The symptoms of jet lag cause distress to an increasing number of travelers. Potentially they may impair sleep,mood and cognitive performance. Critically timed exposure to bright light and melatonin administration can help to reduce symptoms.
Bright light is one of the most powerful synchronizers of human rhythms and melatonin serves as a ‘‘dark pulse’’ helping to induce nighttime behaviors. Thus, enhancing day and night signals to the brain, appropriate to the environmental light/dark cycle of the new time zone, can serve to reestablish adaptive timing relationships between the body’s internal biological rhythms and the external environment, and thereby reduce the symptoms of jet lag.
The above is from a paper published in 2002, Jet Lag: Minimizing It’s Effects with Critically Timed Bright Light and Melatonin Administration.
I came across this research just before my recent trip to Boston. I always use high dose melatonin to help with jet lag but because it was a business trip and I needed to be in top form as soon as I arrived, I was intrigued about the addition of bright light. So I purchased a light-weight 10,000 lux bright light panel and took it with me.
I was actually looking for solutions for my issues with a strange sleep pattern i.e. in waking in the early hours and not being able to get back to sleep on days when I would go to bed much earlier than usual. That pilot study found that “a brief course of morning bright light treatment had positive effects on subjective sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and sleep timing in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.” And it led me to the jet lag research which is typical when you’re digging through the research!
The benefits for both situations – jet lag and disturbed sleep/bile issues – reinforced my decision and I’m so glad I got one. I love it! My jet lag results were better with the bright light and melatonin combined (with some caveats I share below). And I continue to use my light panel daily which means much improved sleep on those nights when I have to get to bed earlier. I am a hot mess when I don’t get a good 9 hours sleep and it’s something I continually work on.
I share more on both studies below, details on what timing is best for the bright light when traveling and at home, melatonin dosing (from the study and what I do) and how I plan to adjust things for my next long flight.
More from the jet lag study on bright light timing and melatonin
The jet lag paper talks about light being “one of the most powerful synchronizers of human circadian rhythms:
- Light in the morning advances circadian rhythms and
- Light in the evening delays circadian rhythms.”
And so the author shares different and very “specific recommendations using bright light and melatonin for eastward and westward travel before and after departure”and depending on “time zone changes of up to 6, 7-9 and 10 or more hours.”
These involve using the bright light either morning or night and likewise with the melatonin.
Since I was traveling eastbound from Sydney to Boston (21+ hours depending on the route) I should have followed those specific instructions.
How I used the bright light panel and melatonin
Instead, I kept it simple and 3 days before my departure I started using the bright light for 30 minutes in the morning and took 2.5 mg melatonin (and my other usual sleep solutions – see below).
When I arrived in Boston I had an afternoon nap and took 10mg of melatonin that first night – the usual increase in melatonin I use when doing long trips. For the duration of my time in Boston (a week), I used the light panel each morning for 30 minutes and 10mg of melatonin each night. And I did not experience any jet lag, other than feeling a little tired for about an hour each afternoon. I was waking earlier than usual (4am then 4:30am then 5am and then 6am) but was getting 8-9 hours of solid sleep.
I stopped in Hawaii and spent a week with my sister on the way home. I did the same even though the paper had different directions for flying westbound on a 12 hour trip. I was really tired on arriving and crashed early and still woke earlier than usual but had no jet lag.
I continue to use the light panel for 30 minutes each morning and am using 10mg melatonin (I’ll drop it down to 2.5mg soon – wild dreams are my clue I’m getting too much). My sleep has been solid since returning (other than an issue with cellulose in a new product I tried). My bedtime is earlier and I had a little less energy in the afternoons for the first 2 weeks.
We were sprayed with insecticide on the plane on arrival in Australia so I suspect that may have been a factor. (I am trying to get something done about this – I can’t actually believe this happens!)
You may wonder why I shared this study and what I did instead. Quite honestly, I was in a mad rush before I left and didn’t have time to work out the different recommendations. And I figured if I found it overwhelming others may too so let’s keep it simple.
That said, I’m impressed by the level of detail in the recommendations and may try to implement some of this on a future trip where I have some leeway if it doesn’t work. If you’ve done it per the recommendations in the above study please do let us know.
Morning bright light for disturbed sleep in primary biliary cholangitis
As I mentioned above, I had also just read the pilot study, Morning Bright Light Treatment for Sleep-Wake Disturbances in Primary Biliary Cholangitis. “Primary biliary cholangitis is a rare, immune-mediated cholestatic liver disease, mostly affecting women” where there is cholestasis or a decrease in bile flow, pruritus (itchiness) and fatigue. I don’t have this condition but do have bile issues and was experiencing a new sleep problem that my usual sleep protocol wasn’t helping.
I’ve always typically been a night owl, going to bed late and getting up late. However, I’m part of a new US-based Mastermind and with the time difference I have to get up at 5:30am two mornings a week for training sessions. I would go to bed 9 hours earlier and without fail would wake at 1am or 2am and not be able to get back to sleep.
I figured it may be liver/bile related so when I found the above paper I was very excited to give morning bright light a try. And it’s been working!
The pilot study reports these results: “a brief course of morning bright light treatment had positive effects on subjective sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and sleep timing in patients with PBC.” This matches what I am experiencing on those early training days.
If you’re curious, I write about my current bile issues here: Ox bile as a supplement: to help counter the effects of dietary oxalates very likely caused by bile issues and poor fat digestion. I’m not suggesting it’s anything like primary biliary cholangitis other than something seems to be going on with my liver and bile production or bile quality. I will add that ox bile supplementation has reduced my daytime fatigue dramatically.
Interestingly, in other research, it was suggested that “pruritus of cholestasis is responsive to bright light in some patients” i.e, the itchiness that is experienced with chronic liver disease/bile issues.
My light panel and other sleep solutions
As I shared above, I am a hot mess when I don’t get a good 9 hours of sleep and it’s something I continually work on.
I took this photo in Boston in my hotel room. You can see the light panel and the nutrients I use at night on a regular basis. There are also 3 essential oils I use on the blue cloth (lavender, rose geranium and clary sage) and mouth tape. I always use an eye patch and only use earplugs when traveling.
I recorded a video discussing each of the above and why I use it and will share this as a separate post if there is interest.
The only change for this trip was the full spectrum light panel.
The full spectrum light panel I purchased and now recommend
This is the exact one I purchased (my Amazon link and above image from Amazon). It has 5 brightness levels but I’m only using the brightest one. It has a timer – 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes. To be safe I started with 10 minutes, then went to 20 minutes the next day and then 30 minutes and have continued with this time. It also has 3 colors but I’ve only used the white so far.
I packed it in my suitcase in the original box and although it was a little bulky, it worked well to prevent it getting damaged.
If you already have a 10,000 lux full spectrum light box or lamp, it will provide similar results and also mood benefits if you experience the winter blues (more about that here). However the light-weight bright light panel is ideal for traveling.
Update Dec 2025:
If the above full spectrum light panel is not available here are some other comparable panel options and some lamp options too:
- Verilux Happy Light Luxe – a light panel (my Amazon link)
- Verilux Happy Light Alba – another light panel (my Amazon link)
- Happy Light Therapy Lamp – a standing map for your living room, bedroom or office (my Amazon link)
- Light Therapy Lamp – a desk lamp (my Amazon link)
Additional resources when you are new to using amino acids as supplements
As you can see I continue to use GABA and tryptophan to keep me sleeping well and anxiety-free.
For clients who may be considering using either one of these amino acids, I use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low low serotonin or other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue.
If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.
There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control (this is covered in an entire chapter too), sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs.
If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms too). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
Wrapping up and your feedback
I’d love to hear from you – does any of this resonate with you? If yes, has full spectrum light therapy helped with jet lag? What light box or light panel do you use? And do you also travel with one?
Do you also use melatonin for jet lag and how much helps you? And what else is part of your sleep solutions?
Has bright light therapy improved your sleep if you have liver/bile issues? Has it prevented middle of the night waking?
If you’re a practitioner have you seen this research and seen bright light therapy help with jet lag and/or sleep disruption caused by liver/bile issues?
Feel free to share and ask your questions below.
Thanks Trudy, I’ve enjoyed reading about your experiences with jetlag, light, melatonin and travelling with supplements. I’m going Aus to UK next month and feel more confident about planning these things. CFS etc so need to watch my spoons and keen things as optimal as possible!
Helen
You’re most welcome. Have a wonderful trip and do let us know if you decide to use a light panel or have you already used one in the past?
Not sure what you meant to say here “need to watch my spoons”?
For great information on sleep, Andrew Huberman has some great podcast episodes on sleep and sleep protocols, including a whole series with sleep expert Matt Walker. He’s a big proponent of getting early morning sunlight to help with circadian rhythm and melatonin production.
https://www.hubermanlab.com
Kristi
Thanks for sharing. I haven’t listened to this series yet – do they discuss jet lag and the bile/gallbladder/liver issues connections? And bright light devices like this?
I’m a big fan of early morning sunlight but when it’s not doable (like on a biz trip or when it’s cloudy/rainy/snowing) then using a full spectrum lamp is perfect. Many folks need that additional serotonin boost too.
Hi Trudy,
I don’t remember anything about bile/gallbladder/liver issues on the episodes I’ve listened to (there are MANY), but some do discuss shift work and jet lag and devices. All the episodes have timestamps, so it’s easy to search for what you’re interested in and jump around.
Here’s a shortcut to sleep hygiene episodes:
https://www.hubermanlab.com/topics/sleep-hygiene
Thanks!
Would love it if you did a video! I can’t take more than 1 or 2mg Melatonin or get nightmares worse than the normal ones. The bile issue is new to me!!! And that last gets could help. Every year I say I’m getting a panel for winter blues but if it helps year round not to wake up at 4 am will try it.
Karla
I am able to tolerate more melatonin when I travel and I suspect it’s because I have a higher need. It’s also an antioxidant so is possibly being used up more with the “stress” of travel. More here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9788115/ “Melatonin and its derivates are considered to be potent free radical scavengers and broad-spectrum antioxidants”
When I hear nightmares worse then the normal ones we check if low B6 is an issue – nightmares are a big clue.
Yes fascinating about the bile connection – glad you learned something new. Do you have bile issues? Do keep us posted if you get a light panel/box and it helps
Not sure what this means: “And that last gets could help” but yes will do a video.
Sorry typo s/b “didn’t know lights could help bile”
I’m taking Tudca for bile – mold exposure my whole life
You’ve taught me so much & I take aminos every day plus share your site with everyone
Karla
Thanks for clarifying – keep in mind it’s more the connection between circadian rhythm and bile, and bright lights helps to reset circadian rhythm.
Thanks for sharing my site and we always wants to address mold source and mycotoxins as I’m sure you’re aware
Thanks Trudy, fascinating as always. I’m intrigued by light therapy generally. A healing program I’m currently following is advocating “heliotherapy” (experience mid-day sun rays) to stimulate more Vit D production. For years I’ve felt we have too much ‘covering up’ going on to be healthy. Obviously caution needs to be exercised and everyone is different. I suffer from Gilberts Syndrome – a liver detox genetic condition. Do you have resources which might address this particular problem? Anxiety seems to be part and parcel of its symptoms. I know infra red is recommended to aid detox. Would you have a view and are there devices which you might recommend to provide infra red in the home?
On another topic, have just signed up for your GABA event. Have a stressful event coming up and would love to know how best to address the associated anxiety.
Thank you for all your amazing work.
Hi Trudy,
Where can I purchase Ox Bile supplements? I am in Brisbane Queensland.
I’ve been unable to find any of these.
My digestion is causing me severe problems (gall bladder removed at 16 Years old!)
I’m now 76.
I’m now using digestive enzymes constantly but they don’t seem adequate sometimes.
I have the itching usually as I’m trying to go to sleep. Yes, sleep issues as well.
Thank you, Jacqueline
Jacqueline
I’m sorry you’re struggling. I’m using Nutricology Ox Bile 125mg – I decided to start low and it’s working for me. You can find it on iherb (use my link and save 5% https://www.iherb.com/?rcode=BAN2021)
Be sure to read my ox bile/oxalates blog too https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/ox-bile-as-a-supplement-to-help-counter-the-effects-of-dietary-oxalates-very-likely-caused-by-bile-issues-and-poor-fat-digestion/ I am finding bile issues to be a huge factor with oxalate issues
Please do come back and share if ox bile and/or a light panel help (I was so surprised to see that bright light therapy helps itching associated with bile issues)
Trudy- can you pass on some more references for problems with Bile and sleep. I had my gall bladder removed 15 years ago after a horrible struggle with GERD. I’ve moved on to leaky gut, massive number of food Antibodies, methane SIBO, idiopathic hypersomnnia which includes minimal deep sleep and now additional idiopathic neuropathies. Conventional medicine of course has no answers. My sleep doc has me use blue
Light glasses which you can get on Amazon – first thing in the morning. Helps with being able to move around first half hour. Might help a little, but my sleep is so bad (idiopathic), I ‘ve had to resort to many more supplements than I can name.
I also have mycotoxin infection. I suspect my liver and gallbladder may have originally fallen victims to that. Just never have seen information on how bile and liver effect sleep. Would be good to know more. Thank you for your writings. I folliw you regularly.
Christine
Sorry to hear about your struggles. In situations like this I explore oxalate issues with clients – be sure to read my bile/oxalate blog and other oxalate blogs on the site (use the search)
Here is one of many papers – Circadian rhythms and bile acid homeostasis: a comprehensive review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32126853/
What are the light glasses you’re referring to and how do they help?
And getting rid of mycotoxins and addressing the source is imperative as I’m sure you know
May I ask which supplements you are using for sleep and which ones help and which ones haven’t helped? And are you using ox bile or something other approach to support bile production/quality?
Hellooo Trudy!
Thanks for another insightful article. I really want to try the light lamp but in the past, I’ve gotten weird headache like symptom from using red light therapy. I might give this a try and see if it’s different.
I have a q about the bile sleep connection. Fascinating! I’m curious your choice to add OxBile. I guess, for me, I would have thought about getting some sort of liver or gallbladder support to help produce more bile. I would love to hear your thought on this.
Thank you!
-Alex
Hi Trudy,
Please disregard my above message. I just read your other article about Ox Bile issues and that makes a lot of sense! 🙂
In the past, I have struggled with fat absorption. I don’t recall if I get nauseous after a high fat meal but I do definitely get really queasy at times and it ‘s a certain feeling of indigestion that can only be relieved by taking Alka-Seltzer. I never figured out what caused it, I thought maybe it’s eating while I’m thinking unpleasant thoughts eating under stress like between meetings.
I’ve recently taken some supplements for Spleen and Gallbladder and has helped me greatly with bowel movement and noticed the color is not yellowish or floating. Unfortunately, I had to discontinue it because I felt like it had some ingredients that I might be sensitive to. But, this gives me a clue that I might need some support for Spleen/GB. Now, with this new knowledge I’ll experiment with OxBile too and report back to you later.
Thanks!
-Alex
Alex
I was going to share a link to that article so I’m glad you found it – please keep us posted (link here for other blog readers https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/ox-bile-as-a-supplement-to-help-counter-the-effects-of-dietary-oxalates-very-likely-caused-by-bile-issues-and-poor-fat-digestion/)
And your question about red light (photobiomodulation) vs full spectrum/bright light – they are very different
Alex
Red light therapy is not the same as bright light therapy – please keep us posted how it goes.
I address your ox bile vs liver/gallbladder support in this blog https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/ox-bile-as-a-supplement-to-help-counter-the-effects-of-dietary-oxalates-very-likely-caused-by-bile-issues-and-poor-fat-digestion/
Thanks, Trudy!
I did buy a light lamp, not the brand you recommended. I haven’t used it consistently since it was Summer here in Boston. I’m wondering the efficacy of it. The more I read about it, it seems like the light has to hit your eyes at a certain angle. What do you think about this ? Do you think it’s effective for you as long as it’s close enough to your face?
Love to hear how you adjust the position of the lamp.
Thanks!
_Alex
Alex
Yes that is the case but I haven’t found it something to be too concerned about. It’s effective if the light is close enough and off to the side. I use mine in the morning when I check emails on my PC, off the right and slightly angled (45 degrees to my PC) and an arm’s distance away.
Hello,
I would like to try the Gaba and Tryptophan powders seen in the photo. I don’t see those in your Full Script store. What brand are they?
Jennifer
I live in Australia and purchased those powders locally. A good GABA powder option from Fullscript is NOW GABA powder. There is no tryptophan powder that I am aware of and I have clients use Lidtke 500mg tryptophan capsules opened if they do better with powder vs swallowed
Thank you! This blog post has given me hope that I can travel without sleep and anxiety issues!
Jennifer
Super – do keep us posted!
Hi Trudy just did a trip to Japan and took your advice with a few travel tips nasal spray, throat spray, arnica for jet lag, peppermint oil, magnesium on the flight and GABA and magnesium for sleep after the flight as well as a few supplements mainly B’s, they all worked well. But would like to know if you know what to do for swelling of the ankles on the way over to Japan the swelling minimal but flying from Japan to Cairns the from Cairns to Sydney they were really swollen and took a day or two to go down???
Karen
Karen
Great to hear all this worked well. A few years ago I started wearing compression socks every time I fly and it works like a charm. I also get up and walk every 2 hours and if I’m not sleeping I do seated leg exercises (calf and toe raises, tensing my thighs etc) and haven’t had any issues.
Thank you for your reply. Will invest in compression socks and walk every two hours and stretch the calfs and toes and tense my thighs.