Exercise = Happy brain

For the past couple of hours I've been in an off mood. I quickly equated this mood to the poor gastronomic choices I made yesterday. Not to mention my inability to wake up in the morning to exercise the past 2 days. This week is Recovery week in my P90X schedule, meaning it's full of non-strenuous workouts and I honestly feel something is lacking. With these two factors in mind, I began to wonder whether exercise has a direct effect on someone's mood. Since I have never researched this and have no recollection of these two factors having a direct correlation, I turned to a trusty friend... Google. 

The Effects of Exercise on the Brain turned out to be very informative. My theory that exercise has the ability to alter someone's mood turned out to be true. Endorphins are released into the body via the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus during exercise, mainly as an analgesic to block pain impulses from the brain, but also has been associated with creating a sense of well being. The site states that depression is caused by low levels of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and serotonin. Exercise is linked to an increase in these neurotransmitters. The author implies that endorphins aren't directly linked to the feeling of euphoria, that these neurotransmitters block the pain and allow serotonin and norepinephrine to become more pronounced. In other words, endorphins are analogous to defensive linemen. Haha.

Exercise has also been shown to produce new neurons in the brain, or neurogenesis. Neurogenesis is assisted by an active neurotrophin chemical called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). Without going into much scientific detail, BDNF basically aids in protecting neurons while promoting neurogenisis. The mild stress brought on my exercise triggers the expression of the BDNF gene which in effect boosts serotonin productivity. Also, seratonegic signaling, according to the author, enhances BDNF expression. Thus creating this reciprocal relationship between BDNF and serotonin.


Weaved in this domino effect of exercise, BDNF gene, and euphoria is the fact that neurogenisis ultimately aids in preserving neural tissue. As stated in the site, humans begin to lose neural tissue at the age of 30, therefore by exercising more we are creating a denser network of neurons which enables us to process and store information more efficiently. The author goes on to say that over exercise has shown to create a plateau in BDNF and interfere with cognitive function due to the brain's preoccupation with exercise. Could it be that the theory about, so called "meat-heads" being less intelligent has been proven? Haha. I jest.


Ok, so enough scientific and neurological mumbo jumbo. What have I gotten out of researching this? Exercise can assist in enhancing your general mood, but also it can aid in maintaining your neurons fit. And when it comes to degenerative neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's, exercise is a step in the right direction. Even though the endorphins released during exercise attach themselves to the same neuron receptors as opiates it isn't as addictive of a behavior as smoking. Furthermore, one would have to exercise for 30 minutes before endorphins are released and being an instant gratification drives society many people won't even bother committing to the routine.


:Sigh: I am going to run home and exercise. If you're reading this I hope you got something out of it. I know I did. Gotta love information :)

"Information is a source of learning. But unless it is organized, processed, and available to the right people in a format for decision making, it is a burden, not a benefit." - William Pollard