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Driving a manual transmission could do more than make commuting more engaging. According to new research from Japan, shifting gears yourself may also provide a regular workout for the part of the brain responsible for memory, attention, and decision-making.
The findings come from researchers at Tohoku University’s Institute of Development and suggest that operating a stick shift stimulates the brain in ways that driving an automatic transmission does not.
The study was led by Professor Ryuta Kawashima, a neuroscientist best known for his work on Nintendo’s Brain Age series, which was designed to improve cognitive function through daily mental exercises.
Manual transmissions may offer a daily brain workout
According to the research, the sequence of coordinating the clutch, gear shifter, accelerator, and steering wheel activates the brain’s prefrontal cortex, an area associated with memory, focus, and decision-making.
Kawashima said the repeated actions involved in driving a manual transmission provide regular stimulation for this part of the brain, with the study suggesting that people who drive stick every day may receive a low-level cognitive workout that could help maintain brain function as they age.
The researchers found that the same level of stimulation was not observed when driving an automatic transmission.
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While the study highlights a potential cognitive benefit, manual transmissions continue to become less common around the world.
The researchers noted that just 1% to 2% of new vehicles sold in Japan now come with a manual gearbox. In the United States, manuals accounted for just 0.7% of new vehicle sales in 2024, while some European countries continue to see much higher adoption, including Spain at 41% and Italy at 48%.
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With only around two dozen new manual transmission models still available in the US as of 2026, the study suggests drivers who continue to row their own gears may be getting an unexpected mental exercise every time they get behind the wheel.
The findings come just days after another researcher suggested people can give their brains a similar workout by completing everyday tasks with their non-dominant hand. That technique is also designed to challenge the brain by breaking familiar routines and encouraging new neural connections over time.
