Throttle Therapy & Why We Ride | The Science of Motorcycle Stress-relief

WHY DOES RIDING A MOTORCYCLE RELIVE STRESS?
Motorcyclists have long expressed that going for a ride is a stress reducing experience and essential for their mental wellness. In this video, I back up the concept of "throttle therapy" with a few key studies about body language, hormones, focus, and a Harley-Davidson funded study from UCLA measuring stress and adrenaline. Let me know in the comments what your experience has been with motorcycling and stress relief. What about it gives you peace or presence?

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Hello! I'm Meghan Stark, a web developer, writer, and motorcycle enthusiast living in Milwaukee, WI. I've been riding on the street since 2016 (in the dirt long before then) and currently own a 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer.

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[MeghanStark]

Hello all, I really put my heart & brain into this one! I’d love it if you’d share it around. What your experience has been with motorcycling and stress relief/meditation?

[rudydedogg]

There is an old expression that says, "You'll never see a motorcycle parked in front of a psychiatrist's office unless it is the doctor's bike." I've ridden for a bit over 50 years and I gave up riding four times but when riding gets into your blood, there is no getting it out. Enjoy the ride!

[Snyphen]

An unmentioned factor that I think plays a big role here is the fact that we spend our days sitting in one small box to the next. As opposed to a car, riding a motorcycle allows us to feel more present and connected to the world.

[thomasanderson]

I'm 70 and own my own lawncare business. I'm tring to stay young so I bought a 2021 triumph rocket 3r . Red . Boy therapy your sure right about that. Enjoy young lady and be safe

[Delzona]

Before I retired, I rode my Harley to work everyday, unless it was raining when it was time to go. Even if there was a possibility of rain during the day I still rode, because I only needed two dry times, going to work and going home! Since I rode to work I had the opportunity to get my mind ready for work and of course riding home I had the opportunity to leave all the stress behind! I used to tell people I never had a bad day at work because I always had a great ride home!

[SonyTheRider]

I am 52 years old and I started riding after almost 25 years. It gives me confidence and stay motivated and keep fit. Follow your passion❤

[c.f.g.]

When I jump on my bike I breakout into a big smile. I love the road, the wind, the scenery I pass by. Great therapy for a stressful day. Great topic you presented!

[solodad]

As a survivor of a traumatic brain injury thanks to a drunk driver running me over at 35mph and severe PTSD along with 8% loss of brain function from that TBI, my PTSD counselor recommended getting back onto 2 wheels as a way to "rewire" my brain and combat the severe depression I was suffering from my brain injury/ PTSD and subsequent divorce from my wife of 20 years now that I was damaged and no longer "met her professional & personal goals ".
It took me a while to save up and research what type of bike I wanted but I finally found myself exploring my state on an Africa Twin. It was stressful as I had not ridden since 2011 but it was exhilarating to be on two wheels again and seeing country I had not seen in years. It was a great challenge to go for a "scoot" and make it back home in 1 piece and not be someone's hood ornament.
I was working parts of my brain that I had not used for a long time and forcing neurons to go to new places inside my damaged neural net.
To make it home after a long day at work and jump on my scooter and go for a ride decreases my stress and makes my brain buzz. I come back feeling happier with a much better outlook on life. This is especially important when my kids are with the "evil ex" and I'm feeling very alone. My 2 wheel therapy combats my depression and forced my brain to new places as I have to balance, focus, plan, shift, watch out for hazards, enjoy the sights, smell, listen, feel in a whole new way and retrain my brain. I'm still an introvert and ride alone just so I dont have to worry about another.
But my 2 wheel time is a godsend to me when I can ride. Thanks to all of you 2 wheel Angel's I've been watching for the last year that helped me get back on the road and go places I didn't think I could go by myself.

[ttrguy]

When I want to empty my Brain, I get on my bike. My bike is an extension of my brain and body. It's a therapy tool. When I am riding my bike, I am FULLY occupied and all parts of my body are used to control the machine. No other mode of transportation puts you in the Zone of being powerful and vulnerable at the same time. When I am on my bike I am FOCUSED on my surroundings and the bike itself. I feel and control it's heartbeat. On a bike you need to be Proactive and not Reactive. Riding connects me directly to the world around me. Riding is Primal and Visceral while being fun and relaxing at the same time. Not so much in the car bubble. Throttle Therapy is Brain Therapy!
AWESOME video Meghan! 🤘👍✊

[cibsim]

Motorcycling is addictive. Vibrations, smells, sight, acuity, exercising all senses, friendship, pure adrenaline, freedom, what can you ask more? Well, more rides until you die...

[Trindal]

I’m a disabled vet. and I can’t explain how much going for a ride helped me. Even in my car, a used corvette c6. I had to sell the car when I was medically retired(I should have kept it..) I had the bike still and would ride often to help going through all the crap as I left and became a civilian. We had to move when my pay was messed up and we had to sell our house to keep from being foreclosed on. I didn’t have the area to ride or the best weather, for me personally. I can say without a doubt the car made me feel like wasn’t ”disabled”. The way the seat held me and the feel of going around a corner with speed you wouldn’t normally be able to do in a standard car. The bike had its own way of making me feel better about myself. Both got me out of the house and interacting with other people that had the same passion. When I first heard the new Corvette was going to be mid engine with a very affordable MSRP, I thought i was going to be able to pick up a used one after about 5 years or so… then Covid hit. The price doubled. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to own one. For me, it felt like the only way I would ever be able to own a mid engine super car like a Ferrari or Lamborghini, would be this car. Now even it was out of reach forever. I could really use my car right now… I don’t have an outlet that can provide that feeling. My self isolation has even gotten worse. A bike or a car can make such a difference.

[franknikki]

This was put together very well and I appreciate the science behind it all. Great job Meghan.

[viennapalace]

A couple of old sayings (now turned into memes) sprung to mind while watching this vid.
"When you drive through the desert in a car, you're in a car but when you ride through the desert on a motorcycle, you're in the desert".
And...
"When you drive a car it's like watching a movie but when you ride a motorcycle you're IN the movie".
Both seem glib & mildly funny on the surface but both capture why motorcycling feeds the mind & soul & support the science you have provided on why we love riding & why it is the sweetest addiction.
Very interesting & entertaining video. I'm now a subscriber looking forward to more of your content!

[motourbananet]

Agree. It's really true. One more thing: our helmet it's a world. There inside we laugh, talk, think, shout, cry, sing and nobody could see this. It's a world inside, or across, the real world. Congrats for your videos. Regards from Argentina.

[montantico]

I´ve ridden a moto for more than 20 years, bikes have definetly saved my life, and relieved anxiety and stress when i´ve need it the most.

[Pyrrho_]

I've always thought of riding as achieving a flow state akin to meditation. I've been through some rough patches in my life and I can tell you now if I don't have a bike to turn to in those times, I wouldn't be here to write about this today. Riding saved my life.

[tomtemple]

riding energizes me, gets the heart pumping and blood flowing
makes me feel a lot more awake and i feel like my energy doubles after riding

[neilfitzpatrick]

When you ride you have to be 100% focused on the moment or you might die so you are purely in the moment which is the only place life is. We need our brains to learn things then shut it down and let our practice take over so our minds and body can work as one with out the garbage of the human world distracting us 🙏💚🙏

[venkatathota]

I was always telling my family for 10-15 yrs ' I need bike and cricket to unwind and perform better at work and life.

[swfrances]

As a former biker who rode over 20, 000 miles on my Kawasaki Vulcan 500, then another 20, 000 on my Harley Low Rider, I love your term “throttle therapy”! I mostly rode in north Georgia. Those beautiful fall days leaning into the many curves of the road just filled my heart with pleasure and joy.