Los beneficios del ejercicio para tu cerebro. Wendy Suzuki, neurocientífica

Summary

Exercise has a profound impact on both the immediate and long-term functioning of the brain. In the short term, it enhances mood by boosting positive neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, and improves attention span through the activation of the prefrontal cortex. Long-term, regular physical activity stimulates the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, a key area for memory. This can improve memory and slow down cognitive decline associated with aging and diseases like Alzheimer's. By maintaining physical fitness, individuals can improve their memory and protect their brain from age-related damage.

Takeaways

• 😀 Physical exercise has immediate benefits for the brain, such as improving mood by stimulating positive neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins.
• 😀 A single session of exercise also enhances your attention and focus by improving the activity of the prefrontal cortex.
• 😀 Engaging in exercise before situations requiring focus or a positive mood can help significantly boost performance.
• 😀 While the benefits of a single session are immediate, long-term exercise leads to permanent changes in the brain.
• 😀 Regular physical activity stimulates the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory.
• 😀 New brain cells in the hippocampus are more excitable and integrate better into memory circuits than older ones.
• 😀 Regular exercise can improve long-term memory because it promotes the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus.
• 😀 The hippocampus is one of only two areas in the adult brain where new cells can grow, the other being the olfactory bulb.
• 😀 Physical activity is especially important for maintaining brain health as we age, as it helps delay cognitive decline and memory deficits.
• 😀 Regular exercise improves the strength, size, number of synapses, and memory capacity of the hippocampus, making it more resistant to aging and conditions like Alzheimer's.

Q & A

What is the primary reason why exercise has a significant impact on the brain?

Exercise has a significant impact on the brain because it has immediate effects on brain function, such as improving mood and increasing the activity of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and endorphins.

How does exercise affect attention and focus in the short term?

Exercise improves the functioning of the prefrontal cortex, which enhances one's ability to manage and focus attention, and this improvement is noticeable after a single session of moderate-to-high intensity exercise.

What did the research in the laboratory find regarding exercise and attention?

The research found that a 50-minute session of moderate-to-high intensity exercise significantly improves the ability to focus and manage attention.

Why should you consider exercising before a challenging task?

Exercising before a challenging task can improve your mood and concentration, making you more likely to perform better in situations that require focus and a positive state of mind.

What long-term benefits does regular exercise have on the brain?

Regular exercise leads to long-term changes in the brain, particularly by stimulating the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory function.

How does exercise affect the hippocampus?

Exercise stimulates the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, which are more excitable and better integrated into memory circuits, improving memory function.

What role does the hippocampus play in the brain?

The hippocampus is vital for memory formation and function, and it is one of the primary areas affected by aging and diseases like Alzheimer's.

How does exercise help prevent memory decline associated with aging?

Exercise helps to maintain the strength, size, number of synapses, and memory capacity of the hippocampus, delaying the onset of memory deficits caused by aging.

What is the connection between exercise and Alzheimer's disease?

Exercise can delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease by slowing down the damage to the hippocampus, which is the brain region most affected by the disease.

Are there other areas in the brain where new cells can grow besides the hippocampus?

Yes, new cells can also grow in the olfactory bulb, which is stimulated by the presence of various odors. However, the hippocampus is of more interest due to its role in memory and its vulnerability to aging and dementia.