That sneaky illness called motion sickness can strike at any time. It is a complex dance of contradicting messages between the inner ear and the eyes that leaves its victims queasy. Some people experience their first hint of problems when they board a ship; the soft swaying of the waves sets off a series of uneasy feelings. The horizon turns into a flickering foe, and the once-sturdy ship is changed into a cunning carnival attraction. Gazing at the enormous body of water, the mind spins, unable to make sense of the contradicting signals it is receiving: the inner ear is picking up the constant sway, yet the eyes are seeing a calm sea. Even cars are not a haven. Even the most seasoned travelers can become uneasy due to the road's twists and bends, the sound of tires churning on pavement, and the sight that passes by. Each curve, each bump, every continuous acceleration and deceleration is a betrayal of homeostasis. The nausea intensifies as the kilometers go by, serving as a constant reminder that the body is not designed for this kind of intense movement. Planes have their own special set of difficulties because of their small spaces and recycled air. The cramped quarters, the jarring turbulence, and the boom of the engines all work together to make one feel queasy. Passengers are treated to a dizzying display of sky and clouds as they peer out of tiny windows, with the horizon acting as a constantly shifting objective. They wait, counting the minutes until solid ground is under their feet again, with nowhere to flee. Motion sickness is a threat that even virtual realities cannot completely eliminate. A disorienting disconnect can result from the brain becoming confused by the illusion of movement in the absence of a corresponding real experience. What ought to be an exciting journey turns into a mental and physical struggle as sickness takes momentum. Of course, there are remedies: wristbands for pressure spots, ginger for upset stomachs, and drugs to quiet internal turmoil. However, motion sickness continues to be an unwanted travel companion for many, serving as a constant reminder of the precarious equilibrium that keeps us anchored. We clutch to our seats and pray for calm waters ahead as the earth spins and sways as it hurtles onward.
