What can running do for brain health?

Running stimulates brain growth. Studies have been carried out which prove that regular aerobic exercise, such as running , can increase brain volume . This is thought to be due to a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which encourages new brain cells to be made and existing brain cells to grow. High levels of BDNF are also linked with low rates of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

So basically this means that running can benefit brain health by promoting brain growth. It can prevent/help people with neurological disorders like depression and OCD. But if your brain is healthy, running will make it even healthier.

Additionally, according to a study published in the journal NeuroImage, runners show more gray matter and lower levels of white brain matter than people who don’t exercise as much (study by Raichlen et al., 2012). Gray brain matter helps facilitate information processing, which means that runners can use and process more brainpower than those who don’t exercise as much.

-Gray brain matter: brain tissue with a relatively high cell density, composed mainly of the cell bodies and neuropil (the ‘wiring’) of neurons; most concentrated in the cerebral cortex.

-White brain matter: brain tissue consisting mainly of myelinated axons projecting to and from the brain; most concentrated in the cerebellum.

What happens?

Going for a run stimulates brain growth due to increased blood circulation, which helps increase brain function. Additionally, running helps release neurotransmitters like dopamine. Dopamine is the brain chemical that controls pleasure and motivation. It’s also linked to personality traits like extraversion. Running gives you energy, which means more motivation to go out running again!