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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Assessing the Autonomic and Behavioral Effects of Passive Motion in Rats using Elevator Vertical Motion and Ferris-Wheel Rotation

Assessing the Autonomic and Behavioral Effects of Passive Motion in Rats using Elevator Vertical Motion and Ferris-Wheel Rotation

Published on: February 7, 2020

Motion sickness, stress and the endocannabinoid system.

Alexander Choukèr¹, Ines Kaufmann, Simone Kreth

¹Department of Anesthesiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.

|May 28, 2010

Summary

Motion sickness is linked to reduced endocannabinoid system activity, impacting stress and nausea. Enhancing this system may offer new treatments for motion sickness.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Human Physiology
Pharmacology

Background:

Motion sickness affects many individuals during travel, causing significant stress and nausea.
The neurobiological mechanisms underlying motion sickness remain unclear.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) modulates stress and nausea, with inhibitory effects mediated by endocannabinoid-receptor activation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the activity of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in humans experiencing motion sickness during parabolic flight.
To determine the relationship between stress, motion sickness, and endocannabinoid levels and receptor expression.

Main Methods:

Studied 21 human volunteers during parabolic flight maneuvers simulating microgravity.
Measured blood levels of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) at various points during and after flight.
Assessed cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) mRNA expression in leukocytes post-flight.

Main Results:

Volunteers experiencing motion sickness exhibited higher stress scores and lower endocannabinoid levels.
Anandamide levels significantly decreased in motion sickness subjects but increased in others.
CB1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in individuals with motion sickness compared to those without.

Conclusions:

Human stress and motion sickness are associated with impaired endocannabinoid activity.
The findings suggest a role for the ECS in the pathophysiology of motion sickness.
Enhancing ECS signaling could be a potential therapeutic strategy for motion sickness.