For many years the prevailing thought about the brain was that it was relatively static. You had a large number of neurons populating your brain that was set from an early age, changing this would require some sort of surgery. We’re well past this idea now, as neuroscience has uncovered just how malleable the brain is.

In fact, any experience or thought changes the brain, when we learn something new, there are physical alterations to your neurons taking place. Even better, in some cases, we can grow entirely new neurons, in effect upping the capacity of our minds. One of the most important proteins involved this process — called neurogenesis — is brain derived neurotrophic factor, or BNDF. One of the best ways to boost BDNF? Exercise. Fast Company explains:

Much of the research in exercise and its effects on the brain has focused on the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain involved in shifting attention, personality, and executive functions like decision making. While exercise doesn’t produce new brain cells in the prefrontal cortex, it does promote gliogenesis, or the production of support cells that connect neural cells in the prefrontal cortex, allowing them to work more efficiently.

During exercise, there’s a hormone secreted by the muscles called irisin, which stimulates the presence of BDNF, or brain-derived neurotrophic factor, important for the efficient transmission of signals in the brain. “BDNF, like the oil in a car, will grease the wheels and make the brain work better,” says [Wendy] Suzuki.

Exercise is your best bet for maintaining not only a healthy body, but a healthy mind, well into old age. Check out the full post for more details about BDNF and it’s effects.

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