Nausea is one of the top travel-related health risks.
Travel-induced nausea usually results from repeated movements, such as going over bumps while traveling in a car or getting rocked up and down while sailing in a boat. This type of nausea is commonly referred to as motion sickness.
Besides motion sickness, nausea may also be triggered by consuming toxic or unfamiliar foods and breathing polluted air.
Regardless of the cause and severity, it’s reassuring to know that there are numerous antiemetic solutions you can explore to keep travel-induced nausea at bay. Read on for insights into the top five ways to control nausea while traveling.
1. Try THC
THC is an abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s one of the over 130 therapeutically beneficial compounds (known as cannabinoids) that occur naturally in the cannabis plant.
Tetrahydrocannabinol is probably most famed for its mind-altering properties. This is the compound in weed responsible for the ‘high,’ which describes a host of psychedelic effects experienced after consuming recreational marijuana products.
But while THC is best known for its psychoactive properties, the cannabinoid can offer several pharmacological applications. One common health benefit of THC is its ability to combat nausea.
Research shows THC can treat nausea by activating the CB1 receptors in the dorsal vagus complex. The dorsal vagus complex is the nerve responsible for regulating feelings of emesis or vomiting.
In addition to being incredibly effective against nausea, it’s also worth noting that tetrahydrocannabinol comes in many formulations. You can opt for THC oral tinctures, THC oil, or marijuana pre-rolls. Alternatively, you could consider edible goods like THC Gummies or topical products like THC ointments.
One notable benefit of consuming tetrahydrocannabinol gummies is that these products are straightforward to administer. That’s because they feature predetermined THC potency. Gummies also offer maximum discretion, making them suitable for stealth THC users.
2. Get Your Eyes off The Screen
Feelings of nausea have triggered a temporary disconnect between the inner eyes and ears. That explains why people with motion sickness usually have trouble reading. It’s worse if you’re trying to read texts on electronic devices like a laptop or smartphone.
Therefore, one of the most effective ways to combat motion sickness while traveling is to shun electronic gadgets.
You’re free to make that all-too-important phone call or reply to an urgent email. But resist all temptation of using social media or texting your friends while traveling. That’s especially if doing so involves focusing closely on your laptop or mobile phone, which is usually the case.
Suppose you must read a book or listen to music while traveling. Consider audiobooks instead. Better yet, take a short nap and allow the feelings of nausea to fade away before resuming the task at hand.
3. Eat Light Before or During Travel
You probably already know that consuming a heavy meal can mess up your travel plans.
A lot can go wrong when you travel on a full tummy. Most notably, you could develop indigestion, abdominal pain, or nausea.
Therefore, it’s only fair to monitor your food portions before setting off on a trip. That’s especially if the journey involves driving along bumpy roads or sailing across turbulent waters.
As you monitor your food portions, taking care of the quality of the meals you take before or during travel is essential. Stay away from anything acidic, greasy, or spicy. Such foods are known to exacerbate feelings of nausea.
4. Face The Direction You’re Going
Fasting your eyes on the rolling landscapes rushing by while cruising on a road trip is tempting. However, facing backward or sideways can worsen nausea while traveling. So, try facing the direction in which you’re traveling.
Spend as much time as possible marveling at amazing sceneries before driving or sailing past them. This will go a long way in reducing emetic feelings.
If you’re a licensed driver, perhaps this is the best time to switch positions and take the driver’s seat. And if traveling by water, consider moving from the boat’s rear (stern) to the front (bow).
If you find it uncomfortable to face the direction you’re traveling, try changing positions. Some people may get better from motion sickness by lying down. For others, standing up does the trick.
5. Get Fresh Air
As we mentioned, poor air quality can aggravate emetic feelings. Therefore, getting fresh air while traveling can go a long way in making you less nauseated.
One way to access high-quality, fresh air is by choosing a seat next to the window. Alternatively, select the front passenger seat. Not only does the front seat have fewer bumps. It also allows you to breathe fresh air before anyone else in the van.
If you cannot find a suitable seat next to the window, consider opening the windows to let fresh air into the vessel. A fan would also come in handy.
And if your mode of travel doesn’t permit opening windows or turning on the vents, take a break and venture outdoors. This will allow you to inhale refreshing air as you also break the monotony of long-haul road trips.
Summary
Nausea is one of the least desirable experiences, especially when traveling. Thankfully, there are plenty of unique ways to keep motion sickness at bay and enjoy every bit of your trip.
