Cybersickness

What is Cybersickness?

Cybersickness is a condition that people can experience with prolonged use of computers, smartphones, tablets, TVs, or other digital screens. It can occur when scrolling on a smartphone or computer or viewing a screen that another person is in control of scrolling, such as in a meeting presentation.

Symptoms, such as feeling nauseous and dizzy out of nowhere, can last for minutes, several hours, or even days after the sufferer has stopped looking at the screen.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. What is Cybersickness?
2. Key Takeaways
3. Cybersickness, Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
4. 15 Cybersickness Symptoms
5. What Causes Cybersickness?
6. Cybersickness vs. Motion Sickness
7. What are Cybersickness Glasses?
8. How to Prevent Cybersickness
9. Cybersickness Remedies
10. The Bottom Line
11. FAQs
12. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. What is Cybersickness?
2. Key Takeaways
3. Cybersickness, Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
Show Full Guide
4. 15 Cybersickness Symptoms
5. What Causes Cybersickness?
6. Cybersickness vs. Motion Sickness
7. What are Cybersickness Glasses?
8. How to Prevent Cybersickness
9. Cybersickness Remedies
10. The Bottom Line
11. FAQs
12. References

Cybersickness, Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality

Cybersickness tends to be more intense with the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies than it is when scrolling on a device.

VR immerses the user in an immersive 3D environment, using headsets that position a small screen over each eye. This blocks the user’s view of the real world, creating a disconnect between what they are seeing and the motion their body experiences in their physical environment.

For instance, a player in a VR game may sit or stand while experiencing fast-paced action, which can be disorienting and trigger cybersickness.

Meanwhile, AR projects simulated elements onto the real-world environment, so users can still see their physical surroundings. But this can also cause eye strain as the brain attempts to reconcile the on-screen motion with the body’s movement and adjust eye position.

Research suggests that VR exposure typically results in more disorientation than nausea and eye strain symptoms, whereas AR use tends to result in more eye strain than disorientation and nausea. Studies have also found that as many as 40% to 70% of people experience some form of cybersickness when using VR or AR, also known as extended reality (XR).

The increased adoption of VR and AR in the workplace, training, education, and entertainment over the coming years could result in a rise in cybersickness. People who are prone to motion sickness are likely to experience cybersickness that could prevent them from being able to use the technology.

15 Cybersickness Symptoms

The effects of cybersickness are similar to motion sickness, affecting individuals in different ways.

Symptoms include:

What Causes Cybersickness?

Researchers are not entirely sure why some people suffer from varying levels of cybersickness, but the widespread theory is that cybersickness is caused by contradictions in the sensory input from the eyes, inner ear (related to head movement and balance), and the rest of the body.

As the information that the eyes receive indicates different movements to the information received from the body, the brain struggles to reconcile the mismatch in inputs and regulate vision and balance – causing the nausea, dizziness and other symptoms of cybersickness.

For example, certain images can trigger cybersickness if the background is static while there is movement in the foreground.

Factors that can exacerbate cybersickness include:

Cybersickness vs. Motion Sickness

Cybersickness is similar to motion sickness in being triggered by conflicting sensory signals, and there is an overlap in the symptoms such as lightheadedness and nausea. But the key difference is that motion sickness is caused by physical movement, such as traveling in a vehicle. The inner ear can detect motion, but the eyes cannot see it. Cybersickness is the opposite – the eyes detect motion, but the body cannot feel it.

While motion sickness occurs in real life, cybersickness occurs in digital environments. In both cases, focusing on a steady object can help to resolve the sensory mismatch.

In the same way that some people are more likely than others to experience motion sickness, some people are more likely to suffer from cybersickness.

What are Cybersickness Glasses?

There are specialized types of eyewear designed to reduce the symptoms of motion sickness and digital screen exposure that could potentially help with cybersickness symptoms.

Anti-motion sickness glasses have four rims filled partially with blue liquid rather than lenses. This liquid moves as the vehicle does, readjusting the wearer’s eyes with their balance. There is a lack of research, but anecdotal evidence suggests they work for some people.

There are also blue-light glasses – which are designed to minimize eye strain by filtering the blue light emitted from digital screens – although there are conflicting views on their effectiveness.

How to Prevent Cybersickness

Prevention is better than cure, and it is easier to avoid developing cybersickness symptoms than to suffer until they subside.

These steps can help:

• Limit screen time
• Take frequent breaks to refocus your eyes
• Get up to stretch/change position
• Maintain good posture
• Avoid using multiple screens simultaneously
• Adjust screen settings to reduce eye strain
• Avoid flashing imagery
• Scroll slowly
• Avoid heavy meals before prolonged device use
• Avoid using screens in poorly ventilated rooms or moving vehicles
• Use a high-quality headset with smooth visuals for VR
• Do not use VR if you suffer from motion sickness

Cybersickness Remedies

If you do start experiencing symptoms, there are things you can do:

• Step away from the screen
• Look at a stationary object
• Adjust your posture to minimize strain
• Take long, deep breaths to calm the nausea
• Drink water to stay hydrated and calm your system
• Lie down to help stabilize your senses
• Take over-the-counter medication for motion sickness, headaches, or nausea

If your symptoms are frequent or intense, you may need to see a doctor for further treatment.

The Bottom Line

Cybersickness, by definition, is a feeling of discomfort or illness that people can experience when using screens to interact with digital environments. It has similar symptoms to motion sickness, such as dizziness and nausea, but it is triggered by sensory mismatches resulting from digital experiences rather than physical movement.

Cybersickness can be prevented and managed by reducing screen time, adjusting display settings, maintaining good posture, and taking regular breaks.

FAQs