Reading in the car: for some a pleasant pastime during travel, for others an unthinkable torture that triggers nausea, dizziness and cold sweats. car sickness It's one of those seemingly trivial ailments that can completely ruin an experience.
Drugs that cause drowsiness, bracelets of dubious efficacy, complicated breathing techniques: the repertoire of remedies is as vast as it is often unsatisfactory. Now, a Japanese team ofNagoya University discovered something surprisingly simple: a specific sound at 100 Hz, listened to even for just a minute, can significantly relieve the symptoms of motion sickness. The discovery, published on Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, could change forever (finally) the way we treat this annoying disorder.
A sound therapy against car sickness
It is the research group led by Takumi Kagawa e Masashi Katō both at Nagoya University School of Medicine (already seen for this study on gray hair) to have made the discovery that could free millions of people from the nightmare of motion sickness. Using a “unique sound stimulation technology” (a device that stimulates the inner ear with a specific wavelength of sound) they have managed to significantly reduce the symptoms of motion sickness, what we call car sickness and which can actually manifest itself in several scenarios.
Our study showed that short-term stimulation using a unique sound called 'sound spice' relieved symptoms of motion sickness, such as nausea and dizziness.
The most surprising aspect? Just 60 seconds of exposure is enough to obtain tangible benefits. The effective sound level falls within the range of daily environmental noise exposure, suggesting that this sound technology is both effective and safe. It seems unreal to me that something so simple can work after years of complicated and often ineffective remedies.
How does this acoustic magic work?
The scientific principle behind this discovery is fascinating. “The vibrations of the unique sound stimulate the otolithic organs in the inner ear, which detect linear acceleration and gravity,” he explained. Kato. In practice, this sound stimulus extensively activates the vestibular system, responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation.
To test the effectiveness of the device, researchers recruited volunteer participants who were exposed to this particular sound. After stimulation, they induced motion sickness using a swing, a driving simulator, or by taking a car ride. The results were assessed through postural control, ECG readings, and the results of the Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire.
Promising results for travellers
Exposure to the unique sound before being put on the driving simulator improved sympathetic nerve activation. The researchers found that symptoms such as “dizziness” and “nausea,” often associated with car sickness, were alleviated.
These results suggest that activation of sympathetic nerves, which are often dysregulated in motion sickness, was objectively enhanced by exposure to the unique sound.
“The health risk from short-term exposure to our unique sound is minimal,” he said. Kagawa. “Since the stimulation level is well below workplace noise safety standards, this stimulation should be safe when used properly.”
The findings suggest a safe and effective way to improve motion sickness, potentially offering relief to millions of sufferers. The researchers plan to further develop the technology with the goal of practical applications for various travel situations, including air and sea travel.
I like to think that soon we could have an app on our phone that, with a simple sound, frees us from the nightmare of car sickness. It would be one of those small revolutions that do not change the world, but make it decidedly more livable for many of us.
