The nausea and disorientation you feel when playing video games is a common physical reaction known as “cybersickness” or “simulation sickness.” This is a form of motion sickness, particularly common in first-person games. It results from a sensory mismatch that confuses the brain. Your body is perfectly still, but your eyes are seeing an environment in motion, and this mixed message triggers the feeling of illness.
The Sensory Conflict Theory
The core biological explanation for this discomfort is the sensory conflict theory. This theory posits that the brain receives contradictory signals from two major sensory systems: the eyes and the inner ear. The visual system detects movement, speed, and acceleration on the screen, suggesting the body is moving through space.
Simultaneously, the vestibular system, located in the inner ear, detects no actual movement because the player is sitting still. The vestibular system acts as the body’s balance mechanism, sensing gravity and head position. When the eyes perceive motion and the inner ear reports stillness, the brain receives conflicting data about the body’s state.
The brain interprets this sensory mismatch as a sign of poisoning or intoxication. Historically, ingesting neurotoxins caused similar visual distortion and lack of coordination. To protect the body, the brain initiates a protective response, which includes symptoms like nausea and vomiting to expel the suspected poison.
Specific Video Game Settings That Increase Nausea
Certain visual and technical aspects in video game design significantly amplify this sensory conflict. A primary factor is a low or unstable frame rate, typically below 30 frames per second (FPS). This causes the on-screen action to appear stuttered or jerky, making it harder for the brain to process the perceived motion and increasing disorientation.
Another common issue is a narrow Field of View (FOV) setting, which limits the player’s peripheral vision. When a narrow FOV fills a large screen, it intensely focuses the perceived movement and removes stable visual references from the real world. Increasing the FOV can reduce sickness by allowing the player to see more of the simulated environment at once, which is less jarring.
In-game effects like “Head Bob” or “Camera Shake” are designed to enhance realism. However, this artificial, rhythmic camera movement directly conflicts with the player’s stationary head, triggering the vestibular system. Games featuring rapid acceleration or deceleration, such as driving or flying sequences, can also overwhelm the brain with intense visual speed changes without corresponding physical sensations.
Practical Strategies for Relief and Prevention
Adjusting the game’s settings is often the most effective step in mitigating cybersickness. If available, increase the Field of View (FOV) to provide a wider, less overwhelming view. Also, disable visual effects such as motion blur, head bob, and camera shake in the game’s options menu, as these artificial movements confuse the inner ear.
Environmental and Behavioral Adjustments
Several environmental and behavioral changes can reduce the likelihood of feeling nauseous:
- Increase the distance between yourself and the screen. This reduces the amount of your visual field the moving image occupies, allowing your brain to register more of the stationary room around you.
- Play in a well-lit room. This provides the eyes with a stable, real-world visual reference point, counteracting the simulated movement.
- Take frequent, short breaks, ideally every 15 to 30 minutes, to allow your sensory systems time to reset. During breaks, focus on a distant, fixed object.
- Direct a small fan toward your face while playing. The subtle tactile sensation of airflow provides a physical cue that helps reduce the sensory conflict.
- Consider consuming ginger, either as a tea, candy, or supplement, as it is a traditional remedy for motion-related nausea.