After much experimentation in the field, I have found that a bit of exercise after the flight plus a hot shower and a few beers with your mates works wonders.
I wouldn't normally recommend alcohol but in moderation, i.e. 1-2 pints, I find I get a better night's sleep. Maybe it's part of a 'winding down' process and allows me to drift off having put the days' events behind me. I could give it up anytime, honest!
I see people around me using various sorts of medication, including things like Melatonin. I feel that the long term effects of a lot of these substances are not fully understood, even the 'over the counter' versions. Some the the drugs that are freely available from chemists and are in widespread use in our society, are very potent indeed. Comparable in toxicity and dependence to things like Heroin, Benzedrine, etc.
I'd rather stick to socialising, getting my body tired as well as my brain and enjoy one of the substances that has been extensively trialled over the last 5,000 years or so and that we know all the problems and side effects of. Anyway, I like beer.
