Experiencing Extreme Thrills: Roller Coasters and Nausea
Ever had the misfortune of throwing up on a roller coaster? It’s a real story!
The question you might be asking is, 'Have you ever thrown up on a roller coaster?' The answer in my case is yes, unfortunately. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, and it happened when I was just 13. I had my first-ever ride on Kraken at SeaWorld, which I consider one of the worst coasters ever conceived. Kraken featured a relentless mix of headbanging and an excessive number of loops that seemed unnecessary for any roller coaster.
Looking back, I blame both the headbanging and the loops. Before the ride, I had eaten lunch, but as usual, that hadn’t been a problem beforehand. After the ride, I rushed to the nearest restroom and promptly threw up. This wasn’t a one-time occurrence; I’ve only puked during one other ride, which was on Mission Space’s Orange side. Thankfully, barf bags were available for such occasions.
Another time that comes to mind was after Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom. I was around 8 or 9 years old, and while I almost felt like I might vomit, I still managed to get on the ride. Despite the close call, I continue to ride Space Mountain on every visit.
More recently, I attended a fair where I rode several rides. After a few, I started to feel exhausted and needed to stop. Heightened motion and sensory overload can lead to feelings of nausea. Wishing for a reprieve, I found a place to stop and used a Ziploc bag to empty my stomach.
Interestingly, I haven’t thrown up because of a roller coaster ride, but I have passed out on one. The incident took place at Six Flags Over Texas. I was already on the verge of an anxiety attack, but my nephew encouraged me to give it a try. He mentioned that you only have to ride it once and it lasts a mere minute. Feeling compelled, I sat next to him and he held my hand. When I passed out, he mistakenly thought I had fainted due to the thrill of the ride. I don’t remember much of the experience, but I do remember his compassion post-ride.
Lastly, I must share a childhood memory from the tilt-a-whirl. As a kid, I ended up throwing up both purple slushies and hotdogs everywhere. When we arrived home, I was still dizzy and continued to throw up several times in bed. It was a messy but memorable adventure.
Roller coasters are a joy for some, but not all. The intense physical sensations can lead to various physical responses, from the common act of throwing up to more severe conditions like passing out. If you're prone to motion sickness or anxiety, perhaps you should take precautions or discussions with loved ones before attempting certain rides. Enjoy your amusement park experiences, but stay safe and aware!