How is Exercise good for the brain?

Exercise affects the brain in many different ways.

It augments the release of hormones which provide an excellent environment for the growth of brain cells.

Exercise also promotes brain plasticity by stimulating growth of new connections between cells in many important cortical areas of the brain.

Research has shown that exercise increase growth factors in the brain which makes it easier for the brain to grow new neuronal connections.

Also exercise make you “feel good” the same antidepressant-like effects associated with the “runner’s high” has been correlated with a drop in stress hormones and a Swedish study showed that the antidepressant effect of running was also associated with more cell growth in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for learning and forming memories .

The study reported “Thus, suppression of cell proliferation in the hippocampus could constitute one of the mechanisms that underlie depression, and physical activity might be an efficient antidepressant.” 

This article was written on 2.11.22 by Dr Soumit Singhai (Specialist in Dementia and Memory Problems based in Harley Street in London)