Can car sickness be cured permanently?

September 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately one-third of the population is highly susceptible to motion sickness, with almost everyone experiencing it under intense enough conditions. While there's no single permanent cure, various effective strategies can prevent and manage symptoms, so the question of 'Can car sickness be cured?' has multiple practical answers.

Quick Summary

Although there is no definitive cure for car sickness, a range of effective strategies exists to manage and prevent its symptoms, including behavioral changes, over-the-counter and prescription medications, and adaptive techniques to desensitize the inner ear.

Key Points

Understanding the Cause: Car sickness is caused by sensory conflict—a mismatch between signals from the eyes, inner ears, and other body parts, confusing the brain about the body's movement.
Prevention is Key: The most effective way to combat car sickness is to prevent symptoms from starting, often by looking at the horizon, taking the front seat, or getting fresh air.
Effective Medications: Over-the-counter options like Dramamine or Bonine, and prescription patches like Scopolamine, can be highly effective, especially when taken prophylactically.
Habituation for Long-Term Management: Repeated, gradual exposure to motion is a proven method to increase tolerance and reduce sensitivity over time, though it may not be a permanent 'cure'.
Natural and Behavioral Remedies: Non-pharmacological approaches, including ginger, deep breathing, and acupressure wristbands, can help manage symptoms for some individuals.
Consider All Options: Relief from car sickness often requires a combination of strategies tailored to the individual's specific triggers and needs.

Understanding the Root Cause of Car Sickness

Car sickness, a type of motion sickness, stems from a sensory conflict within the brain. The brain relies on multiple signals to understand the body's position and movement, including information from the eyes, inner ears, and nerves in the joints and muscles.

The Sensory Mismatch Explained

Eyes see stillness: When you read a book or look at your phone in a moving car, your eyes perceive a stationary object.
Inner ears sense motion: The vestibular system in your inner ear, which controls balance, detects the car's movements and changes in speed.
Brain gets confused: This conflict of signals—your eyes saying you're still while your inner ear says you're moving—triggers a response that leads to nausea, dizziness, and other unpleasant symptoms.

Immediate Remedies and Preventive Strategies

Preventing car sickness is often more effective than treating it after symptoms have begun. Incorporating simple behavioral adjustments can make a significant difference.

Fix your gaze on the horizon: Looking out the window at a distant, fixed point, like the horizon, helps sync the signals from your eyes with your inner ear, reducing sensory conflict.
Take the front seat: Sitting in the front passenger seat provides a better view of the road ahead, allowing you to anticipate movements. Driving the car yourself also often helps, as you are in control of the motion.
Recline your seat: If looking at the horizon isn't possible, reclining your seat and closing your eyes can help minimize the motion your brain perceives.
Ensure fresh air flow: Opening a window to let in fresh, cool air can often alleviate feelings of nausea.
Use aromatherapy: Some people find relief from strong scents like peppermint or ginger. Using essential oils or sucking on ginger candies can be soothing.

Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medications

When behavioral changes aren't enough, several medications can offer relief. It's best to take these before symptoms start.

Comparison of Common Motion Sickness Medications


Feature	Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)	Meclizine (Bonine)	Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
Availability	Over-the-counter	Over-the-counter, prescription strength also available	Prescription only
Form	Tablets, chewable tablets	Tablets, chewable tablets	Transdermal patch
Mechanism	Antihistamine, blocks receptors in the vomiting center	Antihistamine, less sedating than dimenhydrinate	Anticholinergic, blocks signals from the inner ear
Onset Time	30-60 minutes before travel	60 minutes before travel	At least 4 hours before travel
Duration	4-6 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 72 hours
Common Side Effects	Drowsiness, dry mouth	Mild drowsiness, dry mouth	Dry mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness

Important Considerations

Timing is key: Most medications are most effective when taken preventively, before motion sickness symptoms begin.
Consult a doctor: Always talk to a healthcare provider before using medication, especially for children, pregnant women, or those with other medical conditions.

Is it possible to permanently get rid of car sickness?

While not a traditional "cure," the concept of habituation offers the closest thing to permanent relief for many. Habituation is the process of gradually increasing exposure to a motion stimulus to reduce sensitivity over time. For example, a person with seasickness might start with short boat trips in calm water and progressively increase the duration and intensity of the motion.

Nutritional and Lifestyle Considerations

What and how you eat and other lifestyle habits can influence your susceptibility to motion sickness.

Eat light and bland: Avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods before and during a trip. Opt for bland, starchy foods and drink plenty of water.
Try ginger: Ginger has been a folk remedy for nausea for centuries and may help some individuals. It is available in teas, lozenges, or capsules.
Avoid alcohol: Alcohol and other substances can upset the stomach and increase the risk of motion sickness.
Get enough sleep: Fatigue can exacerbate motion sickness symptoms. Being well-rested can make you more resilient to the sensory conflicts of travel.

Acupressure for Nausea Relief

Wristbands that apply pressure to the P6 acupressure point on the inner wrist are a popular alternative remedy. While the medical community has mixed reviews on their effectiveness compared to placebos in studies, some individuals report finding relief.

Practical tips for a smoother ride

To minimize the risk and impact of car sickness, planning ahead is crucial. Inform passengers of potential issues so they can prepare. Consider alternative travel methods if necessary.

Choose a vehicle with a smooth ride.
Travel when you can sleep, such as a late-night drive.
Use distractions like music or conversation to keep your mind off the motion.
Pack a car sickness kit with water, ginger chews, and any necessary medication.

For more detailed information on preventing motion sickness, particularly at sea, consult GoodRx on seasickness medications.

Conclusion

While a one-time "cure" for car sickness is not realistic for everyone, a multi-pronged approach combining behavioral changes, medication, and lifestyle adjustments can provide significant relief. Prevention is the most powerful tool, so identifying your triggers and planning your travel accordingly is key. For those with severe or persistent symptoms, consulting a healthcare provider can help explore advanced options like vestibular therapy. By understanding the cause and implementing these strategies, a smoother, more enjoyable travel experience is well within reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Susceptibility to motion sickness varies due to genetics and individual differences in how the brain processes sensory information from the eyes and inner ears. Factors like age, hormones (e.g., pregnancy), and having conditions like migraines can also increase risk.

Yes, it is common for children to experience car sickness and many do eventually outgrow it as their central nervous system matures and learns to adapt to conflicting sensory inputs. However, this is not always the case.

To prevent car sickness, it's best to eat a light, bland, low-fat meal or snack before traveling. Avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods, and ensure you stay hydrated with water.

Acupressure wristbands are a popular alternative remedy that some people find effective for managing nausea. However, medical studies on their effectiveness compared to placebos have shown mixed results.

Yes, many non-medication strategies can help. These include focusing your gaze on the horizon, getting fresh air, avoiding reading or screen time, eating bland snacks, and using ginger.

Medications work best when taken as a preventive measure, before motion sickness symptoms begin. Pairing medication with behavioral strategies, such as focusing on the horizon and avoiding visual tasks, can enhance its effectiveness.

The front passenger seat is often the best choice for avoiding car sickness, as it provides the most stable view of the road ahead and allows you to anticipate motion. Sitting in the middle seat of a train or over the wing in an airplane also offers a smoother ride.