Just one workout can elevate brain health, and regular routines make it even better.
Published In: Journal of Psychiatric Research
Date: January 2015
Authors: Szuhany et al.
Link to Study: DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.10.003
Summary
This meta-analysis reviewed 29 studies involving over 1,100 people to investigate how exercise affects levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein critical for brain function. The researchers found that a single session of exercise moderately boosts BDNF, and this effect is even stronger if you’re regularly active. Regular exercise also leads to small but measurable increases in BDNF even at rest. However, the benefits were smaller in women than in men.
Key Takeaways
✅ A single workout significantly boosts BDNF, a brain-supporting chemical.
✅ Regular exercisers get an even bigger BDNF boost from each session.
✅ Long-term exercise slightly raises baseline BDNF levels over time.
✅ Women may experience smaller increases in BDNF from exercise than men.
✅ Exercise benefits both healthy individuals and those with mental health conditions like depression.
Why It Matters for You
Whether you’re aiming to improve memory, mood, or overall brain function, lacing up your sneakers could be one of the most powerful—and accessible—ways to support your brain. The more consistently you move, the more your brain benefits.
Citation
Szuhany, K. L., Bugatti, M., & Otto, M. W. (2015). A meta-analytic review of the effects of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 60, 56–64.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4314337/