/sci/ - Science & Math

[opafag !c3uu/mE0SQ No.2158697]

how does exercise improve depression, neurobiologically? in return for your hard work, i post my favorite images.

[Anonymous No.2158709]

Please consult best movie ever:
Legally Blonde
"working out creates endorphines, endorphines make people happy... and happy people dont just shoot their husbands!"

[Anonymous No.2158720]

>>2158709
>browse /sci/
>OP asks legitimate question
>quote Legally Blonde

[opafag !c3uu/mE0SQ No.2158722]

>>2158709
i guess i'm confused by gene expression, and more specifically, the effects of a major depressive episode on the brain. i've read that they last 8 months, but why? and does exercise decrease this time?

[Anonymous No.2158735]

It increases the feel good neurotransmitter. Seratonin or dopamine I think. And no, it does not break any episodes or anything. It only lasts for a while.

[opafag !c3uu/mE0SQ No.2158758]

>>2158735
is there any reason the episode lasts x months? is it because of gene expression?

[sage No.2158767]

>>2158709

Unfortunately that movie is not on the right track. Sure, exercise releases endorphins, but subjectively the amount isn't that great. The real effect of exercise is that it increases dopamine (for noobs: to describe the feeling of each chemical in words, dopamine= motivation, endorpins= pleasure).

A few exercise sessions are unlikely to have a long term effect on your depression, so you'll need to keep it up. Don't expect any amazing results though. If you're in any way social i'd reccomend team sports. Competing against other people is FAR more rewarding imo (and the social connection may help too).

[Anonymous No.2158794]

regular exercise puts an output demand on your body. if the output demand is above what you're capable of doing easily, your body will optimize most of its systems to get the output that you're capable of producing up to the level that you're asking (with exercise).

this has the awesome side effect of tuning up your whole nervous system at the same time because the nervous system is critical to performing physically demanding tasks (see: running, lifting weights, fighting).

tuning your nervous system helps regulate brain-chemicals. my lady has a bipolar brain and we work out 4-5 times a week to smooth out the cyclical behavior.

but it's not just exercise: your nutrient intake and sleep schedule also feed into the regulation of your nervous system.

for best effects, approach the problem from all sides at the same time.

pic related: my captcha (wtf, right?)

[Anonymous No.2158808]

>>2158697

Other than making you feel good because you did something "good" for yourself there is that classic "runners high"- endorphin release.

Of course that high- the release of endorphins, is a signal that some part of your body is about to fail, or already has.

Working out by itself doesn't produce endorphins.

Also- GABA in excess will relax a person. GABA is a neurotransmitter involved with muscle tone.

Google is your friend from here, pal.

[Anonymous No.2158820]

>>2158794
>>2158794

Your hinting at long term potentiation doesn't explain what OP is looking for.

[Anonymous No.2158866]

>>2158820

Oh, but it does.

[Anonymous No.2158867]

>>2158722

No. You're also approaching the subject from a limited viewpoint- that being a bio-psychological perspective.

Go look up Positive Psychology- focus on what goes right in life, rather than what is wrong. And stop trying to find hope in chemicals.

[opafag !c3uu/mE0SQ No.2158877]

>>2158767
>>2158794
>>2158808
that helps a bit

[Anonymous No.2158891]

>>2158720
>Op asks question that every 13 year old knows the answer to

[opafag !c3uu/mE0SQ No.2158910]

>>2158867
i don't think my question is very limited. positive psychology isn't relevant to a major depressive episode, because its effects would be negligible. i'm wondering what determines the amount of time a depressive episode

[Anonymous No.2158923]

>>2158891
answer it then

[Anonymous No.2158993]

Any form of exerting your willpower to accomplish goals improves your depression, trust me.

[Anonymous No.2159039]

>>2158697
Positive-thought meditation, as opposed to focus meditation, like math. (unless math makes you happy)
Purpose.
Aerobic exercise. (or, you know, fapping/schlicking)
Supportive friends and family.
Socializing with someone new.
Engaging activities (art stuff, video games, movies)

Combining those is a good thing too.
Math + meditation = 2*happy