Researchers have revealed that listening to cheerful music during travel can reduce motion sickness symptoms by up to 57.3%, while calm music alleviated symptoms by 56.7%.

A study conducted by researchers from Southwest University of China also found that emotional music helped ease discomfort by 48.3%. However, surprisingly, sad music had the opposite effect, with listeners improving by only 40%, which is even less than the group that did not listen to any music at all (43.3%).

These findings could open new avenues for addressing this problem that affects 20% of adults worldwide.

This is the first study of its kind to measure the impact of different musical styles on travel sickness symptoms.

Dr. Chizhong Yu, the lead researcher, explained that “music represents a non-invasive, low-cost, and personalized intervention strategy to combat motion sickness,” noting that traditional medications often come with side effects such as drowsiness.

Researchers explain that calm music helps relax the body and reduce tension that exacerbates symptoms, while cheerful music distracts attention and activates the brain’s reward system. Conversely, sad music may enhance negative emotions and increase discomfort.

The study involved 30 participants who underwent an experiment in a driving simulator, where their brain responses were measured using EEG devices. Researchers observed clear changes in the occipital lobe of the brain during motion sickness episodes, opening the door to developing new methods to detect and measure this condition in real-time.

These results are not limited to car travel but can also benefit those suffering from seasickness or airsickness. So, on your next trip, don’t forget to prepare a playlist of cheerful songs, as this might be the best way to avoid motion sickness and enjoy a smoother, more comfortable journey.