Why Do We Get Motion Sickness?

Have you ever felt dizzy, nauseous, or uncomfortable while traveling in a car, on a boat, or during a flight? This unpleasant feeling is known as motion sickness, and it happens when your brain receives conflicting signals from your senses.

Your brain relies on information from your eyes, inner ears, and muscles to understand how your body is moving. Normally, these signals work together. However, during travel, they may send different messages. For example, if you are reading a book in a moving car, your eyes focus on the stationary pages while your inner ears detect the vehicle’s movement. This mismatch confuses the brain and can trigger motion sickness.

Common symptoms include nausea, dizziness, cold sweats, pale skin, headache, excessive saliva, and sometimes vomiting. Symptoms may begin suddenly and can range from mild discomfort to severe nausea, depending on the individual and the type of travel.

Anyone can experience motion sickness, but it is more common in children, pregnant women, and people who are prone to migraines. Long journeys, rough seas, winding roads, or turbulence during flights can also increase the likelihood of symptoms.

Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the risk of motion sickness. Looking toward the horizon instead of reading or using a phone can help your eyes and inner ears receive similar information. Choosing a seat where movement is less noticeable, such as over an airplane’s wings or near the center of a boat, may also help. Staying hydrated, eating light meals before traveling, and getting fresh air whenever possible can further reduce symptoms.

If motion sickness occurs frequently or severely, a healthcare professional may recommend medications or other preventive measures before travel.

Although motion sickness can be unpleasant, it is generally harmless and temporary. Understanding why it happens can help you prepare for your next journey and travel more comfortably.