It should be no secret that working out is good for your brain. The evidence is clear that a good fitness program can reduce stress, boost endorphins, improve self-confidence, create new brain cells, reduce anxiety, increase memory and ability to learn, afford better life discipline, and help to control addictions…just to name a few of the general benefits.
In fact, working out can be more effective, and certainly more natural than taking pills for depression or anxiety. “Exercise releases endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria. Studies have shown that exercise can even alleviate symptoms among the clinically depressed.”¹
Cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells. This is known as neurogenesis, the process for growth and development of nervous tissues.
Adding infrared to the workout environment can lend another dimension to emotional and cognitive health benefits from workouts. Infrared heat causes the brain to generate brain-derived neurotrophic factor, known as BDNF. BDNF is one of the most active neurotrophins which are chemicals that stimulate and control neurogenesis.
“In the brain, BDNF is active in the hippocampus, cortex, and forebrain—areas vital to learning, memory, and higher thinking. Hence, BDNF is important for long-term memory.
It is also expressed in the retina, motor neurons, the kidneys, saliva, and the prostate.
BDNF has been shown to play a role in neuroplasticity, which allows nerve cells in the brain to compensate for the injury, new situations or changes in the environment.
BDNF helps to support the survival of existing neurons and encourages the growth, regeneration and creation of new neurons and synapses [synapses are the connectors between the neurons in your brain that allow for communication].”²
BDNF protein is good for learning and memory…
“The BDNF gene provides instructions for making a protein found in the brain and spinal cord called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This protein promotes the survival of nerve cells (neurons) by playing a role in the growth, maturation (differentiation), and maintenance of these cells. In the brain, the BDNF protein is active at the connections between nerve cells (synapses), where cell-to-cell communication occurs. The synapses can change and adapt over time in response to experience, a characteristic called synaptic plasticity. The BDNF protein helps regulate synaptic plasticity, which is important for learning and memory.
The BDNF protein is found in regions of the brain that control eating, drinking, and body weight; the protein likely contributes to the management of these functions.”³
In addition to the stimulation of BDNF, infrared heat exposure can help to speed up the functioning of your brain…
“Studies have found that sauna use substantially increases norepinepherine levels, a hormone that increases focus and attention span. Heat stress also increases prolactin, a hormone which encourages the growth of myelin (the insulation around the nerve fibres in your brain), which determines how fast your brain works.”4
Do something good for your brain. Add infrared and heat to your workouts.
Steve
