Physical activity is a brain fertilizer that stimulates the mind

Dr. López Rosetti talks about the importance of brain fertilization

Physical activity has many well-known benefits. It improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and joints, and optimizes respiratory system function, among others. But there is something else that we often overlook: the impact it has on the brain.

Yes, science has proven that exercise also acts as a fertilizante cerebral.

When one performs physical activity, whether aerobic or strength, the movement of the muscles generates proteins called mioquinas. These travel through the body and reach the brain, where they trigger the production of a key substance: BDNFacronym in English for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factorwhat does it mean brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

This molecule is vital for the neurogénesiswhich is the creation of new neurons, and the sinaptogénesiswhich is the connection between them. Put more simply, it is as if our neurons grow and connect better thanks to this “brain fertilizer.”

Physical activity triggers the production of proteins called myokines (Illustrative Image Infobae)

What does all this mean? What physical exercise not only helps our muscles and joints work better, but also improves our cognitive functions. The ability to learn, remember and even the speed with which we process information is optimized. It is surprising, but by moving the body we are also taking care of our mind.

The interesting thing is that For many years it was thought that neurons did not regenerate.that we were born with a fixed amount and that over time we would lose it irreversibly. However, about two decades ago, science changed this idea completely.

Through studies in laboratory animals, it was discovered that neurons in certain areas of the brain, such as the hippocampuscan not only regenerate, but also increase in number and improve their functionality if we exercise regularly.

And it is not just laboratory animals. This phenomenon has also been observed in humans. There are very interesting studies on London taxi drivers, who, due to the complexity of their work, have to memorise a huge number of streets and routes.

Studies show how both physical and cognitive activity can increase the number and functionality of our neurons (Illustrative Image Infobae)

By studying their brains, scientists found that after years of intense cognitive activity, their hippocampus had also increased in size. This shows us that Both physical activity and mental effort contribute to improving our brain structure..

Furthermore, it has been shown that in older people, walk regularly — 30 ​​or 40 minutes a day — has a positive impact on the brain. A year of consistent walking can increase the size of the hippocampus, the same area that grew in London taxi drivers and in mice that exercised.

This type of physical activity not only helps improve memory, but also prevents cognitive decline, helping to keep the mind agile and healthy over time.

But the benefit is not limited to the hippocampus. prefrontal cortexresponsible for executive functions such as decision making, abstract thinking and planning, is also favored by physical activity. When exercising, the connections between neurons of this region of the brain are increased, which improves our cognitive abilities in general.

Beyond strengthening muscles, regular physical activity stimulates neurogenesis and synaptogenesis (Illustrative Image Infobae)

The wonderful thing about all this is that anyone can “make” their own brain fertilizer. You don’t need expensive gym equipment or endless hours of exercise. Walking, jogging, or doing simple strength exercises is enough to stimulate the production of BDNF and generate a chain of beneficial effects in our brain.

So when we talk about exercise, let’s not just think about the body. Physical activity is a powerful tool to improve our mental health and protect our cognitive functions. The brain, like our muscles, responds to movement. Walking is literally brain fertilizer.

* Dr. Daniel López Rosetti is a physician (MN 62540) from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). He is President of the Stress Section of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). He is the author of books such as: “Emotion and feelings” (Ed. Planeta, 2017), “Balance. How we think, how we feel, how we decide. User manual.” (Ed. Planeta, 2019), among others.