Promote Brain Plasticity And Keep Your Mind At Ease
This is a writeup of an article written by Dr. Arash Javanbakht entitled “Promote brain plasticity and keep your mind at ease by taking your daily ‘exercise pill”.
This article was published by SharpBrains Newsletter as part of their published articles on neuroplasticity, brain health and innovation. The monthly SharpBrains Newsletter, written by the SharpBrains staff and dozens of expert contributors, provides an informed and engaging perspective on important news around neuroplasticity, brain health and innovation. The article entitled “Promote brain plasticity and keep your mind at ease by taking your daily ‘exercise pill’” appeared in the July 2021 edition.
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Back to Dr. Javanbakht’s article:
Dr. Arash Javanbakht, M.D., is the director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC) at Wane State University. This article was originally published on The Conversation.
Dr. Javanbakht recounts that, in his practice, he regularly recommended physical activity to patients – it was just a doctor chore for him, until a few years ago. That was because he himself was not very active. Over the years, as he picked up boxing and became more active, he experienced firsthand the positive impacts of exercise on his mind. He learned a lot more about the neurobiology of exercise, as a psychiatrist and neuroscientist researching the neurobiology of anxiety and how people’s interventions change their brain.
He says that we have all heard details on how exercise improves aspects of health, such as musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and metabolic health. What we may not realize is how this happens within the brain.
Brain plasticity and growth
According to Dr. Javanbakht, regular exercise, especially cardio, does change the brain. Contrary to what some people may think, the brain is a very plastic organ. New neuronal connections formed every day. In addition, new cells are generated in important areas of the brain. One such key area is the hippocampus, which plays a key role in learning and memory as well as in regulating negative emotions.
As Dr. Javanbakht discovered, moderate exercise also seems to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body, regulating the immune system and excessive inflammation. This is all the more important, in light of the new insight neuroscience is currently gaining into the potential role of inflammation in anxiety and depression. Finally, there is evidence of the positive effects of exercise on the neurotransmitters – which are the brain chemicals that send signals between neurons – dopamine and endorphins.
Read Dr. Javanbahkt’s complete article by clicking here.
Google defines “Brain Plasticity” as follows:
Brain plasticity, also known as neuroplasticity, is a term that refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt as a result of experience. When people say that the brain possesses plasticity, they are not suggesting that the brain is similar to plastic.
To read another interesting article on Brain Plasticity, click here:
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