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Saturday, August 9, 2014

Another Reason to Exercise - Memory


Why do I do cardio for 15-20mins the morning of my midterms, finals, SAT's, and other important exams? Well, simply put, exercise helps you remember thinks and makes you more sharp! When we engage in intense physical activity, our body releases a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This chemical helps our memories work better by rewiring and strengthening the neural pathways in the brain. So basically, when we learn, our brain is wiring itself to make certian neurons connect, and our memory is (presumably) contained with these connections between neurons. So when I say BDNF aids these connections, it promotes neuroplasticity in that these neural connections become stronger and allow better memory recovery as well as higher cognitive functioning. Thus, if you want to conquer exam, I highly suggest exercising the morning of your exam! BDNF also causes neurogenesis, or the creation of new neurons, which keeps the brain healthy and functioning. 

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