Listening To Joyful Music Can Ease Motion Sickness, But Sad Songs Make It Worse

CHONGQING, China — Getting carsick during road trips might not be inevitable anymore, thanks to new research that suggests certain types of music can help reduce motion sickness symptoms. In a lab experiment, scientists found that playing the right tunes eased nausea and dizziness by more than half, offering a promising tool for the millions of Americans who dread long car rides.

Researchers discovered that soft, gentle music and upbeat, joyful songs were the most effective at lessening symptoms, reducing discomfort by an average of 56.7% and 57.3% respectively. Stirring music helped somewhat, but not as strongly, while sad music actually made motion sickness worse than simply waiting for symptoms to fade.

As self-driving cars become more common, passengers will likely spend more time looking at screens or reading instead of watching the road ahead, which could make motion sickness more frequent. The study suggests that strategically chosen music might one day help keep car rides more comfortable.

Scientists Use Brain Monitoring to Test Music Against Car Sickness

Published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, the study used brain wave monitoring technology to measure how different musical genres affected motion sickness in real time. Previous research has often relied on questionnaires about how people feel, but here, scientists combined self-reports with electroencephalogram (EEG) data for a more detailed picture.

Dr. Bangbei Tang and colleagues at Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences recruited 30 volunteers for a controlled experiment using a driving simulator. The simulator safely triggered motion sickness without the risks of testing in real vehicles.

Participants wore special caps fitted with 64 electrodes that recorded brain activity as they experienced simulated driving conditions designed to cause motion sickness. Researchers paid particular attention to activity in the occipital region (the area at the back of the head that processes visual information), which is thought to play a key role in motion sickness.

Once participants began to feel sick, they listened to four different kinds of music: joyful music, sad music, stirring (also called passionate) music, and soft music. Each musical trial lasted for 60 seconds, while a control group received no intervention and was allowed to recover naturally.

Why Upbeat and Soft Music Work Better Than Sad Songs

The results showed clear differences between musical genres. Soft music reduced motion sickness symptoms by an average of 56.7%, while joyful music achieved a 57.3% reduction. Stirring music performed moderately well with a 48.3% reduction. But sad music was counterproductive, reducing symptoms by only 40% compared to natural recovery’s 43.3%.

The researchers suggest these differences come down to how music interacts with both the brain and the body. Soft music may help by calming the nervous system and reducing stress responses that can worsen nausea. Joyful music, on the other hand, may distract people from their discomfort by activating the brain’s reward systems, improving mood in the process.

Sad music, however, seems to intensify negative feelings. The authors noted that this creates “an emotional resonance effect” that can compound the unpleasant sensations of motion sickness. Rather than providing relief, melancholy melodies appear to make people more aware of their discomfort.

Brain monitoring revealed something interesting about the occipital lobe. When participants felt sick, electrical activity in this region became less varied and less active. As they recovered, whether through music or simply resting, activity increased again, suggesting a measurable link between brain dynamics and symptom relief.

How Music Therapy Could Transform Future Car Travel

Current treatments for motion sickness often involve medications that can cause drowsiness or other side effects. Music therapy offers a non-drug alternative that could be easily integrated into vehicle entertainment systems. The researchers even envision future scenarios where cars might monitor passengers for signs of motion sickness and adjust the audio environment accordingly, though for now, that idea remains speculative.

The beneficial effects of music were associated with increased alpha wave activity in the brain (in the 8–13 Hz range), which is typically linked to relaxed, calm states. This suggests that successful relief may involve nudging the brain into a more peaceful rhythm.

Still, the study had some important limitations. The sample size of 30 participants was relatively small, and all were young adults between 20 and 30 years old. Susceptibility to motion sickness can vary widely with age, so results may not apply equally to children, middle-aged adults, or seniors.

The researchers also acknowledged that their analysis showed only 29% statistical power, well below conventional scientific standards, meaning the results should be interpreted cautiously. Each music trial lasted just 60 seconds, which doesn’t reflect the longer timescales of real-world travel.

Even with these caveats, the research provides an intriguing glimpse into how simple, accessible interventions like music could play a role in making travel more comfortable. Instead of reaching for medication or avoiding long rides, passengers in the future may simply need to press “play” on the right soundtrack.

Disclaimer: This article summarizes findings from a peer-reviewed study. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Motion sickness treatments vary, and anyone seeking relief should consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to their treatment or prevention strategies.