Bitter substances against motion sickness

Some are plagued by it every day, while others can hardly imagine it: motion sickness, also called kinetosis, can completely ruin any vacation or trip. It is triggered by motion stimuli that our brain cannot properly process. Curves in the car or waves at sea disrupt our sense of balance. A possible solution could be bitter substances.

What triggers motion sickness?

The phenomenon known in professional circles as kinetosis is not actually a disease but a natural reaction of our body. The motion stimuli from waves, turbulence, or curves affect our sense of balance. According to the latest research, kinetosis arises because contradictory information reaches the brain. For example, when traveling in a vehicle, we usually do not move ourselves and sit completely still.

Nevertheless, our brain perceives acceleration, vibration, etc. Our brain seems unable to properly handle this contradiction, which is why it expresses corresponding symptoms.

Special importance is attributed to the inner ear as the organ of balance and the eyes in this context. You can already take effective measures against motion sickness by sitting in the front passenger seat instead of the back. The clear view of the road likely helps our brain better reconcile the different sensory inputs.

Types of Motion Sickness

People experience symptoms of motion sickness in a variety of situations. Typical examples include motion sickness from car rides, boat trips, or flights. Here, it is clear that sensory impressions do not match the actual conditions.

Also interesting is land sickness: after being at sea for a long time, when you go ashore, you may feel unsteady and experience nausea. Space sickness is similar – astronauts experience symptoms of motion sickness in zero gravity.

Pseudokinetosis is triggered solely by visual stimuli, for example, when watching a 3D movie. Nowadays, most people experience pseudokinetosis when wearing a VR headset for too long.

Symptoms of Motion Sickness

Motion sickness usually starts with a queasy feeling in the stomach. Then dizziness occurs, followed by nausea. Vomiting often follows.

Other symptoms of motion sickness can include:

• Headaches
• Hyperventilation (rapid breathing)
• Increased pulse
• Paleness in the face
• Increased sweating

“Home remedies” against motion sickness

With simple tips and tricks, motion sickness can possibly be prevented or stopped as it develops. The best is to simply fall asleep before nausea sets in. For some, closing their eyes triggers nausea, so find the best approach for yourself. Here are selected tips:

• Don’t read, don’t look at your phone or the floor. Instead, fix your gaze on a point on the horizon in the direction of travel.
• Sit where there is the least movement. In a car, that’s the front passenger seat; on a bus, the front rows; on a ship, ideally the middle; on a plane, sit over the wings.
• Easily digestible and low-fat meals before the trip help prevent nausea from developing.
• Alcohol and smoking are taboo.
• Distract yourself! Engaging conversations, music, or other pastimes can have a big effect.
• Breaks and fresh air. These can work wonders at regular intervals.
• On ships or planes, you can take movement breaks—this helps your body better align sensory impressions. Walk up and down the aisle to loosen up.
• Relaxation exercises can help, such as meditative breathing exercises or calming music.
• There is a specific acupuncture method that may help against motion sickness. You need to stimulate the Pericardium 6 acupuncture point, preferably with an acupressure band.

What can bitter substances do for you?

The methods mentioned here deal with how you can actively counteract the development of motion sickness while traveling. Bitter substances can provide relief preventively, but also acutely if needed.

A proven method is to chew on a piece of ginger to prevent motion sickness. This is based on the fact that the essential oils and bitter substances in ginger help prevent nausea from occurring in the first place.

Bitter substances are generally a remedy against nausea. The antiemetic effect comes from the fact that our gastrointestinal system needs bitter substances for proper function. They help regulate gastric juice secretion and influence the nervous system of our digestive system.

There is also a possible psychological effect of bitter substances. Initial studies suggest potential antidepressant effects. Accordingly, consuming bitter substances can have a positive impact on our well-being!

Whatever the exact reason, numerous testimonials confirm that bitter substances against motion sickness can help. If you haven’t found a proper solution for yourself yet, feel free to try our BitterKraft!.

The chemical alternative: Medications

The most common approach is to take medications and pills against motion sickness. Few people know exactly what they are taking. Such remedies are generally called antiemetics because they prevent nausea and vomiting. Most antiemetics aim to block signal transmission in the brain or stabilize the sense of balance.

A typical active ingredient in this group is Dimenhydrinate. It calms the central nervous system and blocks signals that trigger nausea and vomiting. The medication is available both over-the-counter and by prescription.

Antihistamines like Meclozine or Diphenhydramine are also often taken before traveling. However, they can cause side effects such as drowsiness, which many users actually find convenient while traveling.

Of course, there are many other pills and remedies against travel sickness. However, many of these require a prescription and are not entirely harmless, as the sedating antihistamines show. For this reason, more and more people turn to preparations like BitterKraft!. With this, you can additionally treat motion sickness without having to resort to harsh chemicals.

What role does diet play in motion sickness?

Diet naturally plays an important role in symptoms like motion sickness. Even if your diet does not directly cause motion sickness, it can still contribute to it.

We list some dietary aspects you should pay attention to in the future:

• Light and Low-Fat Meals: Hard-to-digest meals are more likely to cause nausea. Fats especially take a long time to digest.
• Adequate Hydration: Those who do not drink enough fluids risk worsening their motion sickness through dehydration. Excessive caffeine consumption in particular dehydrates quickly.
• Alcohol and Nicotine: Alcohol and nicotine can of course worsen the symptoms of motion sickness.
• Ginger: Ginger is a traditional home remedy for nausea and vomiting. Feel free to try chewing gums or teas – some people also chew on raw ginger.

Motion Sickness: Frequently Asked Questions

Can motion sickness also occur on an airplane?

Yes. Motion sickness can occur wherever motor movement signals do not match visual perception. So if you are sitting on a plane and your brain notices that you are actually moving, travel nausea can occur. The same principle applies to boats, roller coasters, and also VR headsets.

Is BitterKraft! an effective alternative to conventional medications for motion sickness?

It depends entirely on the individual case. Some BitterKraft! users have told us that their motion sickness can be treated quite well with it. Others have said that BitterKraft! unfortunately is not an alternative to conventional medications and active ingredients for them. So you can only try to see if BitterKraft! helps you.

Are there side effects when taking BitterKraft! for motion sickness?

BitterKraft! is generally considered well tolerated and rarely causes side effects. However, the taste might increase nausea in some people, as the bitter taste is often perceived as unpleasant. In sensitive individuals, the alcohol or bitter substances could also cause mild stomach upset, especially on an empty stomach. In principle, it can be said with some confidence that pharmaceutical antiemetics more often cause side effects.

Is BitterKraft! suitable for children with motion sickness?

Definitely not our conventional BitterKraft! drops, as they contain alcohol as a carrier solution. However, we do offer naturally alcohol-free alternatives, such as our BitterKraft! juices or our powders.

How can I best combine BitterKraft! with other measures to prevent motion sickness?

It depends entirely on you and what helps you. Above, we described “home remedies” against motion sickness, such as distracting conversations, focusing on the road, not looking at your phone, and the like. You can try these methods in combination and find out for yourself what works best. Alternatively, you can work with your doctor to approach treatment and find ways to minimize travel sickness as much as possible.