Health British Columbia

How different types of exercise impact mood and brain chemistry

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…

How different types of exercise impact mood and brain chemistry
Text to audio Audio version available

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
Key facts

Key facts

SectionHealth
Open
SourcePsypost - Psychology News
Open
PublishedJul 17, 2026
UpdatedJul 17, 2026

Why this matters locally

This health story matters locally because it may affect readers, businesses, commuters, families, or public services in British Columbia.

Local impact

BC Post links this item to British Columbia coverage so readers can follow related city updates, weather, traffic, events, and category news in one place.

Timeline

PublishedJul 17, 2026, 3:00 PMThis story was published by BC Post.
ImportedJul 17, 2026, 6:01 PMThe item entered the BC Post source pipeline.
UpdatedJul 17, 2026, 6:01 PMThe article record or local context was updated.
Transparency

Source and credit

BC Post may summarize, organize, and add local context for reader clarity. Original reporting remains with the listed publisher.

Psypost - Psychology News Published Jul 17, 2026 Imported Jul 17, 2026
Read Original Source
Psypost - Psychology News Jul 17, 2026
Read Original Source