Riding motorcycles has several proven mental and physical health benefits for riders and now we find the vibration of your motorcycle could also be beneficial to fighting mental illnesses.
Previously, medical research has found that riding can improve brain power, reduce stress, develop your core muscles and sharpen your focus.
Now, research by Dr Lee Bartel of the University of Toronto, has found that vibrations and sound can stimulate cells in your body and brain to reduce the impact of fibromyalgia pain, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, depression, and even increase blood flow.
“My research has been looking at how specific vibrations, frequencies and music can affect brain and body,” he says.
“I know of nothing specifically related to motorcycles, but in general it applies – both potentially the rhythmic firing of the cylinders as well as the vibration off the road,” Dr Bartel says.
In fact, Dr Bartel, riders feel more “vibe” from a bike than drivers do in cars where noise and vibration is engineered out of them!
Good vibration
One of his recent studies looked at depression.
“The assumption behind this is that depression may be a result of brain waves that are our rhythmic sync – especially prefrontal cortex asynchrony and a thalamocortical dysrhythmia,” he says (whatever that is!).
“If sound stimulation is at the right frequency these can be re-regulated.”
He also cites previous studies that show a connection between driving road vibration and treating Parkinson’s Disease.
Our view
In our experience, the various vibes and sounds of different engine configurations and mufflers can have varying effects on our mood.
We certainly don’t need physicians and researchers to tell us that riding a motorcycle is good for us.
But it’s comforting to know that there is science behind that great feeling we get behind the bars of our bike.
If you are experiencing mental issues, we suggest going for a ride, calling Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Lifeline Australia on 131114.