However, the jerky and unpredictable movements of a roller coaster can cause the eye and the ear to send mismatched messages to the brain. For kids, this internal confusion feels exciting. But for adults, who are accustomed to more predictable motion, the outcome is often dizziness, vertigo or motion sickness.

Going on a roller coaster for the first time is a multi-sensory experience designed to trigger your "fight or flight" response in a controlled environment. You should expect intense G-forces: "positive Gs" will push you deep into your seat during the bottom of a drop, making your body feel heavy, while "negative Gs" (or "airtime") will make you feel like you are floating out of your seat as you crest a hill. Sensory-wise, you will feel the wind whipping past your face at high speeds, hear the rhythmic "clink-clink-clink" of the anti-rollback dogs on the lift hill, and experience a rush of adrenaline. Many riders feel a "stomach drop" sensation, which is actually your internal organs moving slightly during rapid changes in vertical motion. It is important to keep your head back against the headrest to avoid "neck snap" and to keep your eyes open so your brain can process the motion, which actually helps prevent motion sickness. While the experience can be overwhelming, remember that roller coasters are among the most over-engineered and safest forms of transportation on earth, designed to provide a "perceived risk" while maintaining extreme mechanical safety.