Back in January we highlighted a nice post on the New York Times Health blog about a few recent studies showing that physical activity including aerobic exercise and weight training can enhance cognitive functions like memory. Several of these studies have demonstrated that physical activity can actually change the brain by increasing neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons) and increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Neurogenesis and BDNF (low levels) have also been implicated in depression and might be at least partly responsible for the anti-depressant-like effects of physical activity that some people report experiencing.
Exercise might not always be the first thing we think of doing when we’re feeling sluggish or not so sharp, but it might be exactly what we need.