This year, researchers did something completely crazy: they taught rats to drive mini-cars. No, you're not dreaming, and this isn't the pitch for a new Pixar film. This unique experiment taught us a lot about how the brain works and the learning process.
It all started with a simple cereal box transformed into a rather rudimentary vehicle on which scientists installed a small metal wire which served as an accelerator. Then they trained their rats to handle it. The project worked so well that it evolved into more sophisticated vehicles, real “ROVs” (rat-operated vehicles) designed by robotics experts, equipped with rodent-resistant wiring, indestructible tires and ergonomic levers – a sort of Tesla rodent version!
The researchers then quickly noted that rats housed in enriched environments – with toys, space and companions – learned more quickly than their counterparts living in standard cages. This discovery helped confirm a theory that I find fascinating: a complex environment improves neuroplasticity, this ability of the brain to reconfigure itself and create new connections throughout life.
The learning was done step by step, like in a real driving school for rodents. First basic actions such as climbing into the vehicle and pressing a lever, then gradually more complex behaviors such as directing the car towards a specific destination. The reward? A delicious Froot Loop that awaited them at the finish. Can I have some too?
But then the story becomes even more exciting. In fact, scientists noticed that the rats seemed genuinely enthusiastic about driving! Yes, yes, they were literally jumping in their vehicle before we even invited them, like a dog getting excited about going for a walk. This observation was particularly striking during the summer of 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, when even lab rats were feeling the general emotional isolation (lockdown, best time of my life, btw).
This observation then led to a new direction of research centered on the anticipation of pleasure. The researchers therefore set up a protocol called “Wait For It” where the rats had to wait before getting their reward. Some had to wait 15 minutes after a Lego block was placed in their cage before receiving their treat, or wait a few minutes before accessing their play area. The results were astonishing: the rats who had to wait developed a more optimistic cognitive style and better problem-solving skills.
A particularly interesting detail caught the researchers' attention: some rats raised their tails in the shape of a hook, a behavior never observed before. This posture, called the “Straub tail,” is usually associated with the release of dopamine and natural opiates in the brain. Clearly, these rats were in a state of intense well-being! Supreme happiness itself…
But the most surprising thing is when they were given the choice between walking directly to their reward or taking a detour to use their car, several rats chose the second option! This suggests that the journey itself was a source of pleasure, not just the reward.
These findings obviously have profound implications for our understanding of happiness and learning. Just as our ancestors developed skills like firebending or creating stone tools, our brains are wired to learn new skills throughout life. So it would be a shame to zombify yourself by swiping crappy stories on TikTok all day.
The researchers also found that rats exposed to these positive experiences showed changes in their reward brain circuits. In their brains, the areas associated with pleasant experiences expanded, while those linked to fear shrank – as if their brains were a piano that the environment could tune differently.
So, in this grotesque world where instant gratification is omnipresent, taking the time to anticipate and savor positive experiences can be crucial for our mental well-being.
So whether you're a rat learning to drive or a human discovering a new skill, the joy of learning and the path to your goal can be as rewarding as the destination itself. Think about it the next time you're in “road rage” mode behind the wheel of your Golf, sticking to the ass of the guy in front of you, before overtaking him on a white line and giving him the finger ^^.
Source
