Motion Sickness

Motion sickness occurs when there is a disconnect between the visual and vestibular systems in the brain. This condition is known as a visual-vestibular conflict. Essentially, one part of the brain receives signals that the body is in motion while another part does not detect this motion, or it detects a different type of motion. For example, feeling the motion in a car but focusing on a stationary phone screen or another static view can induce motion sickness. The mismatch between these sensory inputs makes the brain uncomfortable, leading to symptoms such as nausea 1.

This discomfort is essentially the brain's way of signaling that there is an issue with sensory alignment. Over time, animals (like pigeons) and humans have developed ways to stabilize their vision to cope with motion, which plays a crucial role in preventing motion sickness. Looking forward or fixing the gaze on a stable horizon while in motion can help align these senses and reduce symptoms 2.

The cerebellum also plays a significant role in integrating sensory information and maintaining balance, acting somewhat like an air traffic control system for sensory inputs, ensuring smooth processing and response to motion 1.