What causes VR motion sickness?
- Your eyes register the movements being simulated around you when you are playing a VR game.
- The inner ears also sense the virtual movements happening all around you.
- These could be riding a galloping unicorn or from comets whizzing.
- Nonetheless, the muscles and joints sense that you are not moving in reality.
- Due to which mixed signals are sent from the eyes, ears, and body to the brain.
- Which results in the disorientation of the brain leading up to motion sickness.
Symptoms
- Some symptoms of the condition are:
- nausea and vomiting
- queasiness
- cold sweats
- dizziness
- headache
- fatigue
People prone to VR Motion Sickness
- Novice gamers may be more susceptible to VR motion sickness than those who play regularly.
- Starting slowly and adjusting the amount of time for beginners may help reduce motion sickness.
- Women and children are more prone to this condition than men.
- Women who’re pregnant or menstruating may also be more vulnerable to motion sickness, including VR motion sickness.
Remedies
- VR motion sickness may last for hours, some remedies for help according to Health Line are:
Drowsy-formula antihistamines:
- First-generation antihistamines that cross the blood-brain barrier can be used to treat motion sickness.
- These antihistamines have anticholinergic properties.
It helps with symptoms like:
vomiting and nausea.
Medications prescribed are:
Benadryl and Dramamine.
Second-generation antihistamines don’t have this effect.
- Fresh air:
Getting some fresh outside air can also help.
Aromatherapy - Essential oils
lavender and ginger, may help reduce nausea and dizziness. - Room diffuser
Method of use:
place a few drops on your wrists and gently breathe in the scent. - Ginger:
chewing ginger candy or drinking ginger tea may help reduce nausea and give you a calming effect.
You can also peel and suck on fresh ginger root.
Preventions
Effective treatments for preventing motion sickness include:
- Scopolamine patch
Scopolamine is a prescription anticholinergic drug that’s administered via a patch worn behind the ear.
It alleviates nausea and vomiting caused by surgical procedures.
A patch can be worn for up to 3 days.
An empty stomach before using the gadget can also reduce vomiting or nausea.
Medication - Using medications like Dramamine or Benadryl several hours before playing has been proven helpful.
- Use a wrist band:
Wear an anti-nausea wristband that sits on acupressure point Nei Guan (P6).