Although it’s FDA-approved only for narcolepsy, that hasn’t stopped sleep-starved consumers from ingesting it to offset sleepiness. (An FDA letter to the drug’s maker earlier this year re-iterated the agency’s position that it’s "not approved to treat such symptoms as sleepiness, tiredness, decreased activity, lack of energy and fatigue.")

Although it’s proven to be non-addictive in tests to date, its long-term safety remains a question mark. Users say it doesn’t deliver the jolt and jitters of traditional stimulants and amphetamines. Side effects include headaches and nausea but some researchers feel those are less problematic than those of caffeine.

The Washington Post’s Shankar Vedantam details the ongoing research, the drug’s wide appeal, and the controversy surrounding its use as a sleep replacement.

Vedantam quotes Harvard Medical School neurologist Thomas Scammell who rightly questions the propriety of substituting a drug for much-needed sleep: "…To take a drug and try to counter this natural necessity of sleep is to defy nature. It's like if I can give you a pill to take away your appetite -- does it mean it's okay not to eat?"

Travel Amenities:  JetBlue’s new at-seat Yoga posture cards illustrate four postures you can easily do in your seat to unwind and relax. ... Hotel Sofitel Los Angeles’ "Get Fit Now" package ($249 plus tax) pairs you with a personal trainer to the stars (Nancy Kennedy and Bobby Strom or their staff who have shaped up celebs such as Julia Roberts and Lara Flynn Boyle) for one-on-one custom exercise and nutrition sessions at the hotel’s Club Sofitel fitness center. In addition to the hotel’s posh in-room amenities and a healthy breakfast, the one-night package includes: bottled water, handouts with healthy recipes and hotel room fitness tips, use of the fitness club, an exercise band, and a pedometer.

HEALTHY REMINDER:  Scheduling necessary medical checkups and tests is particularly onerous for those on the road. If you add in the "ick" factor (for tests you know you need annually but would love to forget), it’s certain that many travelers are bypassing the recommended screenings. To the rescue from excuses and oversights comes MyHealthTestReminder.com from the College of American Pathologists. Log on and sign up to get e-mail reminders for mammograms, colon cancer screenings, Pap tests, and to give blood.

HEALTH ALERTS & STATS:  A reason to change seats—or stop talking? Japanese scientists have found that cell phone usage within a train car can create sufficient electromagnetic radiation to pose a risk to other riders. With no place to escape, the radiation emitted from the phones bounces off the walls and onto…the passengers. According to the study, if one passenger in five uses a phone, the radiation levels will exceed recommended limits.

Thinking of donating blood? Your high-flying status could mean you can no longer donate. If you’re an international traveler or someone who has spent a lot of time in Europe, you should check the new restrictions for blood donations to see if they apply to you. If you’ve lived in France for five or more years since 1980 or have spent three or more months in the UK from 1980 to 1996, you can no longer give blood.

The FDA ordered the new restrictions as an "extra precaution" aimed at reducing the possible risk of transmitting the human form of mad cow disease via transfusions. You can check eligibility requirements and other restrictions relating to travelers (You’ll need to wait 12 months before donating if you’ve traveled to an area with a risk of malaria, and longer if you’re immigrating from a country with malaria, for example.) at the Red Cross site.

As If You Needed Confirmation…According to Occupational & Environmental Medicine, the spouses of those who travel frequently for work are more prone to feeling anxious. ... A University of Washington study found that some 81% of commercial air travelers (who flew in January or February 2002) find flying stressful—an increase of 20% since September 11. Post 9/11, personal safety and security topped the list of concerns (comfort and convenience headed the list in an earlier pre-9/11 study). The most stressful scenarios? Not the fear of terrorists, but, unsurprisingly, having to arrive early and wait in lines and inconveniences related to security. The upside? Flyers are less annoyed and concerned about delayed and late flights. Oh really?

Learn CPR: The number of folks traveling in the air and on the ground increases in the summer—as does the potential for emergency situations requiring CPR. You never know when your knowledge can make a life-saving difference.

And while you’re at it, check out a class that demonstrates how to use the Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) that are now being found at more and more public venues and events.

Want to see how much you really know about emergency CPR? Take the Red Cross’ online quiz (scroll down on the linked page). You may be (unpleasantly) surprised at how you do. Contact your local Red Cross for class details, including workplace instructions.

FITNESS RAVES AND FAVES: How am I doing? If knowing how many calories you’re burning helps you commit to exercising, consider Tanita’s HealthyJump. The battery-operated, adjustable 10-foot "smart" jump rope counts calories as well as the number of jumps (up to 9,999!). QuickMedical, 888 345-4858, 425 831-5963.  Aside from the fun factor, jumping rope burns fat and is a great cardio workout you can do anywhere.

Circling for Fun: "Want to have some fun and work your triceps, pecs, and upper body? Throw on these Trisometric Rings (pictured left) from gaiam.com. Slide them on, keep your arms out and straight, and twirl. You can work various muscles by altering the hand positions. At a pound each (diameter is 12 inches), these foam and metal circles are a packable addition to your road-fitness workout. $35 plus S&H; 877-989-6321

Get More From Your Workout: Whether you work out alone or with a trainer, in your hotel room or a gym, you can maximize your exercise routine with Solotrainer’s Fitness Training Cards.

The 50 plastic, illustrated index-size cards offer detailed instructions for exercises that are color coded by muscle group. You can choose from four pre-programmed routines and there are separate programs for men and women and three fitness levels. Ten cards detail home and travel workouts you can do with common objects. More info: 516- 433-0737

Take a Hike! If you like walking or jogging along scenic routes, you can find a public path courtesy of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s trail/path locator at TrailLink.com. You can search for local trails by area or activity. The results include details on location, activities, and distance as well as info on wheelchair accessibility.

According to the site, "Rail-trails are multi-purpose, public paths that encourage outdoor recreation and promote fitness... and serve as historic and wildlife conservation corridors, linking isolated parks and creating greenways through developed areas."

Want to quickly stop a minor cut from bleeding? Sprinkle ground black pepper —it won’t sting or burn and it’s got antibacterial and antiseptic properties to aid healing. Clean the cut/nick first under running water (Add soap if you’ve handled meat or unwashed veggies.), apply the black pepper, and use a clean finger to put pressure on the cut.

The June issue of Self magazine features an excerpt ("The Plane Truth About Airline Food") from flight attendant Rene Foss’ book, Around the World in a Bad Mood: Confessions of a Flight Attendant that includes her response to the constant criticism she hears about airline food—or its absence: "Airlines are in the transportation business, not the restaurant business." Would we expect any less from an airline employee?

The article, which focuses on her complaints about flyers and tips on how to be a better passenger (that is, less of an annoyance to the busy Foss) offers little in the way of nutritional advice ("I try to bring my own meal or eat before I arrive rather than have the plane food."). However, she does close with a warning/reminder that "…flight attendants, just like waiters, are the last ones to touch your food before you consume it." That should help you rethink your in-flight interpersonal skills if you plan to chow down on a flight. And we thought the worst form of retaliation was withholding our special meals!

FYI: Self beefed up the piece with tips on how to modify a typical airline meal and a listing of healthy choices from airport restaurants. Its picks? Au Bon Pain’s Thai Chicken Sandwich; Burger King’s Veggie Burger; Sbarro’s Veggie Slice pizza; and Taco Bell Express’ Chicken or Steak Fiesta Burrito.

THE IN-ROOM CHEF: Meat-Free Heat-and-Serve BBQ If you’ve sworn off meat, barbecue season can be a tempting reminder of your former favorites. Craving those barbecued ribs you used to devour? Opt for Gardenburger’s microwavable Meatless Riblets.  They look, smell, and taste like their meaty counterparts (and it’s not just because of the tangy barbecue sauce they’re packed in). (Serving: 210 calories, 5g fat, 0 cholesterol, 720mg sodium, 4g fiber). My only "beefs": the high-sodium content and the difficult-to-open plastic packets in which they’re packaged. If even faux meat can’t tempt you, choose soy-based Flame Grilled Chik'n Grill. With real grill marks and taste, it’s a palate-pleasing faux-chicken choice.

Organic Veggies to Go Even with all the vegetarian restaurants and health-food stores that seem to be everywhere these days, it’s not always easy to find fresh organic fruits and vegetables on the road (unless you’re lucky enough to be close to a local farmers’ market). When you’re location-challenged, head online and order up fresh, pesticide-free, organic produce and healthy edibles from Diamond Organics. They’ll overnite your order to any U.S. address (except P.O. boxes); 888-674-2642; E-mail: info@diamondorganics.com.

Totable, Tasty Tuna: Still toting those mini cans of tuna? Fugghedaboutit! StarKist and Bumble Bee offer up water-packed tuna in easy-open, no-drain,  vacuum-sealed single-serving eat-and-toss pouches (no refrigeration required before eating). If only someone would package our favorite mix-ins: chopped onions and capers. Toss a few of these and some crackers into your carry-on luggage and you'll never find yourself famished on the fly. ◄