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How to Get Motion Sickness From Iracing

Answers ‘how to get motion sickness from iracing’ for iRacing drivers: causes, quick in-sim fixes, and tips to stop nausea fast so you can race comfortably again.

If you’re searching for how to get motion sickness from iracing, you’re in the right place. Short answer: you usually don’t want to — motion sickness in iRacing is caused by visual/physical mismatch (wrong FOV, camera motion, stutter, or VR refresh issues). Below are simple explanations and direct fixes to stop it fast.

how to get motion sickness from iracing (Quick Answer)

Motion sickness happens when your eyes see movement the inner ear doesn’t feel, or when the image is unstable. In iRacing that’s most often from a wrong field-of-view (FOV), camera/head motion, low or inconsistent frame rates, or VR refresh/ASW settings. Fix those and the nausea usually goes away.

What’s really going on

Your brain expects a match between what your eyes see and what your body feels. In sim racing the mismatch comes from:

  • FOV (field of view): if the in-game camera makes the track or wheel look too large or small compared to reality, your brain is confused.
  • Camera/head movement and motion blur: extra camera shake or slow smoothing adds artificial motion.
  • Frame-rate stutter or low FPS: jerky frames create visual conflict.
  • VR specifics: low refresh rate, reprojection (ASW), or incorrect IPD causes stronger sickness.

You won’t fix this by skill alone — the settings and hardware are usually the cause. Now the direct steps.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Match your FOV: use an FOV calculator or the in-car method (set wheel size on screen to match your real wheel). A correct FOV is the single most common cure.
  2. Reduce camera motion: turn off helmet wobble, camera smoothing, and motion blur in graphics/camera settings. Keep the camera steady.
  3. Stabilize frame rate: aim for a smooth frame rate equal to or higher than your monitor/VR refresh. Lower graphics settings to remove stutter; enable G-Sync/FreeSync if available.
  4. Adjust VR settings (if using VR): increase refresh rate, lower reprojection/motion smoothing, and set correct IPD. Higher refresh rates reduce nausea.
  5. Screen distance and size: sit a bit further back or use a smaller screen so peripheral motion is less intense.
  6. Short sessions and breaks: race 15–30 minutes, then take a 5–10 minute break. Small, frequent sessions build tolerance safely.

Extra tips / checklist

  • Lock a steady FPS instead of chasing max FPS; smooth is better than fluctuating.
  • Turn off post-processing effects (motion blur, depth of field).
  • Use a fan blowing on your face — airflow reduces nausea for many people.
  • Eat light and hydrate before sessions; avoid alcohol.
  • If symptoms persist, stop and take a longer break. Don’t push through severe nausea.

FAQs

Q: Will changing my FOV always fix it?
A: Often yes — FOV mismatch is the most common cause. If it doesn’t, check frame rate and camera motion next.

Q: Is VR more likely to cause motion sickness than a monitor?
A: Yes. VR immerses more senses, so refresh rate, reprojection and correct IPD matter much more.

Q: Should I use V-Sync or frame limiters?
A: Use whatever gives steady, consistent frames. G-Sync/FreeSync or a stable frame cap often works best.

Q: How long before I stop feeling sick?
A: With correct settings, symptoms can improve within one session. Building tolerance may take several short sessions over days.

Wrap-up

Fixing motion sickness in iRacing is mostly a settings and stability job: match FOV, remove extra camera motion, and make the frame rate steady. Try the steps above in order — they solve most cases quickly. If symptoms remain severe, consider short rides in a less intense car or consult a medical professional.