Yes, I said belly button.

May 3, 2007 3:32 PM

Is there any truth to the myth that you can stave off sea sickness by rubbing Vicks VapoRub in your belly button?

One of my professors mentioned this apparently well-known fisherman's remedy to relieve nausea and sea sickness. I'm looking for any background to this, if anyone has tried it first hand, and also, by what physiological mechanism is this possible?

posted by Asherah to grab bag (12 comments total)

Mythbusters did a show on motion sickness remedies. Most of them were bunk. If anything, most had only a placebo effect. The only two exceptions were commercial drugs (Dramamine) and ginger pills. They did not try the Vicks myth you mention probably because it isn't well known but it sounds like bunk.
posted by chairface at 3:39 PM on May 3, 2007

First, you should realize that both phrenic and vagus nerves nerve endings originate in the area around the umbilicus. Phrenic and vagus nerve stimulation has been associated with diminished anxiety and the stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which triggers an increase in blood flow to the digestive organs.

Second, you should realize that both people on the internet AND people in real life are trying to fuck with you.
posted by 517 at 3:45 PM on May 3, 2007 [2 favorites]

I can personally attest to trying this and then chumming the waters for much of the trip, so in this non-scientific sample of one, I think the myth is busted.

(Anybody ever had REVERSE seasickness? Where you get acclimated to the boat and you aren't sick on the water but as soon as you get back on shore you start heaving? Or maybe it was too much sun and beer...)
posted by BitterOldPunk at 3:48 PM on May 3, 2007

I'm one of those people who gets violently seasick. As a result, I've tried lots and LOTS of different things to avoid it, and I can tell you for a fact that it does not work. You can add to the list of things that don't work: Seabands, eating chocolate, eating lightly beforehand, moving to the center of the boat, steering the boat, eating lots of bread, or wearing special sunglasses.

The Vicks was probably the worst of anything I've tried. It actually made me feel worse - not only was I nauseated, but I felt greasy and nasty from from the Vicks. In my case, the recommendation was to put it on my upper lip - never heard of putting it on your belly button.

The only thing that has ever worked for me is fresh pickled ginger. Lots of it. Or just getting into the water and off of the boat. Or not on the boat at all.
posted by sephira at 4:33 PM on May 3, 2007

I than Dramamine, the only technique that works is staring at the horizion.
posted by MonkeySaltedNuts at 4:54 PM on May 3, 2007

(Anybody ever had REVERSE seasickness? Where you get acclimated to the boat and you aren't sick on the water but as soon as you get back on shore you start heaving? Or maybe it was too much sun and beer...)

Yes. On both counts.
posted by IronLizard at 5:20 PM on May 3, 2007

Anybody ever had REVERSE seasickness?

Not seasickness but reverse airsickness. I fly Chicago-Hong Kong a couple times a year and, about half the time, I'm nauseous for a couple hours after we land. I never get airsick but I do, apparently, get groundsick.
posted by nathan_teske at 5:56 PM on May 3, 2007

I get terribly seasick, and Bonine works best for me (you can get is at the pharmacy). It was recommended to me by a guy in the Coast Guard who referred to Dramamine (by comparison) as "candy."

The only downside is that is made me sleepier than Dramamine. Absolutely do not exceed recommended dosage.
posted by 4ster at 6:31 PM on May 3, 2007

I have recently heard of a new technique to cure sea sickness. It's aparently a secret from the navy. You need to completly block out 1 of your ears. My mother has always gotten extremely seasick and avoided boats. Dad recently bought a boat and begged her to try this technique. She was adament it wouldn't work but was completely amazed that it did. She still can't believe it. I've heard similar results from other people. The trick seems to be to get a good ear plug to form a seal. And only block the one ear. I have no idea how this works scientificially as your inner ear is the balance organ, but it's worth a try. And it's free! Probably best to put it in before you get on the boat. If anyone tries it be sure to let us know!
posted by chilli_cat at 9:48 PM on May 3, 2007

MonkeySaltedNuts has it. The only thing I've found (besides dramamine) is keeping an eye on the horizon. Dramamine is best, though. Do NOT go below to lay down; that's the worst thing you can do when seasick, unless you wanna get sicker.
posted by wsg at 12:45 AM on May 4, 2007

There are a lot of things that work a little (steering the boat, don't eat greasy food), but the only thing that will really help you is anti-nausea drugs like dramamine.
Unfortunately, they also knock you out pretty good. I can heartily recommend the combination dramamine/amphetamine patches, but of course you will need a prescription for those.
posted by atrazine at 2:55 AM on May 4, 2007

whoops, the patches are scopolamine, not dramamine.
posted by atrazine at 3:23 AM on May 4, 2007