Exercise and mental health: more than just medicine.

Brandon Pollock PhD, ACSM-EP-C

 

A study performed fifteen years ago on adult mice sought to determine the effects of exercise on mice neurological cell development. This was the first time exercise was ever shown to increase neurogenesis, which sparked a cascade of follow up investigations in both animals and humans to further determine the effects of exercise on mental health.

Current research today continues to discover new links between anxiety, depression, and exercise. While there are many unknown elements in this line of research, what is certain is that some combination of mood disorder now occurs in 30-40 percent of patients.  In most cases, doctors tend to prescribe medication instead of prescribing exercise.  Many prescribed anti-anxiety medications and anti-depressants relieve negative symptoms but may cause negative side effects.

 

Common side-effects of anti-anxiety/anti-depressants

Side-effects of anti-anxiety medications- Xanax, Valium, and Ativan:

Drowsiness, Slurred speech, Confusion, Disorientation, Dry mouth, Depression

Side-effects of antidepressant medications- Zoloft, Celexa, and Effexor:

Insomnia, Weight gain, Loss of sexual desire, Constipation, Dry mouth, Anxiety

 

Anti-anxiety/ anti-depressant medications function to eradicate anxiety and depression, but at what cost? These medications may treat disease, but in turn, they may lead to weight gain, fatigue, confusion, disorientation, sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal complications, dry mouth, and increased anxiety and depression.

An article published in 2006 listed several ways mental diseases can be prevented and treated through physical exercise.  Exercise does not generate any of the unwanted side effects associated with taking most medications. It likely improves upon them. Exercise is less expensive than medication, surgery, and hospitalization.

Exercise is medicine

This famous slogan of the American College of Sport’s Medicine has never been more appropriate. There are many known benefits of exercise to physical health.  There are equal, if not more, benefits of exercise to mental health.  Researchers have even considered exercising a “polypill”; because in addition to the many benefits in preventing/treating several mental diseases, it has the advantage of not generating adverse responses and of being a low-cost alternative.

In impacting mental health, exercise is far more than just medicine. It is a therapeutic and preventative technique. The next time you are feeling anxious or depressed and exercise may be the last thing on your mind, remind yourself that exercise is the best medicine, as long as you can muster up the courage!

 

*Before beginning an exercise regimen, consult with your physician or healthcare provider.

 

Article’s Resources

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6. van Praag H, Kempermann G, Gage FH. Running increases cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the adult mouse dentate gyrus. Nature neuroscience. Mar 1999;2(3):266-270.