What is the Origin of Social Jet Lag?

The term was coined in chronobiology to describe the pervasive discrepancy between biological time and social time in modern industrialized societies. It is a derivative of the clinical concept of jet lag, where external time zones disrupt the internal clock, but in this case, the disruption is self-imposed by social habits. Understanding this lag is crucial for addressing lifestyle-driven hormonal and metabolic disorders.

What is the Mechanism of Social Jet Lag?

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) attempts to synchronize the body's rhythms, including the release of melatonin and cortisol, with the light-dark cycle. When an individual's wake-sleep schedule drastically shifts on non-work days, the SCN receives conflicting light and activity cues, causing a phase delay or advance in the biological clock. This desynchronization disrupts the timing of hormone release, such as the Cortisol Diurnal Variation, leading to impaired glucose tolerance and systemic endocrine stress.

Social Jet Lag

Meaning

Social Jet Lag is the chronic misalignment between an individual’s internal biological clock, or circadian rhythm, and their social or work schedule, typically resulting from inconsistent sleep and wake times between weekdays and weekends. This discrepancy forces the body to constantly adjust its internal timing, leading to a chronic state of circadian disruption that significantly impairs metabolic and hormonal regulation. This is a recognized factor contributing to poor sleep quality, increased cardiometabolic risk, and endocrine imbalance.