Cited by 393Vestibular and auditory disordersNausea and vomiting managementVirtual Reality Applications and Impacts

Motion Sickness: An Evolutionary Hypothesis

Treisman, Michel·1977·Science

Abstract

Since the occurrence of vomiting as a response to motion is both widespread and apparently disadvantageous, it presents a problem for evolutionary theory. An hypothesis is proposed suggesting that motion sickness is triggered by difficulties which arise in the programming of movements of the eyes or head when the relations between the spatial frameworks defined by the visual, vestibular, or proprioceptive inputs are repeatedly and unpredictably perturbed. Such perturbations may be produced by certain types of motion, or by disturbances in sensory input or motor control produced by ingested toxins. The last would be the important cause in nature, the main function of the emesis being to rid the individual of ingested neurotoxins. Its occurrence in response to motion would be an accidental byproduct of this system.

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.301659

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5 of 5 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The evolutionary theory holds that motion sickness is essentially a response to poisoning.

    “The evolutionary theory holds that motion sickness is essentially a response to poisoning (Money 1990; Treisman 1977).”

    From Motion sickness: more than nausea and vomiting (2014) · cites this paper as Treisman 1977

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Authors
Treisman, M.
Affiliations
University of Oxford (GB)
Corresponding author
Treisman, Michel
Venue
Science
Published
1977-07-29
Volume
197
Issue
4302
Pages
493-495
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2083077785
Cited by
393
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 9
FWCI
1.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vestibular and auditory disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Nausea and vomiting management
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
Keywords
motion sickness, vomiting, evolutionary hypothesis, vestibular system, visual perception, proprioception, sensory integration, neurotoxins, sensory perturbation
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Biological Evolution, Eye Movements, Humans, Motion Sickness, Nausea, Orientation, Proprioception, Vestibule, Labyrinth

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