Having grown up 600 miles from the nearest ocean (and spending my life in search of a permanent motion sickness cure), I remember my first time on a boat vividly.
Free Willy had just come out and I was absolutely losing what little cool I had left. Speeding out into the ocean, waves crashing around me, wind in my hair… pure exhilaration. A feeling I still get every time I’m on a boat (even if I am hundreds of miles from the nearest orca).
But almost immediately, I started violently throwing up. I ended up spending the next few hours laying down next to a 55-gallon trash can, trying desperately to keep my insides intact. But… that didn’t happen to young Jason James Richter! What gives?!
In search of a permanent motion sickness cure
And so went every single boat trip after that. Me, booking “full day trips” where I spent the entire time puking off the back of the boat with a revolving door of strangers asking me how I’m doing. Raise your hand if you know exactly what this feels like?
This post covers how I permanently put my debilitating motion sickness to bed, all the things I tried over the years that didn’t work, and how you can hopefully benefit from my struggle. Freshly updated after a decade free of motion sickness! Enjoy!
My experience with motion sickness
Unfortunately for me, the fact that I grew up nowhere near an ocean didn’t help my case. Though the boat version was the worst of them all (living in Florida later on was real fun), I still spent the first 30 years of my life suffering from motion sickness in cars, on trains, on roller coasters, on planes, you name it. If it moved, you’d be seeing what I had for lunch.
Add in a love of travel and just think about what a typical travel day looks like: care ride to the airport, flight or two to reach your destination, train ride to the city, cab to the hotel, etc.
In short, traveling was both my love and my nightmare. You’d think after traveling so much for so long that you’d be able to build up a tolerance to motion but noooo. Apparently, that only works for things like spicy foods and alcohol.
Needless to say, motion sickness was an ever-present threat in my life.
Disclaimer: For legal reasons I’m going to let you know that I’m not a medical professional nor am I trying to give you medical advice. I am purely relaying my personal experiences.
What didn’t work for my motion sickness
Over the course of 30 years, you can imagine I tried everything imaginable in search of a permanent motion sickness cure. Or, at least a reliable one. Among my search for a solution, I tried:
1. Dramamine
Dramamine is but a temporary solution that works by simply knocking me out cold. Sure, I’d spend a few hours not throwing up, but how fun is a theme park when you’re asleep on a park bench? (True story)
How beautiful is a drive through the Tuscan hills when you can’t see through the brain fog? How interesting is a new city you just landed in when you arrive comatose?
It’s true, they do sell Dramamine “Less Drowsy.” But if you actually think this works, I have a unicorn to sell you. For what it’s worth, I’ve also tried Bonine and generic meclizine and it’s all the same to me.
2. Ginger
Ginger allegedly is great for motion sickness-associated nausea. I took daily ginger capsules in hopes of finding a permanent motion sickness cure I could fit seamlessly into my life with no side effects.
They “worked” for about as long as I could convince myself they were working (which was never long). I really tried to Jedi-mind-trick the hell out of those little pills but apparently the force is not strong with this one.
Fun fact: Dramamine also sells a “Non-Drowsy” formula which is just ginger capsules. Go ahead, try them. I’ll be right here when you’re ready to continue.
3. Acupressure wristbands
These are wristbands or bracelets you wear that apply pressure to certain points on your wrists. And somehow this is supposed to magically stop “motion sickness, morning sickness, and chemotherapy induced nausea.” Sure, Jan.
This concept is pure baloney and all those stupid bracelets do is single you out to everyone else on the boat that you’re probably going to start puking at any given moment. I don’t know about you, but my motion sickness was so bad ain’t nobody got time for these woo-woo gimmicks.
4. Looking at the horizon
(I wish you could see my face as I type this.) Amongst the revolving door of boat strangers who would offhandedly check on my well-being, there would always be at least one man who’d say, “Just look at the horizon.”
OH OK IS THAT ALL? How foolish of me to think motion sickness was anything more than simply where I looked. With all due respect, sir, kick rocks.
5. Scopolamine patches
I don’t even know where to start with these little hell patches. Scopolamine patches (sometimes called Transderm Scop) are prescription-only small round patches you put behind your ears to prevent motion sickness.
First of all, these are just a temporary motion sickness solution used for certain activities. For instance, during your honeymoon in Hawaii when you don’t want to be puking all over your new husband or wife.
I don’t know on what planet these work for anyone. Using the Scopolamine patches was a nightmare in the purest sense of the word.
Beware the side effects
Think your motion sickness can’t get any worse? Throw on a Scopolamine patch. Believe it or not, using Scopolamine patches made me so much sicker. Did you know one of the side effects of Scopolamine is nausea? Please just kill me already.
Besides that, I suffered pretty serious blurred vision and just straight-up couldn’t see for two straight days. They gave me unbearable dry mouth and made me constantly dizzy. I’m talking 48-hour vertigo. I couldn’t walk a straight line for days.
But the funnest part? Removing them will make the side effects worse, severe withdrawal symptoms and all. What a romantic way to start a marriage!
Also check out: What It’s Like Snorkeling Caye Caulker, Belize
6. Seeking professional help
Having spent a lifetime suffering from motion sickness and trying every conceivable remedy, I visited my general practitioner. Now, I knew there was nothing new she could tell me, but my hope was maybe there was a permanent motion sickness cure she could prescribe me.
It was when she pulled out her phone and searched “How to cure motion sickness” right there in front of me that I knew this was a lost cause. (Yes, she has a medical degree. No, I never went back to her again.)
7. Not going anywhere at all ever
It was starting to look like the only permanent motion sickness cure that would truly work was not going anywhere, ever. Which, for anyone who isn’t a recluse, doesn’t actually work at all.
My motion sickness breaking point
By the time I hit 30, I’d tried everything there was to try. I’d accepted that being nauseous much of the time was just my crappy reality.
One night, my husband and I took a 10-minute train into Boston for dinner. And guess what? I got sick before we even got to the restaurant. By the time dinner was over, I was back to normal. On the way back to the train, I started to feel nauseous again. But wait, I haven’t even set foot on the train yet? Alas, just the thought of riding the train made me feel sick.
It was at that very moment I started to consider that perhaps my problem wasn’t purely physiological. I pondered this for the entire cab ride back home (during which I sat up front with the drive). By the time we’d reached our destination, I’d resolved to seek mental help. Specifically, a hypnotherapist.
It was time for something new
Obviously, I was at my wits end. I’d tried everything else and I was 30-years sick of this shit. At this point, I was willing to try anything, even if it was something as cuckoo as hypnosis.
What helped me decide to try this was the fact that I was currently working with a woman who, through hypnotherapy, had lost over 100 lbs and had completely changed her eating habits. She made it seem so normal and I could see the results with my own eyes.
I didn’t know how hypnotherapy worked or in what world it would be able to help me, all I knew was that I got motion sickness from simply fearing I would get motion sickness. To me that said: something ain’t right upstairs.
The permanent motion sickness cure that changed my life
The very next day, I found a psychologist here in Boston who also specialized in hypnotherapy and immediately made an appointment. A few sessions later and I was cured of my motion sickness, completely, 100%. I kid you not.
I couldn’t believe it myself. My husband couldn’t believe it. Even the doctor—who had worked mostly with compulsive eaters, those with phobias, and chronic pain sufferers, but never anyone with motion sickness—was shocked by my transformation.
I was making myself sick
Can I explain how psychology helped cure my seemingly physical ailment? Not exactly. But the fact that my therapist diagnosed me with agoraphobia might help.
As it turns out, much of my nausea was the result of anxiety. Anxiety that was caused by the fear of getting motion sickness. I was literally making myself sick.
Also read: Why Salerno makes the best base for your Amalfi Coast trip
Now I know you’re thinking that can’t be true. That some of the motion sickness must’ve actually come from the imbalance between visual and internal perceptions. That some of the motion sickness was indeed physical.
And that’s what I thought too. I thought maybe hypnotherapy could help with the anxiety-induced nausea, but that I’d still never get to ride on a boat with barfing. Until I did. And then did again. And again. Boats! Boats! Boats!
I tell you this to say: no matter how much you believe your motion sickness is purely physical, hypnotherapy is worth a shot. You never know until you try and all you have to lose is your copay.
Also, what if. What if it does work? What if it changes your life and you’re free to travel as you please? Or what if you could finally go on a cruise or roller coaster or reenact Free Willy out on the high seas?
What hypnotherapy is not
Hypnotherapy is (likely) nothing like your preconceived notions. It is not making you cluck like a chicken. It is also not making you moon someone when you hear a doorbell. No one is going to swing a pocket watch in front of you and they’re not going to say things like, “You are getting verrrrry sleepy.”
When I started seeing my doctor, I became the patient of an actual, licensed clinical psychologist who just happened to use hypnotherapy as one of her treatment methods, not a kook from a late-night TV ad.
Hypnotherapy is not scary and, despite popular belief, you’re conscious and in control the entire time. You’re awake and lucid and interacting with your doctor. You’re not being manipulated or brainwashed. You won’t be forced into any unpleasant or embarrassing situations. That’s what the gynecologist is for.
What hypnotherapy is
The hypnotherapy page on Psychology Today gives a pretty great summary of what to expect. Basically, hypnotherapy is a form of guided meditation in which you learn to use your thoughts to combat real-world issues.
You know how sometimes you’ll drive a long distance and realize you have no idea how you got there? That’s hypnosis. You don’t remember the drive because your thoughts were focused elsewhere, but obviously you stopped at all the red lights, turned where you were supposed to, and didn’t kill anyone. You were focused inward mentally yet operating physically.
What to expect at hypnotherapy
While every patient and doctor and treatment plan is unique, here’s what I experienced, just to give you an idea.
During hypnosis, I was guided into a seriously relaxed state (the most relaxed I’ve ever been actually) and presented with certain real-life situations. I was then guided through solutions to those problems that would help change the way I perceived troublesome situations in real life.
The entire time, I was conversing with my doctor, in total control, and able to wake up and walk out if I so pleased. (But again, I didn’t want to because it as the most relaxed I’ve ever been.)
Every person is different
As with all types of medical intervention, every patient is unique. For me, it took only a couple of sessions before I was completely motion sickness-free. I can still remember the first time I noticed it working.
My husband was driving and I was in the passenger seat. (I think I’ve figured out where the anxiety comes from…) I could feel my stomach start to tighten up and I knew I was getting sick.
So, I used what my doctor had taught me and I could physically feel the motion sickness vanish. I had just used my mind to get rid of a physical sensation. Am I a Jedi after all?
Life after finding my permanent motion sickness cure
Immediately after my sessions I was able to be a passenger in a car (in the backseat even!), fly on a plane without sleep-inducing drugs, ride on a train facing backwards, ride on the subway standing up, and sail the stormy seas on a boat without a revolving door of strangers thanking me for chumming the waters, har har.
I’ve even started reading in the car while my husband drives. Did you hear me? I said reading in the car.
I’ve been on boats all over Hawaii, Belize, Italy, France, Austria, Czechia, Mexico, Belgium, Norway, Bahamas, New Zealand, you name it. If there’s a boat, I’m getting on it. I’ve been on a cruise, taken all-day fishing trips and snorkeling excursions. I’ve ridden countless roller coasters, trains, and even a hot air balloon!
Motion sickness is a non-issue now
What it all boils down to is: motion sickness is not even an issue for my anymore. I never think about it anymore, plain and simple. I don’t have to pack pills or barf bags or stress about always knowing where the nearest restroom is. And I don’t have to worry about being “that girl” who grosses everyone out in the NYC subway—and there’s some pretty stiff competition down there.
What used to be a near-constant struggle is now barely a past recollection of the way life used to be. As of this update, it’s now been 10 years since my hypnotherapist cured me of motion sickness for good. TEN YEARS, people! I haven’t gotten motion sickness in over TEN YEARS. No one is more shocked by this fact than yours truly.
Also read: Oahu Bucket List: 49+ of the Coolest Things To Do in Oahu, Hawaii
How to find a hypnotherapist
First of all, know that hypnotherapy is sometimes covered by your health insurance (yay) and sometimes it’s not (boo). When I made the decision to try hypnotherapy, finding my doctor was super easy. For us here in the United States, there are two things you can do:
1. Find one through your insurance
At the time, I was able to log into my insurance website and search for doctors in my city whose profiles contained the words “hypnotherapy” or “hypnosis.” Unfortunately, the insurance company I’m with now doesn’t list that as an option so finding one just requires another step.
2. Find one through Psychology Today
Go to psychologytoday.com. In the blue bar near the top, enter your city or zip code. When the list of available doctors comes up, click the blue button that says “All Filters.” Scroll down to “Types of Therapy” and check the “Hypnotherapy” box. Feel free to also filter for other preferences like your insurance company, preferred gender of your therapist, etc. Then hit “Show # Therapists” at the bottom right.
The results that follow will show all licensed therapists in your chosen area that list “hypnotherapy” as one of their treatment methods. Read through their profiles and choose a doctor (or two) that you think would be a good match. (It’s time to get super judgy.) You can email them directly from their profile.
My personal hypnotherapist: Over the years, I have been asked soooo many times about the psychologist I personally used to cure my motion sickness and I’m sad to say that this medical genius has since retired. Believe me, I wish I could send you to her! I told her if she ever wanted to get back to it I’d have a long list of patients for her.
Will hypnotherapy work for you?
Well, I can’t really answer that. Hypnotherapy is known to be generally effective, but as with any kind of therapy, you get back what you put into it.
You need to want it
If you don’t want to be hypnotized, hypnotherapy won’t work for you. A hypnotherapist can’t hypnotize you against your will. It’s a two-way street here.
For hypnotherapy to work, you have to be serious about wanting to change and willing to try. For instance, if a person truly loves smoking (ew), hypnotherapy will not help them stop.
It’s okay to be skeptical
Don’t think that because your inner voice is all, “Pshh this isn’t gonna work,” that hypnotherapy can’t help you. I feel like everyone’s a little skeptical, right? I definitely was, especially trying everything else under the sun. But I was willing to give it a try.
Amateurs welcome
You don’t need to be a master meditator for hypnosis to work for you. I know this because I’m not one. I imagine if you’re someone who already meditates on the regular, getting yourself into a trance-like state is probably easier for you than it is for someone who has never meditated.
Besides, hypnosis is a guided process. Your therapist will walk you through the entire thing and all you have to do is relax, follow commands, and use your imagination. You’ll be amazed at how your brain works.
How I used hypnotherapy again
My life was so drastically changed when I discovered a permanent motion sickness cure in hypnotherapy that I wanted to try it again.
From a very young age, I had been extremely arachnophobic. My fear of spiders irrationally affected almost every aspect of my daily life. And being that I’d just moved from the city into the ‘burbs surrounded by nature preserve, I was now living my nightmare.
My arachnophobia breaking point was the day a (tiny) spider crawled across my dashboard while I was driving, causing me to almost crash my car. I made it out with just a sob-fueled roadside panic attack and the desire to burn my car to the ground. I mean, that is the only solution, right?
Arachnophobia: Also cured
I decided to go back to my hypnotherapist and see what she could do about my spider issues. Just a few months later, this happened:
Long story short, spiders are not an issue for me anymore. They’re not something I even think about. Now, we coexist out here in the ‘burbs and it’s a beautiful thing. Seriously, I’ll see one in my house and just say hey and thank it for keeping the other bugs out and let it get on with its life.
Needless to say, I can’t swear by hypnotherapy enough.
Got questions about my permanent motion sickness cure?
I realize this is a super weird topic that invites many questions. If you have questions about using hypnotherapy as a permanent motion sickness cure, please don’t hesitate to ask them in the comments; someone else is probably wondering the same thing.
Again, I’m not a doctor—and I’m purely speaking from personal experience. All photos in this blog post brought to you by my hypnotherapy miracle cure.
More info for your next trip
Like this post? Have questions about permanently curing your motion sickness? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
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I can not tell you how excited I am to hear this worked. I have an irrational fear that I would love to be able to conquer (as well as the motion sickness) and I was wondering if you have to talk a lot about the particular phobia or can you just say you have a fear you want to end? I am just loving your blog and I am looking forward to reading it all!
Hi Val, I’m sure no therapist out there would pressure you into talking about something you don’t feel comfortable talking about. I’d say it would be worth talking to one, explaining that you don’t want to be specific, and see what y’all can accomplish. I think it could work (though I’m not a professional).
Hi Ashley,
Thank you again for your very informative travel guidance. I also love to travel (and also love fishing). Your writing and anecdotes are great. My latest trip was to Dubai which I Ioved, and I used some of your travel suggestions. Looking forward to your next post.
The seasickness topic brought to mind my first fishing trip and getting seasick. What an experience to forget! I’ve been fishing many times since and thank goodness I have no more such issues. Self hypnosis? I don’t know, but I feel blessed. My feelings go out to your readers who experience this awful issue.
(Please find cures soon).
Susan
That’s all great to hear!
Awesome article! And totally me as well. The funny part is I actually know a little about self-hypnosis but never really thought about using it for motion sickness. Dumb! Anyway, I had been reading your Belize info on the blog when I encountered this. I’m currently planning a trip to Belize, and my very sweet travel agent has basically been telling me to just “Get on a damn boat!” My initial reluctance at water cabs was actually making my trip more expensive 🙂 He finally has me talked into going to Caye Caulker, so I’m going to take your advice here! Thanks again, and I love your blog. I used it for a trip to South Africa last year as well.
Haha – yes you should definitely get on a boat while in Belize! It will be worth it!
Thank you so much for this article, I am going to try it! As an Aussie living in London flying has been a hideous ordeal my whole life. I manage to last a max 5 hours without being ill and then it begins. Non stop vomit apocalypse, relentless even after I have crawled off the plane. I basically sit on the plane fasting with a garbage bag and multiple sick bags waiting for it to begin. Not a vibe haha.
Cheers Chrys
“Not a vibe”
I hope you can find someone near you and that it works as well for you as it did for me!
You mentioned that the first time it worked you had to actively think about reversing the nausea (going into that meditative state). Do you have to do that before/during every trip, or do you not even think about it anymore?
Hi Elizabeth! I did that at the beginning, but only had to for a short time. I don’t have to do that anymore. In fact, getting sick is not even on my mind at all when I get on a boat or train or car, etc.
Hi Ashley,
Thank you for the article! This sounds very similar to my symptoms with anxiety induced motion sickness. I am around the Boston area and would love to hear what doctor you used to help you.
Thank you!
Hi Dan! Then yes, you should definitely give this a try! Unfortunately my therapist has retired. And since I haven’t had to go back for more since, I don’t have anyone else I can personally recommend. Instead, I would just follow the instructions on how to find a hypnotherapist near you and check out the profiles. I’m sure you’ll find someone great! Remember, when I first saw my therapist, she had never considered hypnotherapy for motion sickness, so don’t be discouraged if the doctors you find say they’ve never done it.
Thank you so much for publishing this post. My motion sickness plight of 15+ years had recently gotten worse in the past few months and I was desperate for a cure. I researched them found a local therapist. I recently completed my second hypnotherapy session and was able to travel for a few hours in the car, ride in the very back of a mini van on windy roads, and enjoy a rocking chair! I’m encouraging all my friends to give hypnotherapy a try for whatever ails them! Thank you x 10000000! You’ve changed my life in the best way.
I am so, so, so happy to hear that Christina!! I’m so glad you gave hypnotherapy a try for your motion sickness and that it worked as well for you as it did me! I constantly preach hypnotherapy to anyone who will listen, haha. Enjoy your new life!
I literally burst into tears while reading your post. I feel ALL OF THIS. This whole post could have come directly from me. It affects everything I do. Just yesterday I got sick from *rocking a baby in a rocking chair*. That was yesterday at 3:00. I went home and slept for 14 hours. Now it’s 9:00 am and I am *still* feeling it!! On my way to work the question randomly popped into my head, “I wonder if someone could hypnotize me not to feel motion sickness?!” I Googled that sentence and got your post. I am going to look up hypnotherapists TODAY!!! I can’t thank you enough!!!
Hi Grant! I’m so happy you’re going to try hypnotherapy! It sounds like it could definitely work for you! Obviously, sorry you’re going through that but I’m glad you were able to connect that maybe hypnosis would work – it sounds like it was a similar story to mine. Good luck with the next steps!
Hi Ashley, did you experience motion sickness as a very young child as well? Or not until around 11 years old?
Hi Elizabeth, I am really not sure. But I distinctly remember getting sick on my first fishing trip and being totally confused as to what was happening, which makes me think that was my first time experiencing motion sickness. (It was my first time on a boat but obviously I had ridden in cars before.) That was at least the first traumatizing experience.
Could you explain more of what techniques your hypnotherapist used? What was at the root of your motion sickness? I’ve tried hypnotherapy for emetophobia, but it didn’t seem to help. I’m wondering if it was just me or my therapist.
Hi Megan – the root of my issues was anxiety. Basically, I was afraid of getting sick all the time that the anxiety made me sick, or at least think I was sick. It’s hard to explain the techniques she used, but also I imagine the techniques will be different for every person. I guess I could summarize it as: we used visualization techniques to reframe my perceptions of “bad” situations.
That’s so interesting that you tried it (I know someone else who suffers from emetrophobia but I don’t think she’s tried hypnotherapy). I would definitely try with another therapist, that could definitely be a factor.
Thanks for sharing this story! I used to have no issue travelling at all, buses, cars, planes, trains – I could read or look at my phone on all of them with no issue. I had a pretty traumatic experience last year where my bag containing most of my life was stolen on the way to the airport, including my passport. I had to get a several hour bus back to my family home and experienced motion sickness for the first time. Ever since then I’ve had quite debilitating motion sickness and have tried many of the things you talked about above. The link to this trauma makes me think there’s a big psychological contributor to my motion sickness. I’m so glad to hear of your success with hypnotherapy – this is something I’ll look into!
Hi Joseph! I’m not a doctor or anything but that sounds VERY related and I’d be willing to bet that is the cause. I, too, was robbed of all my belongings while traveling solo on a train in Italy and I have many anxiety issues as a result. I hope you try hypnotherapy! Best of luck 🙂
I could not stop reading this. Every symptom and sentence seemed like you were describing me! Even all the cures you tried and their consequences. Some things you didn’t mention that happen to me. My motion sickness or vertigo happen even when I’m not moving and it’s gotten worse. For example, I can’t watch movies that have handheld scenes. If a adverb is too big, handheld or not, too much movement and I get headachy, then dizzy then nauseous, within seconds! Recently, I can’t even tolerate scrolling. Yep, I mean scrolling on a website or app coz the icons or words or pictures move to fast and make me go “whoa. That’s nauseating!” I wanted to read your article because I’ve been contemplating hypnosis. Only thing I haven’t tried. I even had the same doctor experience giggling how to cure motion sickness! Not sure if virtual hypnosis would work. Worth checking out, don’t you think? I hope I get mine cured too. Your story gives me hope!
Ugh – I know exactly how you feel! I’m sorry you have to suffer through this. I hope you’re able to try hypnotherapy! And I hope it works for you. I haven’t tried virtual before but I would think it would work just the same as in-person. Definitely worth a shot. Best of luck Lanni!
OMG. This is the story of my life. glad i am not the only one. I am from india. I have no idea of hypotherapy here. Could you assist if your doctor treats online?
Ugh, so many people can relate! And actually my personal therapist recently retired. And I have no idea how to go about finding a doctor in India BUT even after just a quick search I was able to find tons of resources on hypnotherapy in India. Dip a little deeper and I bet you can find someone to work with!
Looks like I missed the original posting of (another) really thorough and informative article. I’m still laughing at the “pretty stiff competition” for the most-gross girl on the NYC subway. :).
It is estimated that we “humans” use a small percentage of our “available brain space” and certainly some use WAY less then others…. :).
But if we are able to tap into even a fraction of a percentage of parts of our brain that go underutilized – well results speak for themselves.
I also agree that hyponsis can help reach these places, deep meditation and the power of positive suggestions – work wonders in many peoples lives. I have also used hypnosis during my baseball playing days and found measurable success following those sessions. I’m reminded by your article that I could find a way to implement this tool again in a different part of my goal-planning today.
Thanks again for another positive / fact-filled article Ashley.
I agree with all that. I’m definitely a believer in that we have more control over things than we think we do and much of that is in utilizing the mind powers. I love to hear that you have used hypnotherapy! I’m such a fan. It solved two of my biggest life problems, I couldn’t be more grateful to have discovered it. I hope more people will be open to giving it a shot! There really is nothing to lose and everything to gain. 🙂
I’m a seafarer with extreme motion Sickness . And I’ve been blaming myself since my first sea service why the hell did i chose this career. I’m not expecting to cure this condition permanently cause right now I feel like dying in my bed and all I wanna do is teleport to the nearest land. But fuck! I need to wait for weeks to make this ship stop. Anyway thank you. I though I was a weird person for having this sever motion sickness but turn out I’m not the only one.
Man, I know just how you feel! Have you read the comments in this post? You’re definitely not alone!! I hope you find something that helps you. 🙂
I’m 33, and everything makes me sick. My dad, who is basically my best friend, doesn’t deal with motion sickness and his favorite thing to do is deep sea fish. This guy does nearly every weekend during the fishing months and everytime I try to go with him, I puke and we end the day before it even starts. My only wish is to enjoy this with him and I too have tried everything, to no avail. Looks like I just found one more thing to try. Hope it works!
My husband is the same way – motion sickness doesn’t bother him at all and he loves to go fishing. I hope you do try this and I hope it works! It was definitely my last resort too.
Wow this is LITERALLY me! Would you be able to get in contact, by chance, and tell me what boston psychologist you used Ashley? I live in Boston as well and have some amazing insurance!
I’ve heard from so many people who resonate with this so much! And hello fellow Bostonian. 🙂 The therapist who helped me has recently retired, unfortunately for us all! However, if you go to the “How to Choose a Doctor” section of this post, I show how to easily find one near you (us) who uses hypnotherapy. I suggest just choosing one you think you would like and start there! I hope everything works out for you HP!
HI again Ashley!
I took your suggestion and used the website to reach out to quite a few hypnotherapists, but absolutely none have worked with relieving motion sickness through hypnotherapy.
I was wondering if your doctor, worked with a special clinic/ facility that specializes in it–and I could try that route? Or was there a different term he/she referred to it as other than motion-sickness? I’d love to chat and get a little more info if you’re ok with that! I’m just hoping for a source I trust before I book an appointment with just anyone who doesn’t have experience.
Hi HP! I’ve responded to you privately, but just for everyone else reading these comments: When I began seeing my hypnotherapist, she, too, had never worked with a patient suffering from motion sickness. I was her very first and I’m glad she took a chance on me because it worked like a charm. She was able to treat my motion sickness the way she would’ve treated anyone else suffering from anxiety-induced physical symptoms.
Hi Ashley!! This article is literally exactly me. I have suffered from SEVERE motion sickness since I was 8 — I’m now 22. I never thought of hypnotherapy until reading your story. I’m curious how you found the right hypnotist? I have been searching for therapists who specialize in hypnotherapy but I can’t seem to find anything about experience in treating motion sickness. Any tips?
I’m laying in bed in my hotel room in Hawaii after a 5 hour catamaran boat ride that I spent “chumming the waters” pissed at myself for being such a little b****. I have always been very sceptical of hypnosis and even laughed whenever the “loose weight or stop smoking” hypnosis radio ads came on. But after hearing “just look at the horizon ” from every member on the boat for the entire ride while puking my $30 breakfast of the side and wishing I had my money back I’m ready to try anything because nothing else works. Your stories of back seats and embarrassing airport scenes hit home hard. I’ve always been told it an inner ear issue and I’m basically screwed. I plan on trying this when I get home. Thank you for your experience I hope I have similar results.
Well I. Feel. You. There.
I hope you do get to try it and I hope it works for you! Let me know how it goes!
Wow, we truly live parallel lives!! This sounds 100% like me in terms of motion sickness & humor, haha. I’ve thought about doing hypnotherapy in the past, but now I’m going to prioritize it. I had a particularly bad episode tonight and said that’s enough!! I will literally try anything at this point, hoping it works for me, too!!
Thanks again,
Nicole
Ugh, I was the same way! I was completely fed up and willing to try anything at that point (after a particularly bad episode too). Luckily it totally worked for me! I hope it works for you too 🙂
OMG I feel like I’m reading a story of myself except i am not cured lol I live in Tampa FL and LOVE the water and boating but i get sick every dang time but i keep trying cause i love it soooo much!
May I ask what therapist you used? I will travel, im at the point of idc what it costs
Hey Cydni! I totally feel you – I was the same way when I lived in Florida. But what’s the point of living there if you can’t enjoy the water, ugh! (I mostly just restricted my “boat” use to kayaking Weeki Wachee lol.) I saw a therapist up here in Boston but she is no longer practicing. But if you use the instructions at the bottom of the post, you can EASILY find one near where you live!
Thank you for putting up this site. I was looking for a permanent cure for motion sickness and I am now about to start hypnotherapy. You are awesome and keep up the good work. I hear acupuncture works for motion sickness as well but I am more a believe in the remedy you have proven so far. I have been scared of large guard dogs most of my life and I am now going to tackle these two problems at the same time.
Thanks again,
Abe
Hi Abe, that is so great! I’m glad you’re willing to try what actually worked for me. I hope you see the same results I did – with both of your issues! Thanks so much for letting me know!
Thanks Ashley. That was very helpful and encouraging. Very pleased that you got over it.Hopefully it will help me as well.
Good to hear Aniket! Good luck with finding a solution! Wishing you the best