02/28/2025
Does ginger ale really help with nausea, or is it just a myth? Learn the neuroscience behind ginger ale and its impact on mental and physical health.
By Paul Wright, MD, Senior Vice President and System Chair of the Neuroscience Institute, Nuvance Health
While rounding in the hospital with our residents and medical students, I noticed something curious: Many of our patients had ginger ale on their trays. This observation sparked a discussion among us about why ginger ale is so ubiquitous in hospitals.
Why do so many people instinctively reach for ginger ale when they feel unwell? What exactly happens in the brain when they take a sip? This got me thinking about the strange but fascinating connection between ginger ale, nausea relief and our brains.
Find out the science behind ginger ale, its relationship with being sick and what’s happening in your brain when you drink it.
What more brain health content? Learn more at the Nuvance Healthline blog.
Ginger ale and your brain: a historical perspective
Ginger ale wasn’t always a common sight in hospitals. Its creation as a health tonic started in the 19th century. Real ginger was in the early versions of ginger ale, a root known for its nausea-relieving properties.
By the early 20th century, ginger ale was evolving. John McLaughlin, a Canadian pharmacist, created “dry” ginger ale, which was milder in taste and easier to mix with other beverages. This new variety quickly gained popularity, particularly during Prohibition in the United States, and solidified its place in North American culture.
So, why did ginger ale become synonymous with hospitals? The answer lies in its perceived ability to soothe an upset stomach. The carbonation, mild flavor and historical association with ginger made it a go-to remedy for nausea — a common symptom people experience when they are in the hospital.
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The neuroscience of nausea: how ginger ale interacts with the brain
To understand why many people think ginger ale helps with nausea, you need to understand the neuroscience of nausea itself. Nausea is a complex physiological response primarily controlled by the brain, specifically in the brainstem. The key player here is the area postrema, often called the “vomiting center” of the brain.
The postrema area has receptors that detect toxic substances in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. When it senses something harmful, it triggers nausea as a protective mechanism to prevent the ingestion of more toxins.
When you feel nauseous, several neurochemicals are at play. Serotonin is one of the main neurotransmitters involved in nausea and vomiting. Certain drugs or the presence of toxins can increase serotonin levels in the gut, which then send signals to the brain to induce vomiting. Dopamine and histamine are also involved in this process, often contributing to the sensations of dizziness and imbalance that accompany nausea.
The placebo effect: your brain on ginger ale
While many people believe ginger ale helps with nausea, most commercial ginger ales today contain little to no actual ginger. The active compounds in ginger that may reduce nausea — gingerols and shogaols — are not present in significant amounts in these beverages. Yet, people still report feeling better after drinking ginger ale. How is this possible?
The role of the placebo effect comes into play. The placebo effect is a fascinating psychological phenomenon where a person experiences real changes in their body or mind simply because they believe they are receiving treatment.
When patients sip ginger ale in a hospital, their brains may release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, simply because they associate the drink with relief. This can lead to a genuine reduction in the perception of nausea, even if the ginger ale has no pharmacological effect.
The carbonation and sweetness of ginger ale can also play a role. Carbonation might have a mild soothing effect on the stomach lining, and the sugar provides a quick energy boost, which can help distract from the feelings of nausea. Additionally, the brain’s reward pathways light up when consuming sweet substances, releasing dopamine, which can enhance the feeling of comfort and well-being.
Ginger ale and neurochemicals: a modern perspective
While the placebo effect is significant, scientific evidence supports ginger’s role in reducing nausea. Compounds in ginger, such as gingerols and shogaols, can interact with serotonin receptors in the brain and gut, potentially reducing nausea and vomiting by blocking these receptors. This is why ginger supplements, candies or teas might be more effective for those looking to harness the true anti-nausea properties of ginger.
However, when it comes to ginger ale, the neurochemical effects are more about its comforting qualities and the brain’s response to a familiar remedy rather than any direct pharmacological action. The tradition of serving ginger ale in hospitals likely continues because of its non-offensive flavor, gentle carbonation and strong cultural associations with relief and care.
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The continued popularity of ginger ale in hospitals
Despite the limited presence of actual ginger, ginger ale remains a popular choice in hospitals. Its familiarity brings comfort, and its mild taste is often more appealing than plain water to patients who might be dealing with dry mouths or nausea from medications or treatments. The gentle fizz can also be soothing and, importantly, ginger ale is non-caffeinated, making it a safe option for a wide range of patients.
Ginger ale’s role in hospitals combines science, culture and psychology. While it might not contain the therapeutic levels of ginger that early consumers believed, it still plays a meaningful role in patient care by providing comfort and a sense of normalcy in what can be a stressful situation.
The bottom line: So, what happens to your brain on ginger ale? It might not be the ginger itself doing all the work, but the combination of the placebo effect, the comforting ritual of sipping a familiar drink and the mild stimulation of neurochemical pathways in the brain all contribute to its enduring appeal in healthcare settings. Ginger ale may not be a miracle cure, but it has become a small yet meaningful part of the healing process, offering comfort and a touch of nostalgia to patients when they need it most.