Been riding roller coasters all my life despite having a major fear of heights. My thing though that’s happened all my life is on the ones with deep dives I get a really bad sinking feeling in my chest, like to the point I gotta wrap my arms around the restraint and hang on for dear life or else I’d feel like I’d pass out. However once I get past the initial drop I find the roller coaster incredibly fun and go over and over again.
Curious if this happens to anyone else and if its a danger. I’ve never actually passed out or gotten sick on a roller coaster all my life and curious if this is all a psychological thing since I have such a bad fear of heights.
I get a sinking sensation in my stomach, presumably because it’s an organ relatively loosely attached to the rest of my body, so when my body changes acceleration, it shifts a little relative to the rest of me
That sounds like the 0G feeling? I’m not a big fan either and the roller coasters I loved growing up didn’t have that bit. The initial drop just felt like going fast, not like I was going to float up out of my seat.
The first time I remember it, it wasn’t even in the first drop, but later on in the ride.
It’s more in my belly. I hate the feeling. I’m not scared because I am certain that they are effectively 100% safe but because of that feeling, I don’t enjoy them and haven’t been on one in decades.
As a primate (I assume you’re a primate), the fear of falling is real. It’s one of only two instinctive fears humans have. Nearly every other fear is a learned response. Or so I was taught a jillion years ago.
I have an intense fear of heights. I’ve only ridden a roller coaster once and it was one of those designed for little kids with barely any dips. Even that horrified me.
I often get that sick sinking feeling from just watching film taken by someone riding a roller coaster. I would rather gnaw my own head off than get on one.
Assuming the OP isn’t talking about a feeling of dread or anxiety, I also assumed it was that zero G sensation where your internal organs feel like they are trying to catch up with the rest of your body.
Not a big fan,
Although in my experience, sort of letting yourself float freely (within the restraints obviously) and embracing the zero G-ness feels better than holding on for dear life. Probably because your whole body is all going in the same direction at the same time.
Personally, I try to avoid any spinny centrifuge rides if I can as they make me “spinny sick” for the rest of the day. Even those stupid teacups
It wasn’t a roller coaster, it was a school bus (of all things!) My first day in first grade (no kindergarten then), and it picked us up at the end of the driveway. It sped away along the gravel farm road, kicking up dust, and up and over the little hill we went, down the other side. I was surprised at that roller coaster feeling in my stomach, and I had never even been on a roller coaster yet. I never had that feeling when we drove over the hill in a car, and imagine my disappointment when on the second day of school, it didn’t happen again. Excitement? An unexpected experience? Or just a super motivated driver who wanted to give us all a thrill ride on our first day?
So that zero-G stomach feeling, can everyone else stop it just by tensing your stomach muscles?
I’d always assumed it was something everyone had control of, but I’ve heard from lots of people that hate the sensation, and had always wondered why they don’t just lock it down. I mentioned that to someone once, and though familiar with the sensation, they had no idea what I was talking about regarding controlling the feeling.
For the record, I do like roller coasters and do not like heights. Airplane turbulence can also fun, As mentioned, letting my guts move around is part of the fun.
I’m terrified of heights, so those first few minutes of going clickety-click up the track scare the bejeebus out of me. I live for the stomach dip, though. As soon as you can see down the other side of your starting hill and you feel it in your stomach, it’s fun as hell. At least it was decades ago when I could ride a roller coaster.
This cycle is why I would go on a roller coaster, have an absolute blast, and then my Aunt would have to spend hours convincing me to get on the next-biggest one. At Cedar Point, when the Millennium Force came out, it took fully a day to talk me into it. It was wonderful, of course.
It was the one thing I liked about being pregnant. When my son kicked or flipped it felt like roller-coaster time.
I inherently tried the couple times I remember feeling it, but all that did was add to the unpleasantness. I didn’t feel any more stable, just like I was “holding on for dear life.” That is not a feeling I get the rest of the ride: I usually feel like I’m being pushed down into my seat, and I love that feeling.
The rest of the ride was pleasant and thrilling. I continued to ride other roller coasters. I totally miss this one that was in the dark with a bunch fun exhibits on the side and a story throughout.
I think I’m beyond them now, mostly because I am more sensitive to anxiety after trauma. It would cost a lot of money to get over that (as I would need to do exposure over time) and it doesn’t seem worth it when I have other entertainment options I already enjoy.