Exercise and the Brain: The Neurological Effects of Physical Activity

Most people already know that exercise is good for us but what they don’t know is how good exercise can be for our brain. Exercise benefits the brain in many ways such as, stress management, improving cognitive function, and enhancing memory. Exercise can look like many different things like walking, hiking, running, and even hitting chest workouts at the gym;, there are countless more ways to get exercise in that give us these incredible benefits. The type of exercise that you choose doesn’t matter as long as you are able to stay consistent with it, whichthis makes exercise one of the best tools for maintaining a healthy brain throughout your life. 

One thing that greatly leads to maintaining a healthy brain is the process of neurogenesis. This process is when our brain produces more neurons, specifically in the hippocampus which leads to improved memory and learning abilities. When we exercise, we have seen that this leads to an increase in neurogenesis meaning that exercise can directly impact our ability to learn,  and form, and recall memories. It has also been proven that exercise leads to anthe increase in neurotrophins, whichthese are associated with neuron survival, development, and function. When there is an increase in neurotrophins in our brains it results in greater brain plasticity which leads to a better memory and improved learning. There are studies that have seen exercise leadled to biochemical changes in the brain. The changes that they have seen are brain- derived growth factor (BDNF), which causes the proliferation of neurons, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which results in critical blood vessel growth, and an insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), whichthat helps in the process of angiogenesis. All of these biochemical changes that occur help increase the amount of oxygen that is delivered all over the body. Consistent exercise helps reduces the risk of developing any cognitive impairment. As we get older, declining cognitive ability is almost inevitable, but people whothat exercise regularly are able to slow this process down and stay sharp even longer than a person who doesn’t exercise regularly. 

Regular exercise can be a mood enhancer. When people exercise, the brain produces more endorphins and sends signals to produce less stress hormones. Our body produces more endorphins which act as our bodies natural pain killers and mood enhancers. Working out leads to higher levels of endorphins, and this leads to an overall better feeling. Stress hormones are a natural depressant that put us in worse moods, and worse mental health situations. Exercising means that we are able to combat those stress hormones and not reach those low mental states. 

From experience, I have seen all of these to be true about exercise. I have spent the last three months transforming myself to be better by spending time every day being active. In theThe last three months, I have been able to see a real shift in my ability to learn information, my school grades have improved. The biggest change that I have seen from the last three3 months of regular exercise has been the improvement in my mental health. Every day feels more positive and I have more motivation to exercise and to get schoolwork done. Regular exercise truly does help the brain more than most people know. At first, it was just to be physically fit, but soon after, I learned that it helps me physically but more importantly it has helped me mentally and with every day activities that I didn’t expect. 

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Konopka, L. M. (2015). How exercise influences the brain: A neuroscience perspective. Croatian Medical Journal, 56(2), 169–171. https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2015.56.169

Godman, H. (2014, April 9). Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110

Services, D. of H. & H. (n.d.). Exercise and mental health. Retrieved April 5, 2025, from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/exercise-and-mental-health