If you were to blast off for space, one of the first things that might happen to your body is space adaptation syndrome, also known as space sickness. A constellation of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and headaches, are all common reactions to space travel, with Smithsonian Magazine reporting 70–90% of space shuttle passengers experiencing at least some level of space sickness.
Space sickness is not infectious but instead might be thought of as similar to car sickness. The sensation of weightlessness can cause misalignment between what the eyes observe and what the inner ears feel, leading to dizziness and retching. The parabolic flights used to simulate zero gravity for astronauts and civilians alike are nicknamed “vomit comets” for just this reason.
Some medications can help, but they may also come with their own symptoms, like drowsiness, which might be something a spacecraft pilot would be keen to avoid. There are also some behaviors the crew can adopt to prevent triggering space sickness, such as agreeing to remain right-side-up with respect to the spacecraft and each other.
The good news is that the human body is incredibly adaptable and usually learns to compensate for the lack of gravity within a day or two. The bad news? Returning to Earth can trigger the whole thing all over again in the form of “gravity sickness.”
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