Can motion sickness be prevented?

Motion sickness can be prevented by aligning the information received from both the visual and vestibular systems. When those two systems disagree about how we're moving through the world, motion sickness can occur. If you're in motion and your eyes aren't seeing the movement because you're focused on a stable object like a phone, motion sickness may result. To prevent this, it's helpful to allow the visual system to track with the vestibular system and not focus on a specific location, as looking out of a car window or toward the horizon can help reduce symptoms 1.

Dr. Andrew Huberman recommends specific exercises to override incorrect error signals that contribute to motion sickness, similar to those used to combat vertigo. By focusing on a point and slowly moving towards it or using hand-eye coordination exercises, one can anchor the visual part of the vestibular ocular reflex, helping to overcome nausea or seasickness 2.

To protect vision and help prevent symptoms of motion sickness related to visual stabilization, Dr. Huberman suggests getting outside and allowing one's eyes to exercise panoramic vision regularly. Focusing on distant objects can help maintain the health of the visual system 3. This helps to keep the lens mechanism of the eyes elastic and in good condition, which is beneficial for overall eye health and can potentially reduce the likelihood or severity of motion sickness.