Regular exercise---long considered an essential part of a healthy lifestyle---may have one more benefit to offer. Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter, is believed to be increased through physical activity, according to several recent studies. The significance of these findings is not lost on mental health professionals who contend that regular exercise should be regarded as a central feature in battling chronic depression.
The Importance of Serotonin
Serotonin figures prominently in the treatment of anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder among other conditions. Unfortunately, not everyone produces serotonin to the extent required for a balanced, healthy system.
Raising Serotonin
The need to increase serotonin levels for some people has led science to explore the best possible options for that outcome. A 2007 article in "Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience" offers a variety of ways in which serotonin levels can be raised---including increased amino acids in the diet and frequent exposure to bright light. The site acknowledges, however, that the most reliable means of increasing serotonin levels currently involves the use of medication. MAO inhibitors---the type of drugs most commonly used to treat low serotonin---have brought results to millions, but also cause a range of side effects. Additionally, such drugs carry the stigma---in the eyes of some---of being another example of simply swallowing a pill to solve life's problems.
Exercise
The desire to find more natural ways in which to address low serotonin has led to a new focus: exercise. The article in "Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience" reports on a comprehensive study by the National Health Service in Great Britain, which discovered that there is a definite correlation between exercise and mood. These findings confirm the theory that exercise increases the brain's synaptic transmission of neurotransmitters---particularly serotonin. In fact, their findings suggest an advantage to treating mild depression with a varied approach---including exercise---rather than antidepressants. In such cases, the less than desirable risk-benefit ratio for antidepressants in the treatment of mild depression makes exercise the preferred approach for serotonin enhancement.
Intensity
In addition to the basic question of the relationship between exercise and serotonin, it's important to know which type of exercise is optimal. An article published on the website of Vanderbilt University reports that a study measuring the effects of different levels of intensity in workouts concluded that moderately intense exercise delivered the best results. Aside from any fundamental chemical difference between these types of exercise, theories posed the likelihood that more intense workouts added greater stress to the experience. It's also worth mentioning that high intensity exercise is beyond the capability of many people. Whatever type of exercise you might be considering, however, consulting a physician prior to starting is always advisable.
Exercise as Part of a Regimen
The "Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience" article takes pains to point out that while exercise might have positive effects on serotonin levels, it should not be relied upon as a one-faceted solution. It strongly recommends exercise as part of a broader regimen that includes a balanced diet, adequate sleep and even psychiatric therapy in some cases. Medication is also a necessary part of certain treatment plans---generally for more severe cases of anxiety and depression. Exercise, as valuable as it is, cannot make up for shortcomings in other areas.
