities. While vacationing is a luxury, there’s one part of going away that is anything but pleasant – that’s right, we’re talking about jet lag.
Jet lag is something that almost all of us are familiar with if we’ve traveled more than a couple of hours to get somewhere. This condition is often laughed off, but the truth is that for some people, jet lag can be extremely debilitating while it’s occurring. It can interfere with work, sleep, mood and just about everything else that needs to function properly in order for us to get through our days.
Well, there’s good news. More people are reporting that CBD is actually helping them manage that inevitable condition. And, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. CBD works with the endocannabinoid system, which helps to regulate important bodily processes that dictate how we feel day to day. That being said, it just might help our bodies regulate all of the functions that are thrown out of whack, so to speak, after a lengthy traveling experience.
What is Jet Lag?
Jet lag is what happens when you cross time zones within a short time frame. When we travel, our bodies are crossing time zones more quickly than our internal clocks can handle, and this process can leave the body feeling extremely confused, and the mind highly disoriented. The further we travel and the longer we’re away, the worse the jet lag can be.
The most common symptom of jet lag is a disrupted sleep schedule. This makes sense, as our internal clock is used to one sleep schedule, and yet the difference in time zone requires that we sleep at different hours than what our bodies are used to.
However, other symptoms may occur as well. Jet lag can cause cognitive issues, such as a lack of alertness, concentration, motivation and memory. And, it can interfere with our mood, causing feelings of stress, anxiety and depression, likely because of how “thrown off” we feel mentally. Some say that jet lag can even cause a temporary weakening of the immune system, making us more likely to get sick.
Does Jet Lag Require Medical Attention?
Jet lag can definitely be unpleasant, but it likely doesn’t require medical attention. You may feel off for a short period of time, but it’s likely that your health is not in any real danger. Many find that by the time they get an appointment to see their doctor, the symptoms have already begun wearing off.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that jet lag can be confused with being sick due to an overlap of certain symptoms. Also, some people find that they are more likely to get sick when they are away from home, as their immune system struggles to adjust to an entirely new climate. If you have symptoms of an infection, such as fever, digestive troubles or respiratory difficulties, you should seek medical attention, because it’s likely that this is an illness, not jet lag.
How Long Does Jet Lag Last?
Jet lag generally lasts for a few days. However, it all depends on how long you were away, how far you traveled and how sensitive you are to sudden time zone changes. Some people may feel better after a day, some people may need a full 10 days to recover, and some lucky people may not experience jet lag at all.
Can Jet Lag be Prevented?
It’s very unlikely that jet lag can be prevented. As of now, there are no known ways to prevent jet lag. The best thing that you can do is take care of your body so that you’ll feel healthy when jet lag takes effect. Before you depart and while you’re away, consume lots of water, eat nutritious foods, get proper sleep and keep your stress levels low.
Can Jet Lag be Treated?
There’s no known cure for jet lag. Jet lag is not a disease but a temporary response to a phenomenon. Therefore, it’s not treated as an illness. But a doctor may prescribe sleeping medication that you can take while you slowly adjust back to your natural sleep cycle.
CBD and Jet Lag
A lot of people are finding that taking CBD before, during and after travel helps their body stay in good overall shape to combat the effects of jet lag. You may be wondering how this is possible, as jet lag throws off our internal clock so dramatically. How can a single plant help us feel normal after long hours of flying?
Well, it has to do with the endocannabinoid system, primarily.
The Endocannabinoid System and Regulating the Body
The endocannabinoid system helps the body achieve homeostasis. It does this by sending cannabinoids such as CBD to cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, and when these cannabinoid receptors receive cannabinoids, chemical reactions take place that regulate adjacent bodily processes and systems.
What that means is that when we consume CBD products, we’re supporting the endocannabinoid system’s ability to regulate bodily processes that are affected by jet lag. The endocannabinoid system regulates everything from our sleep cycle to our mood, and even the function of our immune system, our digestive system and more.
CBD and Sleep
The most common complaint related to jet lag is a thrown off sleep cycle. Again, this is because our body clock is used to another time zone. Well, CBD has the potential to get that sleep cycle back to normal, according to research. It helps this by regulating the secretions of melatonin, serotonin, cortisol and other neurotransmitters that dictate when we fall asleep and when we wake up.
CBD and Mood
CBD’s unique potential effects on our neurotransmitters means that it also has the capability of balancing our mood. We can feel very stressed out or emotionally unwell when we have jet lag due to its disorienting effects. CBD may be able to help balance things out so that we can maintain a consistent mood as we recover.
CBD and Pain
Some people report feeling achy and sore following a lengthy travel, and this may be due to the body’s immune system being thrown off. The good thing is that CBD also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that are gentle enough to be utilized daily.
Taking CBD for Jet Lag
If you wish to take CBD specifically for jet lag, we recommend starting about a week before your trip, and continuing daily for a couple weeks after returning. CBD works best when it’s taken consistently, and it can take a couple of weeks before it really “kicks in.” We also suggest taking a slightly higher-than-average milligram strength, as the body can be quite thrown off by jet lag, and the higher potency level can increase the chances of regulating the body faster. Finally, make sure that you go with a trusted brand such as Blue Moon Hemp for the best quality product(s) such as hemp oil tinctures, CBD gummies, or even salves.
Overall, jet lag can be a pretty awful condition that can damper any of the joy that comes with traveling. While it probably cannot be prevented, it’s possible that CBD might be able to help you feel back on track in a timely manner.
