Using Happy Music as a Natural Remedy for Motion Sickness Recovery

Recent research suggests that listening to certain types of music might aid in recovering from motion sickness. In a study utilizing a driving simulator to induce car sickness, scientists tested the effects of different musical genres on symptom alleviation. Their findings indicate that soft, joyful music significantly accelerates recovery, whereas sad music is less effective than no music at all. Participants exposed to happy tunes experienced a reduction in symptoms by about 57%, closely followed by gentle music at 56.7%. Conversely, sad music resulted in a 40% reduction, which is slightly less than resting without music.

Scientists believe that music influences brain activity related to motion sickness. EEG measurements showed that as participants recovered, their brain activity in the occipital lobe normalized, especially in those who listened to cheerful music. The study proposes that joyful music might work by activating reward pathways or distracting from discomfort, thereby easing symptoms. Meanwhile, sad music could evoke negative emotions that hinder recovery.

The study highlights music as a low-cost, non-invasive, and personalized approach to managing motion sickness. Dr. Qizong Yue from Southwest University, China, emphasizes the potential for using music to reduce reliance on pharmacological treatments, which often have side effects like drowsiness.

However, the researchers note that further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to validate these findings and explore their applicability in real-world travel scenarios, beyond simulated environments. They also plan to investigate how personal musical preferences influence the effectiveness of this intervention.

In practical terms, individuals prone to motion sickness during travel might find relief by listening to cheerful or soothing music. These insights could extend to other forms of travel, including air and sea journeys, and contribute to developing personalized, music-based strategies to combat motion sickness.

Source: medicalxpress.com