Does riding a motorcycle really relieve stress? A recent study funded by Harley-Davidson found that riding a motorcycle might be good for your mental health. The researchers found that motorcycling increased focus and attention, and decreased relative levels of cortisol, a hormonal marker of stress.
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The results of the study conducted by a team researchers at UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior yielded scientific evidence of the potential benefits of riding. Researchers recorded participants’ brain activity and hormone levels before, during, and after motorcycling, driving a car, and resting. While riding a motorcycle, participants experienced increased sensory focus and resilience to distraction. Riding also produced an increase in adrenaline levels and heart rate, as well as a decrease in cortisol levels, results often associated with light exercise and stress-reduction.
“Stress levels, especially among young adults, continue to rise, and people are exploring pathways to better their mental and physical health. Until recently, the technology to rigorously measure the impact of activities like motorcycling on the brain didn’t exist,” said Dr. Don Vaughn, the neuroscientist who led the research team.
Results Highlights:
- Riding a motorcycle decreased hormonal biomarkers of stress by 28%
- On average, riding a motorcycle for 20 minutes increased participants’ heart rates by 11 percent and adrenaline levels by 27 percent—similar to light exercise
- Sensory focus was enhanced while riding a motorcycle versus driving a car, an effect also observed in experienced meditators vs non-meditators
- Changes in study participants’ brain activity while riding suggested an increase in alertness similar to drinking a cup of coffee
- ”While scientists have long-studied the relationship of brain and hormone responses to attention and stress, doing so in real-life conditions such as these is rare,” explained Dr. Mark Cohen, a member of the research team. “No lab experiment can duplicate the feelings that a motorcyclist would have on the open road.”
“The differences in participants’ neurological and physiological responses between riding and other measured activities were quite pronounced,” continued Dr. Vaughn. “This could be significant for mitigating everyday stresses.”
The research team monitored participants’ electrical brain activity and heart rate, as well as levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. The study measured the biological and physiological responses of more than 50 experienced motorcyclists, using mobile EEG technology.
Heather Malenshek, Harley-Davidson’s Senior Vice President of Marketing commented, “The research findings Dr. Vaughn and his team identified helps explain what our riders have felt for the past 116 years – there’s a vitality and heightened sensory experience that comes from the freedom of riding a motorcycle. We hope their findings inspire the next generation of riders to experience these benefits along with us.”
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Next time someone critizeds your motorcycle, just tell them it’s for your mental health.
How Roller Coasters Affect Your Body
Bridget Leahy
05.25. | 3 min read
Every summer, thrill seekers head to amusement parks for a chance to ride the fastest, tallest and scariest roller coasters. The wind racing, the tracks rumbling, the loop-de-loops and stomach-churning drops; all of it gets our blood pumping and adrenaline flowing. If you've ever wondered what roller coasters do to your body, here is a quick look at how these thrill rides affect it. How do roller coasters affect heart rate?
There is no question that the fright and delight of rollercoasters get the heart racing. A German study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association in which coaster riders were fitted with heart monitors found heart rates spiked to over 155 beats per minute. Surprisingly, the highest heart rates were recorded during the slow climb to the top of the first drop, emphasizing the key role of fear and anticipation. While the rising heart rate is not dangerous for young, healthy people, it could set off a heart attack for those with pre-existing heart disease.How do roller coasters affect the brain?
People enjoy scary situations so long as they aren’t in any real danger. Much like watching a scary movie, a roller coaster ride triggers a fight-or-flight response, which releases a cocktail of hormones into your bloodstream. These brain chemicals, including adrenaline, dopamine and cortisol, stimulate a natural high and give you a boost of energy that makes you feel more alert, alive and able to scream your lungs out!How do roller coasters affect your blood?
Roller coasters rely on gravity which can have some interesting physical effects on the body. On the ground you are experiencing 1G, or one times the normal force of gravity, but G-forces get much higher on a rollercoaster. In fact, the record for the highest G-forces on a roller coaster is 6.3Gs! With increasing gravitational pressure, blood is forced toward your feet, making your heart work even harder to get it back up to your brain. The typical human body can withstand around 5Gs, but at these levels the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, sometimes leading to lightheadedness, vision loss or momentary black-outs.Can roller coasters cause vertigo?
Interactions between our eyes and our vestibular system, found in the inner ear, detect motion, balance and spatial orientation. However, the jerky and unpredictable movements of a roller coaster can cause the eye and the ear to send mismatched messages to the brain. For kids, this internal confusion feels exciting. But for adults, who are accustomed to more predictable motion, the outcome is often dizziness, vertigo or motion sickness.Despite taking the body to extremes, roller coasters are considered remarkably safe overall. In fact, it’s often these intense bodily sensations that make the experience so exhilarating. Just take note of safety precautions listed for each ride such as advice to forego coasters while pregnant or if you have a pre-existing heart condition.Read on:Photo credit: Getty ImagesRelated Articles
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