Boost Your Mood: Exercise Fights Depression at the Molecular Level
- Healing_ Passion
- Jul 16, 2024
- 1 min read
Depression, a leading cause of disability globally, is characterized by low mood, anhedonia, fatigue, and cognitive impairment, collectively known as ‘interest-activity’ symptoms. Impaired motivation, linked to reward-processing deficits and lower effort exertion for rewards, is crucial in depression and is associated with poor treatment outcomes. If you are feeling down? struggling with motivation?
Exercise might be your new best friend! Recent research reveals that aerobic exercise can significantly alleviate symptoms of depression by working on a molecular level.
Here's how:
Boosts Dopamine: Exercise increases dopamine transmission, enhancing motivation and reward processing. This means you'll be more willing to exert effort and find joy in activities!
Reduces Inflammation: By lowering systemic inflammation, exercise helps maintain healthy dopamine levels, which are crucial for mental well-being.
Enhances Cognitive Function: Improved dopamine transmission also aids in cognitive control, helping you stay focused and clear-headed.
Take the first step towards a happier, healthier you. Lace-up those sneakers and start moving!
Hird, E.J., et al., From movement to motivation: a proposed framework to understand the antidepressant effect of exercise. Translational Psychiatry, 2024. 14(1): p. 273.
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