Tech to Know: Timeshifter

Whether you’re airborne for work or for pleasure, jetting over multiple time zones can wreak havoc on your health, especially for frequent travelers. Over the years there’ve been plenty of anti-jet lag fads and products, few of which worked, some of which were outright silly. How many times, despite all your efforts, have you arrived at a destination suffering from an undeniable state of mental fog?

Timeshifter co-founder and CEO  Mickey Beyer-Clausen grew up traveling the world with his mother, a flight attendant for Scandinavian Airlines. It’s no wonder that years later the tech entrepreneur has teamed up with eminent scientists to create an app that addresses the central dilemma of jet travel — the interruption of the circadian rhythm, which is a person’s pattern of sleeping and waking over 24 hours.

Fatigue, mood shifts and an inability to concentrate are the most obvious jet lag symptoms, along with insomnia. But these issues aren’t just the unfortunate consequences of flying that we must be resigned to or should simply shrug off. Interruptions to the circadian rhythm can affect even the healthiest body and, more importantly, according to recent studies, the immune system.

The timing of exposure to light and darkness is crucial in avoiding jet lag. Within the brain, cells in the hypothalamus set your circadian clock according to information on light and darkness sent from the eyes. There’s also a possible genetic connection to your chronotype, which is your personal circadian rhythm — are you an early morning go-getter, or someone who’s more productive into the night hours? There is no one-fits-all solution.

“Properly timed light exposure must be at the foundation of any jet lag solution, and it must be personalized to each passenger because of the impact of departure and arrival timing, biological differences and personal preferences,” says Beyer-Clausen. “No generic solution will ever work — scientific studies have made that completely clear. We’re thrilled to finally put an end to all the jet lag myths and misinformation out there, and instead offer an effective tool that truly addresses the underlying cause of jet lag.”

Photo credit: Courtesy of Timeshifter

First launched in 2018, the Timeshifter app provides individualized advice that outlines steps to take before, during and after flights. The technology borrows from NASA techniques for adjusting astronauts to the ultimate interruption in circadian rhythm: space flight. But you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to use the app; its recommendations are easily understood and followed.

What should you do in order to arrive at your destination alert, feeling good and, crucially, healthy? When should you be in bright light, when in darkness? When should you sleep, when to drink or avoid caffeine? Should you take melatonin, and if so, when and how much?

Timeshifter’s algorithm takes into consideration your chronotype and your itinerary to determine the best steps to carry you through a flight with minimal disruption to your health. And have no fear, should your schedule suddenly change, Timeshifter can quickly adjust your program to your new needs.

The app is so effective at its job that the company has partnered with a number of high-power firms, including United Airlines, Six Senses, Amadeus and SAP. After all, no one wants their clients or employees to arrive too discombobulated to function in a meeting or to enjoy the first day of a long-anticipated vacation.

Learn more about Timeshifter at timeshifter.com and find the app in the App Store and on Google Play.

Originally appeared in the summer 2021 issue of The Compass Magazine.