In this month's issue of the Journal of Neurotrauma, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania reveal that roller coasters do not cause brain damage. In recent years, several reports have been published blaming the thrill rides' jarring G forces for brain injuries. High G forces may pull blood away from the brain, leading to unconsciousness and severe neurological damage.

In the latest study, scientists from the university's neurosurgery department visited three "high G" rides at three amusement parks in the United States to test the effects of roller coaster G forces on brain tissue. According to the report, analysis revealed that roller coaster G forces are not powerful enough to cause brain trauma or "head accelerations." Researchers suspect that many roller coaster-related brain injury cases involve patients with pre-existing abnormalities.