The MySQL server runs on eastern standard time (-5 GMT). If you need a different time you can use DATE_SUB and DATE_ADD to add or remove time as needed to get the time zone you need.
So for example to get the current time you would normally use:
SELECT NOW();
That will return the time in EST (-5 GMT).
To add three hours use:
SELECT DATE_ADD(NOW(), INTERVAL 3 HOUR);
To subtract one hour use:
SELECT DATE_SUB(NOW(), INTERVAL 1 HOUR);
