It has long since been established that exercise is a very effective means of treating many mental illnesses and is also an important part of maintaining overall good health. In particular, many doctors and psychologists now recommend exercise as a powerful augmentation when used in conjunction with the more conventional psychological and pharmacological treatments. We do not yet have a complete understanding of the complex physical mechanisms which underpin mental illnesses, but we do know that the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine both play an important role.
It is now thought that the mechanism by which exercise is able to help with mental illness is through its effects on serotonin and dopamine. We now know that exercise raises levels of both, as do many of the medications which are prescribed to sufferers of these conditions. This offers a potential explanation for the precise mechanism by which exercise improves mental health.
Exercise and Brain Chemistry
Depression is a mental illness which is characterized by prolonged periods of apathy and sadness. It is a very complex condition, and also one that we have only recently begun to fully understand. There are many contributing factors to depression, but biochemistry plays a central role. We now believe that most people who are depressed have a corresponding abnormality in their brains, which can take the form of a physical or structural abnormality or an imbalance in brain chemistry.
Neurotransmitters
Most people have heard of the runner’s high, the feeling of euphoria experienced by runners after a particularly intensive workout. Exactly what the runner’s high is and what causes it is only vaguely understood. It used to be thought that endorphins played a significant role, however, we now know that when patients are given opioid antagonists, drugs that block the effect of endorphin, the effect is not lessened.
Levels of endorphins are also thought to play a role in regulating mood and this provides us with another potential aspect of how exercise can help to combat mental illness. However, the two neurotransmitters most heavily affected by exercise are serotonin and dopamine.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the correlation between exercise and levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which is involved in regulating a number of different biological processes, amongst them is an individual’s mood.
Dopamine is often referred to as the brains reward chemical, it is this neurotransmitter which reinforces positive behavior, as well as mediating feelings of pleasure. The website examinedexistence.com has some information about dopamine and its function. When we exercise, especially if the exercise is particularly intense, then dopamine levels rise. This rise is believed to be responsible for the feelings of pleasure and positive mood that many feel following an exercise session.
Other Mental Health Benefits
Exercise isn’t just beneficial for these specific mental illnesses. It is beneficial for overall health and well-being, too. As well as altering the levels of neurotransmitters, exercise also gives individuals something to focus their thoughts on and can help to take their mind off other issues.
Exercising is an effective way of treating mental illness. While everyone understands the importance of exercise in maintaining our physical health, its role in raising neurotransmitter levels and improving mood is less well appreciated.
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