Move Your Body, Grow Your Brain: The Mind-Blowing Science of Exercise and Neuron Growth

May 7

I’ve always been a bit of a science nerd (hello, have you seen my post about the moon rusting? or anything else I’ve written).

I mean, who doesn’t love a good “holy cow, really?” moment when you stumble across a study that totally flips your perspective of the world on its head? Well, I had one of those moments the other day while scrolling through Instagram (yes, I know, not exactly the hub of academic research, but hear me out).

I came across a post from thefarmacyreal that stopped me in my tracks: “New study finds exercising for 30 minutes a day increases neuron growth by 400%.”

Four. Hundred. Percent.

I had to sit with that for a minute while I scrolled through the comments to think about it. Neuron growth, as in, new brain cells? From just half an hour of moving my body each day? Between this theory and the study showing Omega 3s are also helping to form new neuron growth, I felt like I could be the next Einstein! If that’s true, sign me up, I’ll be jogging to the grocery store, doing push-ups while I wait for my coffee to brew, and maybe even squatting my way through Netflix binges. Okay, just kidding, I really don’t want to do that.

But, of course, I couldn’t just take an Instagram post at face value (no matter how many likes it had…11.6K, by the way).

So, I went down a rabbit hole to figure out what this claim is all about, what the science says, and how we can actually use this info to make our brains sharper, happier, and healthier.

Spoiler alert: there’s a lot of truth to this, and it’s honestly kind of mind-blowing.

What Even Is Neuron Growth?

Before we dive into the exercise part, let’s get clear on what we’re talking about when we say “neuron growth.” Neurons are the building blocks of your brain and nervous system, they’re the cells that help you think, feel, move, and basically do everything that makes you, well, you.

For a long time, scientists believed that you were born with all the neurons you’d ever have. Aka, if you’re like me you were told this more often than you’d care to admit every time you hit your head on anything by mistake. Once you hit adulthood, that was it they said, no new brain cells for you. If you lost some to injury, stress, or too many late-night margaritas, tough luck. You’re screwed.

But in the late 1990s, researchers discovered something game-changing: adult brains can grow new neurons. My parents must’ve missed the memo, because they kept telling me this until late 2010s. Anyway, this process is called neurogenesis, and it happens primarily in a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is heavily involved in learning, memory, and regulating emotions.

When new neurons are born, they smooth their way into existing brain circuits, helping you adapt, learn new things, and even manage stress better. Pretty cool, right?

Now, here’s where things get a little exciting. Certain lifestyle factors (like sleep, diet, and…you guessed it…exercise) can supercharge neurogenesis. And that Instagram post? It’s pointing to a growing body of research that shows exercise might be one of the most powerful ways to boost neuron growth.

But 400%? That’s a big number!!

The Study That Started It All (Or At Least Got Me Curious)

The Instagram post didn’t link to a specific study (classic social media move), but claims like this often stem from research on exercise and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF.

BDNF is like Miracle-Gro for your brain, it’s a protein that Google says supports the growth, survival, and maintenance of neurons. Higher BDNF levels are linked to more neurogenesis, better memory, and even a lower risk of mental health issues like depression! Magical stuff, we like BDNF.

So, I started digging into the research, and while I couldn’t find a study that explicitly says “30 minutes of exercise increases neuron growth by 400%,” (thanks a lot Instagram) I did find some pretty interesting evidence that supports the general idea.

For example, a 2016 study published in the Journal of Physiology found that regular aerobic exercise (like running or cycling) can increase BDNF levels in the brain by up to 300-500% in animal models.

In humans, the numbers are a bit more modest, but still impressive enough: a 2020 meta-analysis in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews showed that a single 30-minute session of moderate-intensity exercise can boost BDNF levels by 20-40% in healthy adults.

Now, BDNF isn’t the same as neuron growth, it’s more like the fertilizer that helps new neurons sprout.

But studies on rodents (who share a surprising amount of brain biology with us) have shown that exercise-induced BDNF spikes lead to measurable increases in new neurons in the hippocampus, sometimes by as much as 200-500% compared to sedentary rodents. So, that 400% number?

It’s not totally out of left field, especially if we’re talking about the potential downstream effects of exercise over time.

But let’s be real, you’re not a lab rat, and I’m not either. So what does this mean for us humans trying to navigate busy lives, Zoom meetings, and the occasional Netflix binge?

Why 30 Minutes a Day Is the Sweet Spot

Here’s the part I love the most about this study, you don’t have to become a marathon runner or a CrossFit champion to get these brain-boosting benefits. Let’s be real, not everyone is my husband, Zak Edington. The Instagram post specifically mentions 30 minutes a day, and that seems to align beautifully with what researchers have found out there on the interwebs.

Studies show that moderate-intensity exercise (like brisk walking, cycling, or a light jog) for 20-40 minutes is enough to trigger a cascade of brain benefits, including that BDNF spike we talked about.

Why 30 minutes you might wonder?
It seems to be the Goldilocks zone, long enough to get your heart rate up and stimulate those neurochemical changes, but not so long that you’re exhausted or risking injury. Plus, it’s doable for most people. I mean, 30 minutes is roughly the length of a sitcom episode (minus the ads).

You can squeeze that into your day, right?

And the best part is that you don’t have to do it all at once. Research suggests that breaking up your 30 minutes into smaller chunks (like three 10-minute walks!!!) can still deliver similar benefits. So if you’re someone who struggles to carve out a solid half-hour, don’t even sweat it.

A quick walk during your lunch break, a dance party with your kids, or even some stretching while you catch up on emails can all add up.

The Mental Health Connection: Exercise as a Mood Booster

Here’s where things get even more interesting, because brain benefits aren’t enough to convince you.

Neurogenesis isn’t just about getting smarter, it’s also about feeling better. The hippocampus plays a big role in regulating emotions, and low neurogenesis has been linked to conditions like depression and anxiety. In fact, some researchers believe that the antidepressant effects of exercise (which are well-documented) come partly from its ability to boost neuron growth.

In my post about dopamine hobbies, I shared how every day hobbies helped me manage stress and anxiety during a particularly chaotic time in my life.

Knowing now that those walks were also helping my brain grow new neurons…that makes me love them even more.

And it’s not just me, studies back this up! A 2019 study in The Lancet Psychiatry found that people who exercise regularly have a 43% lower risk of developing depression compared to those who don’t. Another study in Frontiers in Psychology showed that just 20-30 minutes of just moderate exercise a day can reduce symptoms of anxiety by up to 20%.

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, a quick workout might be just what your brain needs to reset.

What About the Long-Term Benefits?

Let’s zoom out for a second. If you commit to 30 minutes of movement a day, what can you expect down the road? The short-term perks (like better focus and a happier mood) are awesome, but the long-term benefits are where things get really exciting.

A sharper mind as you age because regular exercise has been shown to slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. A 2022 study in Neurology found that older adults who exercised regularly had a 30% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those who were sedentary.

Also, those new neurons in your hippocampus? They help you learn new skills, solve problems, and think more creatively. So if you’ve been wanting to pick up a new hobby or tackle a big project, exercise might give you the mental edge you need.

Exercise doesn’t just grow new neurons, it also makes your brain more adaptable. That basically means you’re better equipped to handle stress, bounce back from challenges, and stay mentally sharp even as life throws curveballs your way. Because, let’s be honest, no one throws curveballs as good as life just when you think you’ve got everything under control.

Your Brain Deserves This

So, let’s circle back to that Instagram post. Is the “400% neuron growth” claim 100% accurate?

Maybe not in the literal sense, at least not for humans based on the studies I could find. But the spirit of it absolutely is. Exercise, even just 30 minutes a day, has a profound impact on your brain. It boosts BDNF, promotes neurogenesis, and sets off a chain reaction of benefits that can make you smarter, happier, and more resilient.

I don’t know about you, but I’m sold. I’ve already started making a point to move more every day, whether it’s a walk around my neighborhood with my tiny little fat dog Riesling, a quick yoga session, or even some jumping jacks while I wait for my tea to steep. And knowing that I’m literally growing my brain while I do it? That’s the kind of motivation I didn’t know I needed.

So, what’s your next step? Find 30 minutes in your day, pick a movement you love, and give your brain the gift it deserves. You’ve got this.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This content is for general wellness information only and should not replace medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider.

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Michele Gargiulo http://michelegargiulo.com