Brain on Bikes: What Riding Tells Us About Being Human

What if riding a motorcycle could rewire your brain—and reveal truths about society, risk, and human instinct?

Neuroscientist and cognitive theorist Mark Changizi joins the Futures Edge with Jim Iuorio and Bob Iaccino to explore how brain science, cultural evolution, and motorcycle riding intersect. Blending physics with cognitive science, he unpacks mass hysteria during COVID-19, questions the role of experts, and reveals how our responses are shaped more by culture than clinical data.

But that’s just the beginning. Drawing from his book The Motorcycle Mind, Changizi shifts gears into the immersive experience of riding motorcycles. From the thrill of countersteering and optic flow to the controversial idea that riding without a helmet can actually heighten sensory awareness, he explains why motorcycles are more than machines—they’re psychological tools for clarity, presence, and personal empowerment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mark Cangizzi

02:00 The Role of Experts and Data in COVID

05:54 Understanding Data and Its Interpretation

09:05 Mass Hysteria and Public Perception

13:04 Motorcycle Riding: A Unique Experience

17:02 The Science Behind Riding Motorcycles

21:03 The Psychological Aspects of Riding

29:58 Therapeutic Benefits of Riding

30:41 The Transformative Power of Motorcycles

33:09 Riding Without a Helmet: A Physics Perspective

39:11 Safety Improvements in Motorcycles

40:12 The Mindset of Motorcycle Riders

42:27 Engagement and Awareness on Motorcycles

46:39 Risk Assessment: Motorcycles vs. Cars

47:40 The Role of Noise in Motorcycle Culture

54:05 The Electric Bike Experience

55:11 Design and Evolution in Human Psychology

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