After watching countless travel videos showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Pai, Thailand—its serene waterfall, soothing hot spring, and charming cafes—you’re eager to experience it all for yourself. But there’s one challenge standing in the way: the famously winding road to Pai, notorious for causing motion sickness. So, how to prevent motion sickness while traveling and make the journey as enjoyable as the destination?
What Causes Motion Sickness During Travel?
Motion sickness occurs when your brain gets mixed signals from your senses about movement(1).
Imagine this: you’re traveling in a car, boat, or plane. Your inner ear, which helps detect motion and balance, senses movement(1). However, if your eyes are focused on something stationary, like a book or a phone, they tell your brain that you’re not moving. This mismatch in sensory information confuses your brain, triggering symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and sweating(1).
Children from 2 years to 12 years seem to have a higher chance of motion sickness, where as those younger than 2 years or older than 50 years seem to have a lower chance(2).
How Long Does Motion Sickness Last?
Most symptoms of motion sickness usually resolve within 72 hours after the cause of motion sickness is gone(2).
How to Prevent Motion Sickness While Traveling?
If you’re prone to motion sickness, these strategies can help to prevent motion sickness while traveling(1):
- Choose Your Seat Wisely
Opt for seats with the least motion to minimize sensory conflict:- Car/Bus: Sit in the front seat.
- Plane: Choose a seat over the wings.
- Train: Pick a forward-facing window seat.
- Boat: Stay in the middle, where movement is less pronounced.
- Face Forward
Always sit facing the direction of travel to reduce sensory confusion. - Focus on the Horizon
Fix your gaze on a stable point, like the horizon, to help your brain align with the motion and maintain balance. - Limit Sensory Overload
- If possible, sleep or close your eyes to reduce conflicting signals.
- Lie down facing downward if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- Stay Cool and Fresh
- Open a window or use a fan to allow fresh air circulation.
- Fresh air can significantly reduce feelings of nausea.
- Avoid Common Triggers
- Skip heavy meals and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking before and during travel.
- Avoid activities like reading or looking at screens, as they can worsen symptoms.
- Try Natural Remedies
- Ginger: Ginger tea, capsules, or candies can help ease nausea.
- Peppermint: Use peppermint oil or mints for a soothing effect.
By implementing these tips, you can reduce the discomfort of motion sickness and focus on enjoying your journey. Remember prevention is more effective than treatment(2).
Medications That May Help Prevent and Treat Motion Sickness While Traveling
When motion sickness strikes, these options can help you find relief, ranging from natural remedies to prescription medications(2,3):
Over-the-Counter Medications
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine Original (US), Gravol (Canada))
- Widely used to prevent and relieve symptoms of motion sickness.
- Side Effects: May cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating machinery.
- Meclizine (Dramamine Less Drowsy, Bonine, Bonamine)(Available in US , not in Canada)
- Similar to Dramamine but may cause less drowsiness for some users.
- Best taken an hour before travel.
- Cyclizine (Available in US , not in Canada)
- Effective for nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness.
- May cause some drowsiness similar to meclizine
- Promethazine (non-prescription in Canada)
- known for its strong anti-nausea effects, but it can lead to significant drowsiness.
- Typically recommended for severe cases.
Prescription Medications
- Scopolamine Patches (available in US, no longer available in Canada)
- Worn behind the ear, these patches are effective for longer trips (up to 72 hours).
- Side Effects: Can include dry mouth, drowsiness, or blurred vision.
- Metoclopramide
- Helps manage nausea and vomiting.
- Commonly used when motion sickness causes persistent symptoms.
- Prochlorperazine
- Often prescribed for severe nausea associated with motion sickness.
- Side Effects: May cause dizziness or sedation.
- Promethazine (prescription in US)
- Known for its strong anti-nausea effects, but it can lead to significant drowsiness.
- Typically recommended for severe cases.
Natural Remedies and Supplements
- Ginger (Dramamine Advanced Herbals, Gravol Ginger)
- Ginger tablets, tea or candies are natural options backed by some studies to alleviate nausea.
- Generally well tolerated may cause diarrhea and heartburn
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
- Shown to reduce nausea in some cases.
- Often used as a supplement alongside other remedies.
Non-Medicated Solutions
- Acupressure Bands (Sea-Band)
- Worn on the wrist, these bands apply gentle pressure to a point (P6) believed to reduce nausea.
- A drug-free, side-effect-free alternative suitable for many travelers.
- Electrostimulation Devices (ReliefBand, EmeTerm)
- Gently stimulates underside of wrist which affects the brain and stomach to possibly reduce nausea
- Mobile Device Features (Apple’s Vehicle Motion Cues)
- Use sensors and black dots that appear on the sides of the screen which moves in the opposite direction to signal a change in movement to possibly reduce motion sickness
Important Notes
- Always consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting new medications, especially if you have underlying health conditions or take other medications.
- For best results, most medications and remedies should be taken 30–60 minutes before travel.
By choosing the right option for your needs, you can prevent motion sickness while traveling, minimize discomfort and make your journey more enjoyable.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before trying any remedies, medications, or devices mentioned here. Individual responses to treatments for motion sickness can vary, and some remedies may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with underlying health conditions, allergies, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding
References
(1) https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/air-land-sea/motion-sickness
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