Alcohol induces sleep but the sleep is markedly distorted with little REM sleep, which is already diminished during daytime sleep. One pharmacological agent which holds promise is melatonin. This is a hormone secreted nightly by the pineal gland in response to darkness. Melatonin is a sedative but more importantly has been shown to hasten resetting of circadian rhythms. Several studies of jet lag have shown significant improvement with melatonin.
Studies are currently underway on the use of melatonin for shift workers.
Bright light of greater than 3,000 lux can also hasten resetting of circadian rhythms. 7 Bright lights during the nights will increase alertness on the night shift and rapidly convert circadian rhythms. Exercise is a useful strategy to adapt to shift work. It has been shown to increase circadian adaptation also. Aerobic exercise immediately after awakening, no matter which shift one is working, is most effective.