How Do Motion Sickness Glasses Work and Are They Effective?

Motion sickness is when people feel sick because their eyes and sense of balance send mixed signals to the brain during travel in cars, boats, or planes. About one-third of people get motion sickness at some point, which can make them feel dizzy, nauseous, and generally unwell.

This problem can make traveling uncomfortable and stressful, affecting work, vacations, and even short trips. Studies have looked into why this happens, finding that it’s due to the confusing messages our brains receive about movement. Some reasons people might get motion sickness include genetics, how they’re used to moving around, and if they have vision issues like astigmatism, which makes things look blurry.

People have tried various ways to avoid feeling sick, such as taking medicine like antihistamines or wearing special wristbands. However, these methods don’t always work for everyone, and some have side effects.

Lately, there’s been talk about a new item called motion sickness glasses.

What are Motion Sickness Glasses?

Motion sickness glasses are a creative solution for those who feel sick when traveling in cars, boats, or planes. Unlike regular glasses, these don’t have typical lenses. Instead, they’re built with four rings filled with a special liquid, which makes them quite distinctive in appearance.

How do they look?

These glasses stand out because they’re not your everyday eyewear. They have four round frames—two in front of your eyes and one on each side. These frames hold a brightly colored liquid. While they might look unusual or even a bit funny, their main goal is to help ease motion sickness, not to win a fashion contest.

Their Features

The secret behind these glasses is the liquid inside the frames. When you move, the liquid moves too, creating a visual effect similar to the horizon line. This helps your brain align what you see with the motion you feel, reducing the confusion that often leads to feeling nauseous or dizzy. The idea is to make travel more comfortable for those who typically struggle with motion sickness.

Do Motion Sickness Glasses Really Work?

People often ask if motion sickness glasses can actually help with feeling sick during travel. These glasses have a special design to help your brain match what you see with the movement you’re feeling, aiming to cut down on the mixed signals that lead to nausea and dizziness. But the big question is, are they effective?

How They Help

The idea behind these glasses is pretty smart. They use a liquid in their frames to create a visual that moves with you. This helps your brain make sense of the movement, reducing the usual confusion that causes motion sickness. Basically, they’re trying to trick your brain into feeling more at ease while moving.

What Research Says

There’s not a ton of detailed scientific research out there yet, but some studies suggest these glasses might actually make a difference. One study looked at people who often get motion sickness and found that many felt better when wearing the glasses. This hints that, at least for some folks, these glasses could be a handy tool against motion sickness.

It’s worth mentioning, though, that everyone’s different. What helps one person might not do much for another. How severe your motion sickness is, where you’re traveling, and even your own body’s quirks can all affect whether the glasses work for you.

How to Use Motion Sickness Glasses and Important Tips

You wear motion sickness glasses just like any regular glasses. The difference is they have rings filled with liquid instead of lenses. You can put them on before your trip starts or as soon as you start feeling queasy. There isn’t a specific time you need to wear them; it’s more about when they make you feel better.

Things to Consider

• Time: You don’t need to keep the glasses on for your whole trip. Some people feel better after just a few minutes. Test wearing them for short periods to find out what timing works best for you.
• Seeing Clearly: Because these glasses don’t have lenses, they won’t block your view, so you can wear them with your regular glasses if needed. It might seem odd at first because of the moving liquid at the edges of your vision, but you’ll get used to it.
• Using with Other Remedies: It’s okay to use these glasses with other motion sickness remedies, like medication or wristbands. This might even improve your chances of feeling good during the trip.
• What to Do While Wearing Them: For the best effect, try to look straight ahead and focus on something in the distance. Avoid reading or looking at screens, as this can help the glasses work better.
• Making Sure They Fit: Check that the glasses fit you comfortably. If they’re too tight or loose, it could be distracting, especially on long journeys.

Keep in mind that these glasses are designed to lessen motion sickness symptoms, not get rid of them completely. You might need to try them a few times to figure out how they work best for you. Also, remember that very rough conditions, like high seas or turbulent flights, might still make you feel sick, but these glasses could help make it a bit easier to handle.

Should You Buy Motion Sickness Glasses?

If you often feel sick when you travel and haven’t found much help from other remedies, motion sickness glasses might be worth checking out. These glasses are designed for people looking for a non-drug way to deal with travel sickness.

Generally, these glasses can cost anywhere between $10 and $100. This range means you can find a pair that fits your budget while still potentially helping you with motion sickness.

To sum it up, if travel sickness is a big problem for you and you’re open to trying something new, motion sickness glasses could be a good investment. They’re not too expensive, so if they end up helping you feel better during trips, they could be well worth the cost. Keep in mind, though, that they might work differently for different people, so there’s a bit of trial and error involved in seeing if they’re right for you.