New 'smart' sleep mask promises to banish jet lag

Travelling can take its toll on your body by disrupting your sleep patterns and your body clock to make you feel tired and irritated, Daily Mail reports.

But a smart new face mask from a Polish-American tech start-up Inteliclinic is promising to help you sleep better, beat the effects of jet lag and even get energised with the help of light therapy.

The Neuroon mask is designed to take measurements from your body including brain waves, eye movements and body temperature to create a 'treatment plan' that's designed just for you.

The intelligent mask has been available for pre-order since 2014, when its inventors at Inteliclinic launched a Kickstarter campaign for it and managed to raise four times the pledge goal.

However, after more than two years, the final version of the product has finally been unveiled this month.

The mask has six different functions, which can be controlled through an app on your phone, but it will set you back $299 (£205), excluding postage.

Jet-lag blocker

For travellers, the most useful function will be the jet-lag blocker.

Users should input their destination into the app about a week before they travel.

The app will then create a personalised adjustment program based on the measurements taken while the user is sleeping, including sleeping patterns, temperature and pulse.

Users must then wear the mask as they sleep, during which time a series of light flashes will help manipulate the sleep hormone melatonin in the body and reprogram the circadian rhythm, or your body clock.

This function is based on recent research from Stanford University, which revealed that flashing lights could be used to trick your body into believing that it's in a different time zone.

Light therapy

MailOnline reported in February that tests conducted as part of the study showed that the body clock could be adjusted by two hours per day as a result of light therapy.

Alongside control of the light therapy treatment, the app also suggests ways to beat jet lag.

The intelligent mask could also be used outside travel.

The light boost function will help reduce drowsiness and even fend off seasonal affective disorder, according to the company.

Sleep patterns

Its sleep analytics data is used to help the app determine the best course of treatment for you but can also offer an insight into your sleep patterns.

Those who work irregular hours will want to turn to the biorhythm adjuster, which is said to help you moderate your body clock.

This function will also help counter the effects of using computers late into the night, which could disrupt your sleep patterns.

If you need a nap, the personal pause feature will recommend the best time to get some shut eye - and you can also use the light boost function at the same time.

Finally, the sunrise function will wake you up 'naturally' by simulating sunlight.

Read more here.

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