Researchers have found a new drug, which could ease jet lag and reset the body's natural sleep rhythms. According to Shantha Rajaratnam from Monash University's School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, the drug testimelteon works on melatonin receptor in the brain and helped troubled sleepers nod off quicker and stay asleep for longer.  

Rajaratnam said, “Our studies show that tasimelteon is able to effectively shift the rhythm of melatonin levels in the body, which are a well-established marker of the human biological clock.” She added, “This drug has the potential to improve the quality and quantity of sleep for patients with transient insomnia caused by jet lag.”

Some experts said that the new drug would also be a welcome alternative to addictive sedatives like benzodiazepines. Dr Daniel Cardinali from the University of Buenos Aires, commenting on the work and said the new findings would be welcomed by millions of people such as “shift-workers, airline crew, tourists, football teams, and many others.”  

According to a Monash University press release, Tasimelteon improved a patient's ability to fall asleep and then stay asleep when bedtime was shifted earlier by five hours. The research was published in the Lancet, suggests that the drug is in the later stages of trial and must undergo stern testing before being made available to consumers.