What Happens When Your Stomach Drops on a Roller Coaster

While the exact reason remains uncertain, that “fast stomach” sensation you feel on a roller coaster, during a sudden drop on a lift, or when hitting a large bump in a car highlights how your body reacts to rapid shifts in movement and gravity.

Your organs are generally anchored by a network of tissues and muscles, with gravity constantly pulling everything downward. However, when you encounter a dip or bump, the sudden changes in speed and direction—especially a quick descent—can create a distinct experience.

In that instant, your organs do not descend at the same rate as the rest of your body, resulting in a brief moment of weightlessness akin to what astronauts experience in space.

Your stomach and intestines are relatively mobile, which is why these areas are more prone to the sensation. Since they are loosely suspended, they lag slightly behind when your body moves downward rapidly.

Nerves surrounding these organs react to their displacement, sending signals to your brain that create those peculiar, stomach-flipping feelings. This sensation is enhanced by the vestibular system in your inner ear.

The vestibular system struggles to adapt to the unexpected drops and shifts in direction, intensifying that disorienting feeling of “falling.” This explains why the quick curves and steep descents of roller coasters can also leave you feeling a bit dizzy.

So, the next time you experience that exhilarating rush, take a moment to appreciate the physics at play: gravity, acceleration, and the intricate balance of your internal organs contributing to the thrill.

This article answers a question sent to Lori Schafer: “Why does my stomach drop on a roller coaster or when I hit a bump?”

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