What Happens To Your Body When You Ride A Roller Coaster
There are two types of people in this world. Those who think riding a roller coaster is the absolute best way to spend a day — and those who would do anything to avoid even being in the presence of thes monstrous machines. No matter what category you identify with, your body will likely experience similar effects when you are strapped in and hear the knowing tick, tick, tick of the coaster climbing upwards.
According to The Conversation, our bodies experience physical signs of fear such as a pounding heart, faster breathing, and an energy boost when we become passengers on a roller coaster. This happens because of the body's fear-induced release of glucose, which we identify as the "fight or flight response."
Whether it's mixed with pleasure or dread, the fear you have on roller coasters is no doubt very real. Though luckily, these days, roller coasters are safer than ever before. TedEd claims that while whiplash and injury can still happen, modern-day roller coasters are designed around gravitational energy allowing roller coasters to become scarier and safer at the same time.
Feeling light-headed or queasy is included with the ticket price
Knowing that you are safe will hopefully make the ride more enjoyable. That being said, your body is still subject to reacting to a roller coaster's strength. Typically, the body can handle up to 5 G's of gravitational force, says TedEd. When a coaster exceeds that limit, then blood is sent from your brain and down to your feet making light-headedness and even black outs a common occurrence.
In addition to possible black outs, you may also start to feel a little queasy. So be aware of your liquid intake, warns Michael Longley, M.D., emergency medicine specialist and medical director at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (WLRN). "When your body is moving, accelerating, decelerating up and down, umm, your stomach is doing the same thing, your intestines are doing the same thing, and the increase in motion and the fluid wave that may be inside your belly from a 22-ounce beer, or even a soda, or whatever liquid you so choose to drink, will really enhance those sensations," he shares.
Love them or hate them, roller coasters will likely induce a noticeable response from your body. It's up to you if after hearing these responses, you still want to strap in and hear that knowing tick, tick, tick.