Your Brain on the cardio drug

Info from Women's Health Magazine

While your body is pumping and sweating and huffing and puffing most people understand what's happening in your muscles. But do you know what happens in your noggin? You produce extra red blood cells which bathe your brain cells in oxygen and glucose, which they need to function. And, the more they get, the better they perform. It also sends hormones rushing to your brain which then combines with a chemical for growth and learning. 


"Exercise has another vital role: It signals the release of several key hormones, including serotonin, the famed mood booster; dopamine, which affects learning and attention; and norepinephrine, which influences attention, perception, motivation, and arousal." The intensity of your cardio workout also makes a difference. Studies report that the more-demanding an exercise, the bigger spike in their brains' chemicals and hormones. For intense workouts these mood-boosting effects can last up to 12 hours post-workout! While the reason for this is not completely known, it is thought that exercise— known as a "positive" stress—effectively rewires the brain to help deal with less pleasant stresses. 


So you are already feeling great, but you receive more benefits: "exercise improves attention, memory, accuracy, and how quickly you process information, all of which helps you make smarter decisions," says Charles H. Hillman, Ph.D. It takes about 30 minutes of cardio three times a week (minimum) to experience these effects. This builds up the chemicals and hormones to have continued effects--which will leave you happier, stress-free, and mentally on top of your game long after your sweat session.