Podcast: Motion sickness? There's a new drug to calm your queasiness

By Cameron English and ChuckDinerstein — Aug 19, 2026

Motion sickness has plagued travelers for centuries, yet the standard remedies remain largely unchanged—often leaving users drowsy, dry-mouthed and unfocused. A new drug in late-stage trials targets the root cause: a sensory mismatch between what the eyes see and what the inner ear senses. The brain interprets this conflict as possible poisoning and triggers vomiting. In a Phase 3 boat-trip study, it cut vomiting rates from 44% on placebo to 18%. Could this finally offer travelers real relief without the side effects?

Image by ACSH using AI

Join us on the Science Dispatch podcast as we discuss:

Seasick? Airsick? There's a new drug for that. Finally.

Motion sickness has been making travelers miserable for as long as humans have been climbing aboard boats. Despite that, the medicines we rely on today have changed surprisingly little—until now. But the real question is whether the new drug will let my wife snorkel without turning the same color as a moray eel.

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Cameron English

Executive Vice President

Cameron English is a writer, editor and co-host of the Science Facts and Fallacies Podcast. Before joining ACSH, he was managing editor at the Genetic Literacy Project.