My Personal Journey with Jet Lag—and Brainwave Soundscapes

I once read a quote by the great writer Gabriel García Márquez that went something like this: “The soul travels slower than airplanes; that’s why it takes a few days to catch up with the body.” I’ve never found a more poetic definition of jet lag—and it couldn’t be more true.

That was exactly my experience for many years.

I started flying transoceanic routes at a young age, and I always struggled with two things: a fear of flying (which I eventually overcame), and a terrible, persistent jet lag that I simply couldn’t shake—until about 15 years ago.

At that time, I was already composing soundscapes and working on sound design for films and video-art when I came across several fascinating university studies on brainwaves and the frequency-following response (FFR). I began composing and experimenting with specific audio frequencies, especially those related to sleep and deep relaxation.

I decided to use myself as the first test subject. To my surprise, the brainwave soundscapes started working. I refined them over time, making them more effective, and began sharing them with friends and colleagues who also suffered from jet lag. Most of them were thrilled—and many still use these soundtracks not just to reduce jet lag, but also to wind down mentally or fall asleep faster.

Encouraged by the results, I took things a step further. I began collaborating with the Sleep Disorders Department at Pracharak Hospital in Bangkok, where we conducted EEG tests with volunteers. Time after time, I witnessed how their brainwave frequencies gradually synced with the audio frequencies they were hearing through headphones. On more than one occasion, we even heard deep snoring coming from the test room!

That’s when I knew these soundscapes were hitting the right frequencies. Of course, I must emphasize that every person is different. Just like with medication, responses to brainwave audio can vary—some people may respond almost immediately, others more gradually.

It’s all about adjusting the dose and the environment—ideally a quiet, non-invasive space with dim lighting.

Today, I’ve decided to share this work with a broader audience. Jet lag affects millions of travelers each year, and it would bring me real satisfaction to know that others can start enjoying their trips—just like I do now—from day one.

Marcelo von Schwartz, Architect, Filmmaker, Sound Architect