• Question: why do i feel dizzy when i spin?

    Asked by to Fiona on 20 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Fiona McLean

      Fiona McLean answered on 20 Jun 2014:

      Great question! So there is a bit in your ear called the vestibular system (it’s quite far into your ear). There are 3 semi-circular canals here and they have fluid inside them and cells whose job it is to sense things. When your head moves the fluid moves too and the fluid tells the sensory cells that the head is moving. The cells then send a signal to the brain and the brain works out which way the head has moved.

      However! When you are spinning this fluid in your ear gets sploshed around and sends lots of different signals to your brain telling it lots of different things. Your brain then can’t work out which way your head is up so it tells you that your are facing lots of ways and then you get dizzy!

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