Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: chris on 05/04/2017 21:06:11

Title: Why do some people suffer motion sickness?
Post by: chris on 05/04/2017 21:06:11

Listener Jordan sent me this question today:

Hello Chris,
Here is a question for the panel,or you, you are all experts. Why do some people get motion sick and some do not. I am legally blind and I have ataxia and I love motion. Boats cars and roller coasters, I love motion; why?

Jordan

What do you think?

Title: Re: Why do some people suffer motion sickness?
Post by: Kryptid on 06/04/2017 21:16:01

One explanation I've heard is that certain toxic substances can cause perception alterations or feelings of being off-balance. Since being dizzy mimics this effect (by causing what you see to mismatch what you feel), your body interprets this as a sign that you have been poisoned and tries to remove the poison from your system by vomiting. I don't know how well supported this hypothesis is, however.