Physical activity benefits both physical and mental health. But how exactly does exercise aid in alleviating depression, anxiety, and stress? This is the question Lina Martinsson answers in the latest episode of KI’s podcast Medicinvetarna: Lyssnarfrågan.
– Among other things, exercise leads to increased activity and blood flow in the brain, as well as increased release of certain substances associated with the positive effects of depression treatment, such as dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin and a substance called bdnf, brain derived neurotrophic factor, which supports other cells in the brain, she says.
She advises engaging in enjoyable and sustainable forms of exercise. To promote physical activity among psychiatric patients, Dr. Martinsson and her colleagues have developed an initiative called “Braining” (training for the brain).
You can read more about the Braining project at their awesome website www.braining.nu.
Rücklab - Psychiatry research at Karolinska Institutet 