Understanding Motion Sickness: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Relief Tips

Wheeeeeeeee—your head spins, your stomach flips, and suddenly that exciting road trip turns into a queasy nightmare. Sound familiar? Yep, that’s motion sickness kicking in. 

Whether you're stuck in the backseat of a car, sailing on a rocky boat, or simply watching fast-moving visuals, this odd and unsettling feeling can creep up out of nowhere. It doesn’t matter if you're a frequent flyer or a casual commuter—motion sickness doesn’t discriminate. One minute you're fine, the next minute you're sweating, dizzy, and trying not to hurl. 

So, what causes this chaotic cocktail of symptoms? And more importantly, how do you make it stop—or better yet, avoid it altogether? Well, you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down with simple science, practical tips, and even a few snack ideas (yep, food helps!). Buckle up—your journey to understanding motion sickness starts now.

Table Of Contents 

1. What Is Motion Sickness?
2. Why Do People Get Motion Sickness? Causes of Motion Sickness
3. How Can I Reduce Motion Sickness? 6 Tips 
4. Foods That Help Reduce Motion Sickness
5. Dietitian’s Recommendation
6. The Final Say 
7. FAQs
8. References 
    

What Is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness, also referred to as travel sickness, is a common gut problem experienced by many individuals during movement, especially when travelling by car, plane, train, or boat. It occurs due to a disconnect between what your eyes see and what your inner ears sense. The brain relies on input from the eyes, inner ear (vestibular system), skin, and muscles to perceive motion and maintain balance. When these inputs conflict, the brain struggles to make sense of the movement, leading to motion sickness. This sensory mismatch is what confuses the brain and results in a range of unpleasant symptoms. While often temporary, motion sickness can significantly disrupt travel plans and impact quality of life, especially for those more sensitive to motion stimuli.

People suffering from motion sickness often experience not just nausea but also signs of poor digestion symptoms, as the nervous system's confusion extends to digestive functions. It is particularly common in children, pregnant women, and individuals with migraines or hormonal imbalances. 

Symptoms of Motion Sickness

The symptoms of motion sickness can vary in intensity and combination from person to person, but typically include:

• Nausea: A queasy feeling in the stomach, often the first and most persistent symptom.
• Vomiting: A result of severe nausea, where the stomach expels its contents.
• Cold Sweats: Excessive perspiration despite a normal temperature, signalling discomfort.
• Dizziness or Vertigo: A sensation of spinning or losing balance.
• Headache: Tension-type headaches can develop due to the physical stress of nausea.
• Increased Salivation: A common precursor to vomiting, as the body prepares to neutralise stomach acid.
• Fatigue: The body’s response to prolonged discomfort and stress.
• Irritability: Emotional changes resulting from physical unease.
• Rapid Breathing (Hyperventilation): Often a reaction to nausea and anxiety.
   

Also Read: Beware! 7 Critical Silent Asthma Attack Symptoms You Need to Recognise Now 

Why Do People Get Motion Sickness? Causes Of Motion Sickness

The root causes of motion sickness are complex and involve several systems of the body. Here are the most prominent contributors:

1. Sensory Conflict

The primary cause of motion sickness is sensory mismatch. Your eyes may tell your brain that you are stationary (e.g., when reading a book in a moving car), while your inner ears detect motion. This contradiction between visual and vestibular input sends mixed signals to the brain, which then interprets this conflict as a potential toxin, triggering nausea as a defensive mechanism. This reaction is believed to be a primitive evolutionary response.

2. Vestibular System Sensitivity

The inner ear, specifically the semicircular canals and otolith organs, is responsible for detecting motion and orientation. People with an overly sensitive vestibular system are more prone to motion sickness. Sudden, jerky movements or continuous rotation confuse this system, leading to overstimulation and discomfort. Such sensitivity can also be seen in individuals who suffer from migraines or vertigo.

3. Visual Disorientation

When the environment around you moves unexpectedly, such as waves rocking a boat, your eyes may fail to provide a stable reference point. This disorientation increases the likelihood of experiencing motion sickness. The brain relies heavily on visual stability to interpret motion correctly, and when the horizon or surrounding objects shift erratically, confusion sets in quickly.

4. Gastrointestinal Imbalance

Digestive health also plays a role in motion sickness. Gut-brain communication is a critical part of balance and nausea regulation, and when digestive health is compromised, the susceptibility to motion sickness increases.

5. Hormonal & Neurological Factors

Hormonal changes, such as those occurring during pregnancy or menstruation, can increase vulnerability to motion sickness. The hormone progesterone slows gastric emptying, which can heighten nausea. Additionally, people with certain neurological conditions may experience altered vestibular processing, further increasing the risk.

6. Use Of Certain Medications & Supplements

Some individuals experience motion sickness as a side effect of weight loss pills or other medications affecting the central nervous system. These can interfere with neurotransmitters responsible for balance and nausea regulation. It’s important to review side effects if you're regularly taking such supplements.

ToneOp Care's Turmeric, Ginger & Garlic Oil Capsules combine nature’s powerful trio to help reduce nausea and discomfort from motion sickness while boosting immunity and easing inflammation. Enjoy natural relief for digestion, joint pain, and overall wellness with 500 mg of potent support in every capsule.

Also Read: Constant Stomach Problems? Here Are the 10 Most-Overlooked Causes of Food Indigestion That Could Lead to Long-Term Gut Issues! 

How Can I Reduce Motion Sickness? 6 Tips 

Preventing or reducing motion sickness involves strategies to harmonise the sensory inputs the brain receives. Below are scientifically backed tips:

1. Choose The Right Seat

Selecting your seat carefully can significantly lessen the severity of motion sickness. In a car, sit in the front where motion is less noticeable. On a plane, choose a seat over the wings, which is the most stable part of the aircraft. On a boat, the centre or mid-ship area experiences the least rocking. Reduced motion helps align the signals your body receives, minimising confusion.

2. Face Forward

Always sit facing the direction of travel. This ensures that what your eyes see aligns more closely with what your inner ears sense. Facing backwards or sideways often worsens motion sickness, especially when the brain struggles to track external movement logically.

3. Fix Your Gaze

Looking at a fixed point, such as the horizon or a distant building, provides your brain with a stable visual reference. This helps to counteract the conflicting signals from your inner ear, reducing the chances of nausea. Avoid focusing on fast-moving or nearby objects.

4. Avoid Screens & Reading

Reading or using a mobile phone in a moving vehicle creates a visual stationary input, which contradicts the motion detected by your inner ears. This is a major trigger for motion sickness. Instead, look outside or close your eyes to reduce the visual conflict.

5. Get Fresh Air

Proper ventilation and fresh air can help regulate your breathing and reduce feelings of nausea. The scent of cool, fresh air is calming and reduces the discomfort of queasiness. If possible, open a window, use a fan, or take brief stops for fresh air intake.

6. Eat Light

Avoid heavy, greasy meals and alcohol before travel. These can slow digestion and increase your chances of getting motion sickness. Stick to light, bland meals that are easier to digest. 

Also Read: Fungal Infection In the Stomach: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Methods 

Foods That Help Reduce Motion Sickness

Here are some juices for better digestion and travel-friendly foods that support digestive health and reduce motion sickness:

1. Banana

Why it helps: Bananas are high in potassium and magnesium and are easy on the stomach. They help replenish electrolytes lost due to vomiting or sweating and soothe the stomach lining.

How to use: Eat one ripe banana 30 minutes before travel to reduce the chance of bloating and motion-related nausea. Bananas are also helpful for those experiencing constipation or acidity.

2. Apple

Why it helps: Apples are rich in pectin and natural fibres, which support digestion and act as a mild anti-nausea agent.

How to use: Eat a fresh apple or drink apple juice before or during your journey. Apples can help ease stomach cramps and bloating.

3. Lemon

Why it helps: Can lemon reduce motion sickness? Lemon contains citric acid and has a naturally refreshing aroma that combats nausea. It also stimulates saliva production, which aids digestion.

How to use: Suck on a lemon wedge or sip lemon water with a pinch of salt. This combination helps detoxify the stomach and neutralise acidity, promoting calmness.

4. Crackers (Plain or Salted)

Why it helps: Crackers absorb excess stomach acid and are easy to digest, making them ideal during episodes of motion sickness.

How to use: Keep a pack of crackers handy and munch on them periodically during the trip to keep nausea at bay. This is especially useful for people with a common gut problem like acid reflux.

5. Peppermint

Why it helps: Peppermint relaxes the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and reduces spasms, making it effective against nausea and vomiting.

How to use: Sip on peppermint tea or suck on peppermint lozenges. Peppermint is a natural alternative to medications.

6. Curd (Yoghurt)

Why it helps: Curd is rich in probiotics, which improve gut flora, aid digestion, and balance stomach acidity.

How to use: Eat 2–3 tablespoons of plain, unsweetened curd an hour before travel. Avoid flavoured or chilled curd, which might aggravate symptoms.

7. Coconut Milk

Why it helps: Coconut milk contains lauric acid and electrolytes that soothe the digestive tract and reduce inflammation.

How to use: Add a small quantity to smoothies or drink it chilled before travelling. The benefits of coconut milk for the stomach include neutralising acid and hydrating the gut, reducing the severity of motion sickness.

8. Ginger Oil

Why it helps: Ginger is a well-known remedy for nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort. Ginger oil, in particular, has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties.

How to use: Add a few drops of edible-grade ginger oil to warm water and sip slowly before or during travel. The ginger oil benefits for the stomach include reducing spasms, nausea, and improving motility, which makes it perfect for managing motion sickness.

Dietitian’s Recommendation

As a dietitian, I recommend a gentle, digestion-friendly diet to manage motion sickness. Begin your day with light, low-fat meals like plain toast, bananas, or yoghurt to avoid stomach irritation. Sip on ginger or peppermint tea before travel, as both calm nausea naturally. Stay hydrated with small sips of water or lemon-infused water to maintain electrolyte balance. Avoid caffeine, greasy foods, and carbonated drinks, which can upset your stomach. Carry light snacks like dry crackers or nuts to keep your stomach settled during the journey.

Dt. Akshata Gandevikar

The Final Say 

Motion sickness may feel awful, but it's totally manageable once you know what’s going on. From syncing your senses to choosing stomach-friendly foods, every small action adds up. Remember—your body’s just confused, not broken. So next time you're hitting the road, sky, or sea, stay one step ahead. Eat smart, breathe deep, and trust your gut (literally). With a few mindful tweaks, you can turn “ugh, I feel sick” into “ahh, I’m good.” Safe (and smooth) travels!

FAQs

1. What drink helps with motion sickness?

Ginger tea is one of the best drinks for motion sickness. It contains natural compounds like gingerol that help calm the stomach and reduce nausea. Sipping warm ginger tea before and during travel can ease symptoms and improve digestion without causing drowsiness like some medications.

2. How do I get rid of sickness in 24 hours?

To recover quickly, rest well, stay hydrated with water or oral rehydration drinks, and eat light, easy-to-digest foods like bananas or rice. Ginger or peppermint tea can soothe nausea. If needed, take anti-nausea medicine. Avoid heavy meals, stress, and movement until you feel completely stable.

3.  Does motion sickness go away over time?

For many people, especially children, motion sickness improves or disappears with age. The brain adapts to motion over time. Frequent exposure to mild motion in controlled settings can also help reduce sensitivity.

References 

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12782-motion-sickness#:~:text=Motion%20sickness%20is%20a%20common,in%20cold%20sweat%20or%20headache.
• https://familydoctor.org/condition/motion-sickness/
• https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/motion-sickness-how-you-can-prevent-symptoms-and-enjoy-travel/2024/05
• https://www.medicinenet.com/motion_sickness_sea_sickness_car_sickness/article.html
• https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/1034
   

About ToneOp Care

ToneOp Care is the ultimate destination for high-quality nutraceutical supplements and Ayurvedic products in India! We are proud to offer a significant range of products designed to support your overall health and well-being, including weight loss, muscle gain, immunity, skin and hair care, and women's health. All our products are manufactured in India using the latest technology and facilities, ensuring the highest quality standards.