Ginger for Motion Sickness on mythbusters

Last night on the show mythbusters they were working on motion sickness. They built a replica of the NASA motion sickness chair. You sit in it blindfolded and it rotates. As it spins you then tilt your head all the way forward, then all the way to one side, all the way to the other side, then all the way back. You repeat that *LITERALLY* ad nauseum. They tested remedies. There were two guys who would get seasick in the chair, these poor guys did it repeatedly to test the different "cures". One guy would get it in about 3 minutes, the other about 20. Off they went, Electric wrist bands - no change in time to seasickness Some sort of spray - no change Ginger - they both lasted 30 minutes at which point they stopped the tests and called it victory - this was the arbitrary standard they used in the beginning to see of others would get seasick. Placebo - one guy no change, the less sensitive guy lasted 30 minutes. Over the counter pills - they both lasted 30 minutes but there was a very entertaining interview afterward when both guys were obviously VERY loopy. They did not mention if the pill was "original" dramamine or the new "less drowsy" dramamine. The newer one is a large improvement but still does make you drowsy. I learned about ginger here, and thought you guys would like to know.
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  • Originally posted by gemich Did they try the prescription drug Scopolamine ? It's a patch that has worked for me on a number of longer distance open water relay swims where the swells have been a little much. I've never used scopolamine, but I'd like to know if you noted any of the side affects. "Structurally similar to the nerve substance acetylcholine, scopolamine acts by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses by acetylcholine in the parasympathetic nervous system and produces symptoms typical of parasympathetic system depression: dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, and dry skin, mouth, and respiratory passages. Because scopolamine depresses the central nervous system, it is used as a sedative prior to anesthesia and as an antispasmodic in certain disorders characterized by restlessness and agitation, e.g., delirium tremens, psychosis, mania, and Parkinsonism." Maybe I'll try the ginger...
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  • Originally posted by gemich Did they try the prescription drug Scopolamine ? It's a patch that has worked for me on a number of longer distance open water relay swims where the swells have been a little much. I've never used scopolamine, but I'd like to know if you noted any of the side affects. "Structurally similar to the nerve substance acetylcholine, scopolamine acts by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses by acetylcholine in the parasympathetic nervous system and produces symptoms typical of parasympathetic system depression: dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, and dry skin, mouth, and respiratory passages. Because scopolamine depresses the central nervous system, it is used as a sedative prior to anesthesia and as an antispasmodic in certain disorders characterized by restlessness and agitation, e.g., delirium tremens, psychosis, mania, and Parkinsonism." Maybe I'll try the ginger...
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