Can hormone pills cure your jet lag? new study tests hydrocortisone and melatonin
NCT ID NCT00097474
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 25, 2026 · Updated 14 times
Summary
This study tested whether taking hydrocortisone (a cortisol-like hormone), melatonin, or both could reduce jet lag symptoms after long eastward flights. Fifty-seven healthy adults aged 18-65 who flew across 6-8 time zones took the pills for 4 days after arrival and reported their symptoms. The goal was to see if these hormones help reset the body's internal clock and ease jet lag.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Hydrocortisone and Melatonin
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, short-term treatment to reduce jet lag symptoms after long flights.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed Phase 2 trial with only 57 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The effects may be modest or no better than placebo.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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57 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2004
- Finished
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Nov 2007
- Lead sponsor
-
A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: * Age greater than or equal to 18, but less than or equal to 65, male or female. * Normal physical exam and laboratory results. * Negative urinary pregnancy test 1 week prior to travel (pre-menopausal women). * Planned eastward flight crossing 6-8 time zones between 30n and 50n latitudes. * A minimum stay of 7 - 10 days abroad. * Willingness and anticipated ability to comply with study procedures, including sleep and wake hours, saliva collection and questionnaire completion. * Written informed consent. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * BMI less than or equal to 20 or greater than or equal to 30 kg/m. * Current psychiatric or seizure disorder. * Current sleep disorder as assessed by presence of sleep apnea, daytime napping of more than 20 minutes, chronic fatigue. * History of Cushing's syndrome. * Serious chronic medical condition. * Current drug or alcohol abuse. * SGOT or SGPT greater than three-fold normal. * Current pregnancy or lactation. * Current use of CPAP. * Chronic use of beta-blockers (which inhibit melatonin secretion), anti-epileptic agents, anticoagulants, fluvoxamine, nifedipine or soporific or sleep-inducing agents (including benzodiazepines, melatonin), or glucocorticoids. * Fasting blood glucose greater than 110 mg/dL or known diabetes.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.