Remember that commercial with the egg in the frying pan and the voice saying, This is your brain on drugs?”
Well, it turns out there’s a natural “drug” proven to enhance brain health, and it’s released when we exercise.
It’s called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) … and it’s your brain’s magic potion.
BDNF is like a cocktail of antioxidants that stimulates new neuron growth and repairs damaged ones, particularly in areas responsible for learning, memory, mood, and higher-level thinking.
Here’s the catch: aging, stress, and lack of sleep can cause BDNF production to plummet, leading to depression and accelerated aging.
But exercise – specifically, strength training and high-intensity conditioning – have been shown to boost BDNF production.
Have you ever hit the gym feeling foggy and groggy, only to leave feeling sharp and energized? That’s not just adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine at play. It’s your body cranking up BDNF production.
So, the next time you’re in a funk or feeling low-energy, try a quick bout of exercise. It doesn’t have to be a marathon. Your body – and your brain – will thank you later.