Motion Sickness Glasses and Other Remedies | Do They Work?

Key Takeaways

• Avoid heavy meals, stay hydrated, prioritize sleep, and manage travel anxiety to minimize motion sickness triggers.

• Use ginger in different forms like tea, candies, or capsules for its anti-nausea properties.

• Try non-drowsy antihistamines after consulting your doctor, especially if natural remedies don't do the trick.

• Focus on activities like reading, listening to music, or conversation to take your mind off the motion.

Do Remedies Like Motion Sickness Glasses Work?

Motion sickness - that dreaded feeling of nausea, dizziness, and cold sweats you may be all too familiar with. Whether you're prone to seasickness on a cruise, car sickness on a road trip, or airsickness during turbulence, motion sickness can turn any fun day into a miserable one.

If you know the feeling of motion sickness, you're not alone. Between 25-60% of passengers on cruise ships experience motion sickness, while one in three people experience it through other means of transportation.

If chewing minty gum or drinking lots of water isn't helping, there are other motion sickness remedies you can try to help keep your stomach settled and enjoy the journey. From motion sickness glasses to ginger tea, check out these remedies.

Symptoms of Motion Sickness

While motion sickness is bound to come with nausea, there are other symptoms that can make you feel miserable.

Here are some symptoms of motion sickness you might experience:

• Nausea and/or vomitting

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Sweating and/or cold sweats

• Headache

• Excessive salivating

• Irritability

• Rapid breathing

How to Help Motion Sickness

While there is no actual cure to get rid of motion sickness for good, there are tricks you can try when or even before you're feeling the symptoms.

1. Ginger

A flavorful spice like ginger or ginger root has been used popularly in Asian cuisine and other dishes, but did you know it has other useful purposes?

Ginger is a natural remedy with anti-nausea properties and has been a trusted cure for motion sickness for centuries. Studies even suggest that ginger can be just as effective as some anti-nausea medications.

You can eat, drink, or take ginger in whichever way you choose. Some options include ginger tea, ginger candies, ginger essential oil, or ginger capsules.

2. Motion Sickness Patch (Scopolamine Patch)

While you may typically think of pills when it comes to medication, it can also come in the form of a patch. A scopolamine patch is a skin patch that helps to prevent nausea and vomitting caused by anesthesia, surgery, and motion sickness.

It's important to know that some factors could interact with this patch including alcohol, allergy or cold medicine, local anesthetics, and more.

If you decide to try this patch, look out for these scopolamine patch side effects and consult your doctor:

• allergic reactions or skin irritation

• changes in vision or eye pain

• confusion, dizziness, or hallucinations

• irregualr heartbeat

• pain while urinating

• nausea, vomitting, or stomach pain

• restlessness

• seizures

You might also experience less serious scopolamine patch side effects such as:

• dry mouth

• drowsiness

• headache

• sore throat

3. Motion Sickness Pills (Dramamine)

One of the more well-known motion sickness remedies are over-the-counter antihistamine medications.

Antihistamines like Dramamine can be effective in preventing motion sickness by blocking the histamine 1 (H1) receptor found in the brain and giving your body a sense of balance.

While dramamine can be effective at helping your symptoms, it can also make you drowsy. You can opt for the non-drowsy dramamine, but studies suggest they are not as effective.

However, consult your doctor before taking any medication, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or concerns.

4. Motion Sickness Bands (Acupressure)

A increasingly popular motion sickness remedy is the Acuband, or motion sickness bands. The Acuband uses acupressure to help relieve motion sickness symptoms. Studies show that people experienced less motion sickness on days they wore the band versus on days they didn't.

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique and can help alleviate nausea. The P6 point, located on the inner wrist about three finger-widths from the base of your palm, is a pressure point often used for this purpose.

Apply firm pressure to this point with your thumb and index finger for several minutes or wear acupressure wristbands that target this point.

5. Motion Sickness Glasses

Motion sickness glasses, Boarding Glasses and Seetroën, have been taking over TikTok and other social media platforms for their goofy, yet seemingly effective look. These glasses typically have a liquid-filled or tinted lens design.

The theory is that the liquid creates a fixed horizon within your vision, aligning what your eyes see with the inner ear's signals and reducing the conflicting sensory information and stress response that triggers motion sickness. So, when the car, boat, or rollercoaster moves, so does the liquid.

While some people report success with motion sickness glasses, particularly for milder cases, there's a lack of scientific evidence to definitively confirm their effectiveness.

Goodbye Motion Sickness

Some people find relief with unconventional remedies like peppermint tea, sour candies, or even wearing acupressure patches behind the ear. While anecdotal evidence exists, further research is needed to confirm their efficacy.

Remember, everyone responds differently to motion sickness. You can experiment with these remedies and find the combination that works best for you. With a little preparation and the right tools, you can conquer motion sickness and enjoy a smooth, nausea-free journey.