Episode 33 of the Brain Science Podcast is an interview with Harvard physician, Dr. John Ratey about his new book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.
John J Ratey, MD
We explore the exciting evidence about how exercise helps the brain. It stimulates the release of a number of different neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, but probably more importantly it helps keeps these compounds balanced. We consider why exercise is so important in dealing with stress, in treating a wide range of mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorder. There is also evidence that exercise improves our ability to learn and our ability to avoid the loss of mental agility associated with aging.
This episode contains information that everyone can use. I hope you will share it with your friends and family.
Links and References:
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (2008) by John J. Ratey
Dr. Ratey’s website: Go here for more interview of Dr. Ratey and also to find links to the latest research about exercise and the brain.
Listen to Dr. Ratey’s Interview Now.
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Filed under: Interviews, Neuroscience, Podcast Show Notes, brain science | Tagged: brain fitness, brain science, brain science podcast, exercise and the brain, John J Ratey, John Ratey, MD, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and th
That was great! I popped on this baby when just before i when for a walk with my mp3 player and it was realy enjoyable. Thanks making such great and informative pod casts!
I’ll be sure to follow this site closely from now.
Wow, very informative site i like this. For the Author of this site. Keep up the very nice work
This episode was my first listen to your podcast. I’ve been interested in neuroscience as a hobby for sometime and this is a great way to feed that monster.
Keep em coming. I will be listening.
rs
Thank you for your commitment to the podcast, I have been listening for about a year, the podcast on exercise has inspired me and with the coming of spring in Canada I will try to run outside. I would still like to hear about stimulating the brain and creating new pathways with non physical challenges and exercise. Thank you.
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I’m doing a project on how exercise helps with the brain and for memory.
I was wondering if you can help me understand it better.
Nikki,
I suggest getting Ratey’s book and looking up the references. You can also find more references at http://brainrules.net/.
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I really enjoyed the podcast. I have a question if exercise is good for you why is there some people who simply do not like to exercise and as a result don’t? Is there anything you can do to overcome this negative feeling?
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Wonderful. Thanks, Dr. Ratey.
Thinking about Mike Pantaleo’s comment it seems that for some people there is a natural resistance to exercise. Many people (myself included) who do enjoy exercise have days when they’d rather not do it. Then it becomes mind over matter, in my experience. The will to benefit from the exercise must outweigh the resistance. Having a schedule seems to help, and having other people to exercise with, or paying a personal trainer…
Martin
http://www.mindevolvesoftware.com
Great post; It leaves one wondering though just how long will it will be before the critical role and all round importance of exercise in the treating of many, if not most, mental and physical conditions is fully recognised; be this within society as a whole or amongst professionals within their respective fields.
Its as if every time we hear of another refreshing exercise focused solution to a serious mental health or physical problem its as if we’re hearing thissolution for the first time!
How can this be?
But then I think to myself. I am 56 and when I come to think back I have never been advised by a medical practitioner to take exercise; simply for the purpose of taking exercise and the good it will do me.
Surely in 56 years it would be resonable to think that this would have been mentioned in pasiing; given that I’m a normal sort of guy with a pretty ordinary mix of ailments that I’ve been afflicted with over the passing years.
Dare i ask? Are we in the realm of there being a politically correct issue here? Are profesionals in some way frightened about saying very loudly and very clearly, [because people don't exercise and generally don't seem to want to] that exercise is something they must partake in and that this is what they HAVE GOT TO DO?
The health of our nation is in crissis. Exercise has a major role to play in helping to correct many conditions; how is it the’get fit and keep fit’ sector, for want of a better phrase, is so poorly funded; that the insights of the general masses are so shallow in terms of what exercises they should be doing and the reality that as new exercise focused solutions keep popping up we keep thinking a great new revaltion has been presented to us.
excellent information. Our youth in this nation need mental and body workouts in a major way. This is a way to get both done.
Great podcast. I know that exercise helps me both mentally and physically. I also know how important it is to have physical education in the school system. Right now my kids are fortunate to have sports and physical education. Hopefully, this won’t be cut next year. Thanks for the great information.