Why do roller coasters make adults sick?

Normally the inner ear responds to movement automatically, so we aren't aware that it is working until the movement is too much for our vestibular system to handle. “When that happens, such as riding a roller coaster or even riding in a car or airplane, we experience motion sickness, which are symptoms you describe.



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And, experts believe that those at the fear-end of the spectrum often have an underlying fear of either heights, or closed spaces, or vertigo, or simply, even vomiting, that makes roller coasters scary to them.

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“As far as an age limit, though, if you are physically healthy and up for the thrill, there is likely no greater risk for someone who is 60 than there is for someone who is 20.” The largest concern for those who indulge in roller coasters is the after effects.

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People with high blood pressure and/or heart conditions are warned not to ride roller coasters because of the way they tax the cardiovascular system. The adrenaline rush that roller coasters give you causes a rapid spike in your heart rate and blood pressure.

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Here are some tips to enjoy roller coasters without the nausea:
  1. Take Dramamine® Non-Drowsy. ...
  2. Choose your seat wisely. ...
  3. Focus your eyes on a fixed point. ...
  4. Keep a straight posture. ...
  5. Choose “safe” foods before and after your park visit. ...
  6. When to Avoid Amusement Park Rides.


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Our fight or flight response is activated which signals the rush of adrenaline. Those who are in favor of roller coasters tend to experience joy, happiness, excitement and satisfaction as this is what they wanted to feel. Therefore the psychological effect is positive. The pleasure principle is quite content.

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There's the nervousness while you wait in line, the excitement as you buckle yourself in and the thrill as come speeding down that first drop. But as you age, you may be wondering if it's even still safe to ride a roller coaster. The short answer is, probably yes.

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It depends on the coaster, the more sustained g forces the more likely people throw up. Also hot weather and unhealthy eating contribute. Working a B&M invert we have 1-4 cleanups a day, But that's a worse case scenario. Family coasters rarely ever get clean ups.

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Common medicines that treat motion sickness include Benadryl, Dramamine, and scopolamine. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends scopolamine. It eases nausea and vomiting.

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In general, swaying and spinning rides are the worst culprits for triggering motion sickness. Because your brain has time to register the effects of a roller coaster's twists and turns, that type of ride is more tolerable for people prone to motion sickness (unless the ride is packed with inverted loops).

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Rice's Science Journal says we experience high g-force in our everyday life, such as sneezing. These grey outs or blackouts on roller coasters are usually caused by not having enough to eat or being dehydrated. It can also be caused by hypoxia or low blood oxygen heat stress, fatigue, and consecutive rides.

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Roller coasters are good for stress relief, fighting phobias, and clearing your sinuses.

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According to clinical psychologist Judy Kurianski, high tempo rides expose us to “good fear.” Our brains perceive the drops and heart-stopping twists to be “safe” and “predictable,” so riding these thrill rides becomes therapeutic, especially as we scream out our anxieties.

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