{"id":237162,"date":"2026-07-08T20:35:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T20:35:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/ryuta-kawashima-neuroscientist-manual-shifting-significantly-affects-mental-health-and-cognitive-function\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T20:35:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T20:35:50","slug":"ryuta-kawashima-neuroscientist-manual-shifting-significantly-affects-mental-health-and-cognitive-function","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/ryuta-kawashima-neuroscientist-manual-shifting-significantly-affects-mental-health-and-cognitive-function\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryuta Kawashima, Neuroscientist: Manual Shifting Significantly Affects Mental Health and Cognitive Function"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A recent study from Tohoku University in Japan has unveiled fascinating insights into the cognitive benefits of driving manual transmission vehicles. As the debate over which type of driving is more engaging continues, enthusiasts can now support their claims with scientific evidence suggesting that driving a stick shift may also be better for mental health.<\/p>\n

Research Led by Ryuta Kawashima<\/h2>\n

The research, spearheaded by Professor Ryuta Kawashima\u2014a prominent neuroscientist known for his work with Nintendo’s Brain Age series\u2014investigates the effects of manual versus automatic driving on brain activity. His study highlights that manual driving engages different areas of the brain compared to the more passive activity of operating an automatic vehicle.<\/p>\n

The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex<\/h3>\n

According to Kawashima\u2019s research, driving a manual vehicle activates the prefrontal cortex, a region associated with memory, decision-making, and attention. When driving a manual, drivers must evaluate their surroundings and make real-time decisions, such as selecting the appropriate gear to navigate various driving conditions. This increased cognitive load offers mental stimulation that is often lacking when driving an automatic.<\/p>\n

Benefits of Manual Transmission Driving<\/h2>\n

Kawashima emphasizes that the necessity for constant coordination between motor skills and cognitive functions during manual driving\u2014shifting gears, operating the clutch, and modulating the accelerator\u2014provides a unique form of mental exercise. This continuous engagement can help maintain cognitive vigor and mental health over time.<\/p>\n

Brain Training on the Road<\/h3>\n

Regularly driving a manual vehicle is likened to low-level brain training, enhancing mental agility and decision-making skills. This is particularly significant in aging societies, such as Japan, where cognitive deterioration and dementia are prominent issues. By encouraging habits that stimulate active engagement with the environment, we can foster better brain health.<\/p>\n

The Decline of Manual Transmission<\/h2>\n

Despite the advantages noted in the study, there’s a clear paradox at play: manual transmissions are rapidly disappearing from the market. Current statistics reveal that manual vehicles account for only 1% to 2% of new car sales in Japan and the United States. The shift toward hybrid and electric vehicles, which prioritize comfort and convenience, is contributing to this decline.<\/p>\n

Spain’s Enthusiastic Market<\/h3>\n

In Europe, particularly Spain, there’s still a substantial market for manual transmissions, with around 41% of sales comprising manual vehicles. This figure surpasses many other regions and reflects a continued commitment to stimulating cognitive function while driving.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

As science supports the mental health benefits of manual driving, it’s essential to consider how habits that encourage active participation can have profound effects on cognitive function. While the manual transmission may be dwindling in popularity, the evidence could prompt a rethink on the value of engaging our brains in daily activities like driving.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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General News – 2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A recent study from Tohoku University in Japan has unveiled fascinating insights into the cognitive benefits of driving manual transmission vehicles. As the debate over which type of driving is more engaging continues, enthusiasts can now support their claims with scientific evidence suggesting that driving a stick shift may also be better for mental health. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":237163,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36399],"tags":[3286,39680,1079,112,55024,1849,1457,53952,55023,30166,5882],"class_list":["post-237162","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology","tag-affects","tag-cognitive","tag-function","tag-health","tag-kawashima","tag-manual","tag-mental","tag-neuroscientist","tag-ryuta","tag-shifting","tag-significantly"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237162","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=237162"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":237164,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237162\/revisions\/237164"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/237163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=237162"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=237162"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=237162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}