Suffering from motion sickness is the absolute worst. As a kid, I wasn’t impacted by it. Riding in cars, sailing in boats, spinning on merry-go-rounds, and sticking to walls in the Six Flags Tom’s Twister ride had zero negative effect on me.
Strangely, in 1999, while bumping through the Amazon on an old bus with huge monster truck tires and non-existent shocks, I felt awful. Experiencing the sudden combination of queasy stomach, cold sweats, and dizziness, I wondered if I had food poisoning. Sound familiar? Nope, turns out, it was my first bout of motion sickness. Not an ideal time to discover it, given that I was soon boarding a small boat for a 10-day trip in the Galapagos.
Sadly, my motion sickness tendency has compounded over the years. As an avid scuba diver, who loves liveaboards, and a road trip enthusiast, identifying solutions to combat this pesky ailment has been important.
Interestingly, while reading a book or Kindle in a car causes no issues, using a computer or my iPhone will result in me quickly succumbing to motion sickness. Something about those screens seems to seriously mess with my equilibrium. Tempting fate and using them even for a short period means I have to put the window down and stare straight ahead for a long time to feel better.
My favorite motion sickness remedies
Discovering and refining what works best for me has been a process. Below are the five remedies I use most often, rank ordered by preference.
1. ReliefBand
This is my GO TO remedy. The ReliefBand has been GAME-CHANGING for me. After borrowing it from a colleague six years ago, I have used it on every boat trip and had impressive results.
After forgetting to put it on one evening in Antarctica, we hit strong waves during dinner. Realizing my mistake, I rushed to our cabin to retrieve it. After putting it on, finishing dinner was easy since it’s fast-acting and incredibly effective.
Without it, I suspect I would have been confined to our room the rest of the evening. Although Jason was initially skeptical of this device, he now swears by it too, suffering no motion sickness in Antarctica while using it.
After recommending it to numerous Ear, Nose and Throat Physicians with whom I worked, they sang its praises and recommended it to patients as well. Interestingly, it was previously only available in Europe and Canada. Fortunately, about two years ago, it became available in the U.S. without a prescription.
How does it work?
Developed initially to treat morning sickness and chemotherapy-related nausea, it’s a great motion sickness remedy. While wearing it, an electrical pulse stimulates the median nerve in your wrist. These signals travel to your brain, which then sends messages to your stomach, thereby decreasing nausea symptoms. You’ll quickly get used to the “tingling” sensation in your palm/middle finger.
How do I use it?
After applying a gel to my wrist and setting it to “2” for most travels (settings range from 1-5), I feel great. If it’s particularly rough, I increase it to “3.” Reapplying the gel every two to three hours maximizes effectiveness. Note, it’s not waterproof, so don’t forget to take it off if you will be getting into water. Since I’m not typically affected by motion sickness when sleeping, I take it off when I go to bed.
How long does it last?
Batteries will typically last for 150 hours using it at setting “3.” We can attest to this as ours lasted for the duration of our Antarctica trip on one set of batteries. When 10 hours of battery life remain, a low battery light will activate.
TIP: I recommend always traveling with a backup set of batteries.
Where can you buy it?
Since no prescription is necessary, you can buy the ReliefBand directly from Amazon.
Potential side effects?
Some experience a rash or irritation from the electrodes and/or the latex in the wristband.
2. Sea-bands
Using these when kayaking, riding in a car or short boat rides has proven immensely helpful. However, if seas are extremely rough, these typically won’t be enough for me.
How does it work?
By exerting pressure on an acupressure point in your wrist (known as the Nei-Kuan point), it diminishes motion sickness related nausea. The pressure releases endorphins thereby blocking chemicals that may be out of balance. Since this is a topical treatment, you don’t experience any of the side effects known to occur with anti-nausea drugs.
How do I use it?
Wearing one on each wrist is important to maximize effect. Additionally, putting them on 30 to 60 minutes before boat/car travel begins is recommended.
Where can you buy it?
Buy Sea-bands from Amazon or from your local drugstore since a prescription is not required.
Potential side effects?
None
3. Bonine
This non-prescription oral remedy has helped me when traveling on boats. Despite having the same active ingredient (meclizine), it makes me less drowsy than Dramamine (another alternative). Given how sleepy it makes me, I never take these when driving or on road trips.
How does it work?
Meclizine impacts the central nervous system and decreases nerve messages in the inner ear, which diminishes motion sickness. It’s said to begin working one hour after you take it and lasts for eight to 24 hours. Since it’s an antihistamine, it causes drowsiness.
How do I use it?
Based on a friend’s recommendation, I now begin taking one Bonine per day beginning two nights before I board a boat. Then, I take one Bonine the morning I board and one Bonine each night thereafter on the boat. Given the drowsiness effect, I take a daily afternoon nap whenever I’m taking these, which isn’t a bad thing on vacation, right?
Where can you buy it?
Since it’s over the counter, buy Bonine from Amazon or from your local drugstore or Target.
Potential side effects?
Drowsiness
4. Transderm Scop
This prescription remedy is applied to the skin behind your ear and delivers 1.5mg of Scopolamine over three days. It can help prevent nausea and vomiting from motion sickness.
While it worked for me for a number of trips, I had one instance where my eyes were dilated for 12 hours. Since my pupils were huge (like they are when you have an eye exam), I was very sensitive to light and couldn’t read my dive gauges, so I couldn’t dive the rest of that day.
Although I had washed my hands after applying it, I suspect I had a little bit on my fingertips when I put my contacts in. And, Jason has experienced severe dry mouth when using it.
How does it work?
After being absorbed through the skin, it prevents nausea and vomiting. Importantly, you must use this before you have symptoms. Scientists believe that the drug prevents communication between nerves of the vomiting center in the brain.
How do I use it?
Place one patch on a hairless area behind your ear every 72 hours. Apply at least four hours before the activity. If you need it for longer than 72 hours, remove the original patch and replace it with a new one.
Where can you buy it?
Request a prescription from your physician and buy it at your local pharmacy.
Potential side effects?
Temporary increase in your pupil size, blurred vision, drowsiness, dry mouth, difficulties urinating.
5. Ginger
This natural remedy has been used for over 2,000 years to treat nausea. Ginger tea, ginger ale, fresh ginger, or ginger chews have all proven effective for me. While cruising in Antarctica, our ship had bowls of ginger pieces placed throughout the bar area.
How does it work?
Consuming ginger products will neutralize stomach acid by promoting the secretion of stomach juices. Interestingly, it also relaxes stomach muscles.
How do I use it?
Allowing ginger chews to slowly dissolve in your mouth is a great way to combat nausea once it sets in. Traveling with ginger chews is an easy way to keep this proven solution handy.
Where can you buy it?
Buy ginger chews from Amazon or from your local grocery store or Trader Joe’s.
Potential side effects?
None
Please note that none of the recommendations given in this post should be deemed medical advice. These are merely recommendations for what I have found to be effective and useful for me. For specific questions regarding these treatment options, please consult a medical professional.
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These tips are truly game changing! I have used many of these remedies myself when traveling on boats. It has made experiences go from dreadful to amazing. In fact, I keep the sea-bands in a first aid kit with me at all times. I have found it useful when traveling with children. I have even bought some of these items as gifts for friends and family. Thanks again for sharing such amazing tips.
I’m so glad you’ve found these remedies helpful. Great idea to give as gifts for friends and family. I always have sea bands with me for car trips and the Relief Band for any boat trips. Relief Band saved the day again on a cruise to Mexico a few weeks ago. The dining room positioning on the ship made it prone to movement. After putting the Relief Band on, I could talk, eat and enjoy with no issues.
The Epic 7 recommendations have been game changers for me. I am very sensitive to motion and the sickness that follows makes it challenging to cruise, and fly on airplanes. The Relief Band has relieved my nausea and sickness associated with motion. Thanks for the tips!
Khadija, I’m so happy to hear the Relief Band has helped you as well. It’s such an amazing innovation for those of us who suffer from motion sickness. I have no doubt it will save the day again for an upcoming trip to Tonga.
After trying most of these remedies for my terrible motion sickness i purchased the reliefband for a trip to iceland this past summer. While the plane was taking off i started getting so nervous i started feeling that cold sweat and nauseous feeling, I had a bad turbulence experience previously so just the thought of that flight makes me sick. I quickly put the band on my wrist on setting 2 till i felt the tingling sensation and within a minute my nervous stomach settled down and I felt fine! I was so happy. I wish i had this with me back in january on my first and what i called my last cruise ship trip! Now I totally belief the science behind this product and will be coming with me on air, land and sea.
Pilar, I’m so happy to hear the Relief Band helped you with take off. It really is a miraculous invention. Like you, I take it everywhere with me now. I used it on a recent cruise, allowing me to stay and enjoy dinner instead of being confined to my room. Setting 2 is what I typically use as well.
The Relief Band is truly amazing! I suffered through motion sickness for years. When my husband and I booked a cruise sailing around Croatia I knew I had to be prepared. Thanks to the band I felt great the entire trip!!
Definitely a game changer!
Lisa
Lisa, that’s awesome that the Relief Band is a game changer for you too! Prior to learning about it in 2011, I dreaded long boat rides, knowing that I would succumb to horrible motion sickness. Now, boats present minimal challenge.
Awesome solutions for combatting the unpleasant nausea from motion sickness! I definitely find I get nausea on long boat rides that are choppy which isn’t the greatest start to a dive! Thank you!
I can absolutely relate, Vanessa. For years, I dreaded those long boat rides. I was the first one to backroll in, hoping to make the nausea subside by exiting the bouncy vessel. The Relief Band has been game changing for me. I wear it on the boat ride, taking it off and storing it in a dry bag during the dive.
Oh wow! I’ve used Bonine and that seems to work best for me! I’ve done the wrist pressure points, but maybe I was putting it in the wrong spots, but I got sick using them. I usually will take a Bonine, and then keep some chewable spot-on sickness tablets, just in case!
So glad to hear Bonine works for you, Michelle. While it definitely helps me, it makes me super drowsy, so I’m often asleep by the time we get to the intended destination. In Antarctica, I fell asleep during fascinating presentations the first few days as a result of Bonine. However, given how bad I heard the Drake’s Passage could be (40 foot/13 meter seas), I wanted to take every precaution. Also, very good to know regarding the wrist pressure points. I hadn’t previously heard that, but it makes sense given how dramatically our bodies can react to different pressure points.
Marielena … you are like my guardian angel with this post!! Anyone who has suffered from motion sickness knows how horrible it can be and how it can impact on your day to day life. I suffer so badly, that can you believe, I even get sick when I drive!! My poor husband, after many years, is used to either being chauffered around by me or to carrying a spare plastic bag! Boats are terrible and living on an island we are constantly in the water, which I love so much. Just cannot wait for my next trip to the US (or off island) to get myself some Relief Bands and hope in the interim I may win some! Thank you so much for all of these wonderful solutions you have shared xxx
Oh, I feel for you, Kelly. I can’t imagine also suffering when you drive. If it’s windy roads, I also usually drive to avoid the nausea. I hope these remedies will be as helpful for you as they have been for me. I believe Relief Band is also available in Canada, Australia and Ireland, so if you are in any of those places, you might be able to pick one up as well.
Thank you for sharing these great remedies! It turns out that my daughter gets motion sick, so I’ve been trying to find what works.
Christina, I feel for your daughter. I developed motion sickness in my 20s, after having no symptoms as a child. I can only imagine how challenging it must be as a kid with car and bus rides, amusement parks, etc. I hope you find a solution that works for her!
I find it so odd that you didn’t develop motion sickness till later in life. What a bummer! I’ve suffered through it for my whole life. Thankfully I don’t (usually) get puke-y — just dizzy and queasy. I’ve never let it stop the adventures though! I do my best to always have some non-drowsy Dramamine on hand. This ReliefBand sounds so interesting though! I’m gonna have to look it up. Have a lovely day. x
I agree, it was definitely strange that I wasn’t impacted by motion sickness until my 20s. The dizzy/queasy feeling is never fun. Sadly, the non-drowsy Dramamine and Bonine still make me very drowsy. The Relief Band is great as you are ingesting anything, so you avoid the side effects. I’m so happy that a co-worker introduced me to it in 2011 and now that they are more broadly available without a prescription!
Wow great article!!! Hoping I can share this with friends as the information is very helpful!!!
Thanks so much, Cassie. So glad you found the article helpful. I’ve searched and identified solutions for years, so I’m happy all that I’ve learned and tried can help others. Relief Band has been an absolute game-changer for me.
Super interesting, I feel my motion sickness has gotten a bit better lately but still struggling when the ocean is a bit wild!! So curious to see how the relief band works!
I’m so glad to hear that your motion sickness has been improving, Marine. Sadly, mine seems to be getting worse as I get older. I was previously impacted primarily on boats, but it’s extended to cars and rough plan rides too. The Relief Band has made such a difference for me for rough ocean days. The one thing to be aware of is that it’s not waterproof, so make sure to take off before diving into the water 🙂 Everyone I know who has tried it has really liked it and had great results!
Thank you for these recommendations! The ReliefBand was a life-saver during a recent trip to Maui and drive along the Road to Hana. The drive to Hana (with its 620+ curves) would have been absolutely miserable without the ReliefBand. I also used it for the drive up Haleakala (another curvy road), and I didn’t have any car sickness issues (which meant I could focus on the breathtaking views!). Thanks for your awesome recommendations!
Jen, I’m so happy you’ve found the Relief Band helpful too! The Road to Hana is brutal, even as the driver. Even if people aren’t typically prone to motion sickness, I suspect many succumb as a result of the incredible number of switchbacks. I’m glad to hear it had utility for Haleakala as well. I’m bringing my Relief Band for an upcoming trip on the Great Ocean Road in Australia