Exercise may help improve mood in people with mild to moderate depression, according to the Harvard Medical School. It may also play a supporting role in reducing symptoms of severe depression. These effects occur through various physical and psychological mechanism. Exercise should be considered an adjunct treatment to traditional depression therapies. Consult your health care provider about adding exercise to your treatment plan.
Significance
Aerobic exercise can result in substantial improvement in mood in patients with major depression in a short time, found a 2001 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Exercise is an attractive treatment for those patients who are resistant to medications. Some patients also avoid medications because of possible risks. While for most people, antidepressants are safe and effective, they can cause significant side effects.
Endorphins
Exercise enhances the action of mood-boosting endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters, chemicals that pass along signals from one neuron to another. They are produced in reaction to certain stimuli. When endorphins reach the opioid receptors of the brain's limbic system, they produce pleasure and satisfaction. Endorphins circulate throughout the body, improving natural immunity and reducing the perception of pain.
Other Neurotransmitters
Exercise can activate certain genes that increase the brain's level of galanin, a peptide neurotransmitter that regulates another brain chemical, norepinephrine, calming the body's stress response, according to a University of Georgia study by neuroscience professor Philip Holmes and his colleagues. The excess stimulation from exercise may prime the brain to show less stress in response to new stimuli. Exercise may also regulate the key neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that is lowered during depressed mood states.
Other Mechanisms
Exercise induces neural growth factors and creates new neurons in your brain, enhancing connectivity, according to James Blumenthal, exercise researcher and professor in the department of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University. Exercise reduces immune system chemicals that can worsen depression. It raises body temperature, which may have a calming effect. It may also bolster self-confidence and encourage a sense of self-mastery.
