Influencing Neurogenesis Part 2: Exercise, BDNF, fats & Blueberries

Exercise, in particular, has an incredibly pivotal role in creating new brain cells, enhancing neuroplasticity, improving mood, memory, focus and energy levels. This is hardly new research. We all know that exercise is good for us, but to reiterate: if we look at the brains of those who exercise regularly vs those who are sedentary we can observe drastic differences between the two. As well as increasing blood flow and oxygen in the brain, exercise floods the brain with a blissful neurochemical bath. Physical exercise stimulates the production of serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline and endorphins. For those who do not know already: endorphins is short for endogenous morphine (endogenous meaning produced by the body). Understanding that helps us understand the potency of these chemicals. Endorphins produce a powerful high and act as an extremely effective painkiller. So if you break both your legs, you should just go for a ten-mile run to kill the pain.. In all seriousness though the regular release of these chemicals works wonders for mental health disorders, namely depression and anxiety.