It’s no secret that moving our bodies outside is good for overall well-being. But what does “good” actually mean? Thanks to recent advancements in technology, science may finally be able to provide a more concrete answer.
In partnership with Toyota Trucks, the GearJunkie team set out to test how science can track those good vibes and use the data to understand and quantify the feeling of adventure.
Enter Destination Detours: Three teams of two adventurers on an outdoor challenge, powered by the ultimate off-road adventure vehicles, Toyota Trucks. Each team set out to a different off-grid locale in the mountains, desert, or on the coast.
Participants navigated off-road routes, with a Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, or Land Cruiser supporting their exploration at every turn. Along the way, the teams competed in unexpected challenges, testing their outdoor skills and, most importantly, collecting biometric data to get a full picture of the emotional highs and lows associated with every activity.
Check out the full Destination Detours video series here to see how Toyota Trucks make it easy to embark on outdoor missions that fuel your well-being. Or keep reading to learn more about the technology we used to capture the feeling of adventure.
WATCH DESTINATION DETOURS
The Neuroscience of Adventure
Developed by a team of neuroscientists, the SIX app from Immersion Neuroscience pairs with everyday wearables to track spikes in neurochemicals, including oxytocin and dopamine, to effectively quantify the natural high that outdoor adventures induce. We sat down with the creator of SIX, Dr. Paul Zak, to learn how this new technology can help users pinpoint the activities that most benefit their overall well-being.
“Extraordinary experiences are extraordinarily important for health and happiness,” says Zak. “The SIX app, which my group developed, quantifies the neurologic value of experiences so people can live happier lives.”
The Adventure Algorithm
All day, every day, our brains release a cocktail of neurochemicals that regulate our moods and drive human behavior. These happy hormones, as they are colloquially called, were first studied in the early 1970s. Today, dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins are practically household names.
“We all know these neurochemicals impact our moods, and, in modern society, most people understand how to biohack their system on some level by doing things to organically boost these chemicals,” says Dr. Zak. “We can’t feel or control the release of these chemicals, but when they flood the brain, our sense of deep connection and focused attention reach a natural high.”
Curious about how these natural mood boosters impact human behavior, Zak set out to gain a deeper understanding of this imperceptible release of neurochemicals.
“We discovered that a precise mix of the neurochemicals oxytocin and dopamine drives human behavior and well-being,” Zak explains. “When released together, these neurochemicals leave a unique imprint on the human heart.”
For decades, this subtle shift in cardiac rhythm was only detectable using medical-grade equipment, which severely limited scalability. But the rise of wearable biometric trackers opened a window for Zak to bring his research into everyday use.
“Your brain tells a story,” says Zak. “Your smart watch is ready to listen.” By tapping into data from smart watches and fitness trackers, SIX app captures the neurologic value of experiences from the cranial nerves — the brain’s “output file” — to trace the simultaneous release of oxytocin and dopamine every second.
According to Zak’s published research, people thrive when they experience six or more high-value key moments per day. The data from the SIX app pinpoints the precise events that garner the biggest boost to their well-being so users can pursue more of the activities that help them thrive.
“Our sophisticated algorithms illuminate the pathway from body to brain, giving you all the information you need to identify and get more high-value moments — the ones that are necessary to health, happiness, and longevity,” says Zak.
SIX Technology in Action
So just how does adventure impact brain chemistry, and what can we do with that information? Six explorers embarked on the Destination Detour Challenge to illustrate the use case firsthand. Equipped with rugged, off-road-capable Toyota Trucks, a paper map, and their own navigation skills, these adventurers set out to discover the joy of taking the road less traveled.
“From the anticipatory excitement of turning down an unmarked dirt road to who-knows-where to the calm that comes with a night spent under the stars to the joy and adrenaline of outdoor adventure, SIX provides a data-supported way to quantify the thrill of it all,” says Zak.
Watch the video for a deep dive into how the SIX app plugged into GearJunkie’s latest big adventure with Toyota Trucks. Then, head to the Destination Detours content hub to see how these rugged vehicles helped the teams pursue the natural highs of outdoor exploration in a three-episode video series.
WATCH THE FULL SERIES
This post was sponsored by Toyota Trucks. With the rugged capabilities of Toyota Trucks, adventure is more accessible than ever. Check out the brand’s lineup of off-road–ready trucks that can help make your own detours possible.
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