Aerobic workouts and mind-body practices like yoga both offer immediate relief from anxiety and bad moods. However, new research shows that getting your heart pumping is necessary to trigger the release of specific mood-elevating biological molecules.
Aerobic routines and mind-body practices like yoga both relieve anxiety and lift momentary moods, but getting the heart pumping is necessary to trigger the release of certain biological molecules. These results, published in the
Source and reference
journal Psychoneuroendocrinology , show that while diverse workout routines offer psychological benefits, the underlying internal processes vary by activity. Physical activity sets off a cascade of physiological responses throughout the human body. Among these reactions is the release of exerkines, which are signaling molecules secreted into the bloodstream by tissues during exertion. Researchers study these molecules to understand exactly how working out improves mental health and cognitive function. Two major categories of exerkines are endocannabinoids and a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, often abbreviated as BDNF. Endocannabinoids, primarily molecules known as AEA and 2-AG, bind to the same nervous system receptors as the active compounds in cannabis. These naturally produced chemicals help regulate pain, mood, and stress responses. The BDNF protein supports...
Read original source- Published
- Jul 17, 2026
- Updated
- Jul 17, 2026
- Source
- Psypost - Psychology News
- Category
- Health
- Read time
- 6 min
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