Is feeling sleepy while sitting in a car a sign of illness?

I was very energetic before getting on the bus, but felt sleepy as soon as I got on. Is this a sign of illness, or what other factors may be at play?

The truth: This statement is incorrect. It is very common to feel energetic before getting on the bus, but feel sleepy once on the bus. This is not a sign of illness.

First of all, the low-frequency vibrations generated by the car itself can make people feel sleepy. For example, a 2019 study showed that the 4-10 Hz vibrations generated during vehicle driving can make people feel noticeably sleepy within 30 minutes.

In addition, if there are a lot of people gathered inside the vehicle, in a closed environment, the carbon dioxide concentration will easily increase, causing people to feel sleepy.

In addition, while the vehicle is driving, the monotonous road scenery and long-term low-frequency noise stimulation may also make people feel sleepy.

Therefore, feeling sleepy while riding in a car is not a sign of illness. It should be noted that drivers are also affected by these factors when driving. If the driver feels sleepy, he should open the window for ventilation in time and stop the car to rest for a while if necessary to avoid danger.

Author: Xiaowei Popular Science Creator

Reviewer: Tang Qin, Director of the Science Popularization Department of the Chinese Medical Association, National Health Science Popularization Expert