Actually, the Israeli navy has done studies that show that suggestion plays an important part in producing sea sickness. They also have shown in very good studies that the best drug for mal de mer is scopolamine, recently placed back on the market by the FDA in transdermal form. Scopolamine has many side effects, is difficult to regulate with each individual and may be dangerous to the diver with glaucoma or prostate trouble. Some people only get sick when their eyes are focused on close work, such as donning gear, or when working on navigation in an enclosed compartment.
Some people associate diesel fumes with being sick, most likely a psychological stimulus.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved its electronic ReliefBand for postoperative nausea. It is the first such commercially available device to receive FDA clearance, the Carlsbad, California-based company said in a news release. According to Woodside, the ReliefBand uses electronic signals to stimulate nerves in the wrist. It is believed that those signals stimulate natural nerve impulses in the body, causing them to interfere with nausea messages en route to the stomach, the company explained. Woodside Biomedical, Inc., is a privately owned, venture-financed company.