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Exercise makes you smarter. Many people today do not believe that physical activity can actually influence their brains. Science has proven beyond a doubt that exercising triggers the release of chemicals in the brain that regenerate, repair and even to a certain extent enhance mental performance. Here is a quick overview of what is happening in the field of neuroscience with regards to physical activity. Hopefully you will be convinced at the end of the article that exercise makes you smarter.
Exercise Enhances and Supports Brain Function
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), is a molecule that helps support the survival of existing neurons and encourage the growth of new neurons. In the brain, it is active in the hippocampus, cortex, and basal forebrain. These are areas vital to learning, memory, and higher thinking. BDNF itself is important for long-term memory. An article related to this was published in the Journal of Exercise and Sports Sciences Review. According to the author, animals that exercised showed an increase in BDNF. A gene expression analysis provides further support that physical activity enhances and supports mental function. BDNF is the holy grail of enhancing mental abilities. Exercise makes you smarter by triggering your brain to release loads of BDNF.
Another article related to this was published in the Journal of Trends in Neurosciences. The authors said that extensive research in humans suggested that physical activity was beneficial for overall health and cognitive function. This was especially so during the later part of life. The author says that physical activity could increase levels of BDNF and other growth factors. It also stimulates neurogenesis which is the process that generates new neurons. Physical activity also stimulates the release of chemicals that protect the brain, improve learning and mental performance.
Physical Activity Enhances Brain Plasticity
Brain-plasticity is the ability of the brain to adapt and change with the assimilation of new experiences and knowledge. The ability for the neurons to make new connections as new information is available is why you have limitless mental ability. A non-plastic brain would would have a limit to the amount of information it can hold as the neurons cannot adapt and make new connections. Physical activity enhances brain-plasticity. This was what the researchers stated in the Journal of Trends in Neurosciences.
The research on the benefits of exercise on the brain is growing. Yet very few people are aware of it. Exercise makes you smarter and there is little doubt about it.
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