"Unlocking the Mystery of Travel Sickness: Why Your Body Reacts the Way It Does"

Have you ever come across people having sickness during travel or during stressful period ?

Do they turn pale and start vomiting ?

Have you ever wondered why dis happens only to certain people whereas other people look calm and normal ?

Why does this happen? Is there a scientific explanation behind it?

Yes, There is a deep root connection between brain & gut !!

Lets explore the fascinating science behind this deep root connection in this blog

Understanding the basics of vomiting reflux:

To understand it better we should first know that there is a specific part of the brain called vomiting centre pecifically located in area postremma of the medulla oblangata. So when triggered its this part of the brain that sends signals to muscles and nerves in gut to reflex the food out which results in vomiting.

But this signals vary in threshold in different people and which is why different individuals have different impact of vomiting even if the cause of trigger remain the same.

The role of genetics:

If you’re the person feeling this discomfort often , Sadly its I think its you’re genes to be blamed ! 😔

Genetic variations can make the vomiting center in some people’s brains more sensitive. So when they’re exposed to a trigger like motion sickness or an unpleasant odor, their brain overreacts, leading to nausea and vomiting.

Sensitivity in nervous system:

Our body relies on the vagus nerve and the autonomic nervous system to regulate the communication between the brain and the gut. In certain individuals, these systems might be more reactive, meaning even a mild disturbance can cause a strong nausea or vomiting response.

This is particularly true for people prone to conditions like motion sickness, where signals from the inner ear (which controls balance) conflict with what the eyes see, confusing the brain and triggering nausea.

Hormonal tolerence :

Hormones, particularly estrogen, can influence the likelihood of nausea and vomiting. This is why many pregnant women experience morning sickness during the first trimester. Hormonal fluctuations affect the sensitivity of the vomiting center and the digestive system, making some people more vulnerable than others.

Stress and anxiety release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that can overstimulate the stomach and trigger nausea in sensitive people.

The latest study has shown that the gut & brain are closely connected through a network know as gut brain axis, and hence our emotional and mental state can have a strong influence in behaviour of the gut.

So the next time you see a friend facing travel sickness , you’ll know it’s not just in their head  it’s science.

It is a combination of Genetic makeup, Nervous signals, hormonal imbalance that trigger the brain reflect in discomfort.

Understanding the biological reasons behind it not only helps us appreciate the complexity of our bodies but also reminds us how finely tuned our internal systems really are.

References:

1. Camileri,M.(2021). Brain - gut axis in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Gastroenterolgy, 160(6),2014-2028. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2020.11.034

2. Horm, C.C.(2024). Why is the neurobiology of nausea and vomiting so important ? appetite, 75, 210-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2013.12.240