How Exercise Can Help Addiction & Depression

The most difficult step toward the benefits of exercise is always the first step. That is because once you make the decision and summon the willpower to begin exercising regularly, you will likely notice the benefits begin right away. Exercise helps support and normalize mood-stabilizing neurochemicals such as dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin.

One key neurochemical that is generated is the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This is a protein that resides in your brain and spinal cord that is a vital part of your central nervous system. BDNF promotes the survival of nerve cells by helping their growth, maturation, and maintenance. So essentially, every part of your body receives a benefit from exercise. Low levels of BDNF have a negative impact on your memory and your ability to learn new information. It can also lead to depression and mood swings.

Oddly enough, abusing illicit drugs and exercise impact similar areas of your brain. Both activate the reward pathway in your brain, which triggers the release of feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. It is the release of these chemicals that is a large reason why many people repeatedly turn to drug abuse. However, unlike with illicit drugs, exercise itself may actually build up the amount of dopamine, regenerative proteins, and other synapses. As a result, these added connections increase the dopamine you have available, and other chemicals in your brain are supported. The end result of routine exercise is that your baseline becomes a much better feeling. For many, this increased level of feeling good in their daily life allows them to put substances in their rear view mirror for good.

Intense physical exercise has received major focus as a safe and effective way to reduce cravings and remain sober by many high-profile people who have struggled with addiction. For example, Eminem recently shared his updated AA pin on social media, sharing that he has been sober for 16 years. The world-famous rapper has shared that he combatted his own addiction by exercising - initially with running, push-ups, and sit-ups, but over the years, he has moved his routine up to a more intense "Body Beast" workout plan.

According to Panayotis K. Thanos, Director of Behavioral Neuropharmacology & Neuroimaging Laboratory, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, "research has proven aerobic exercise has many benefits, but it has a profound effect on dopamine and the dopamine receptor. Aerobic exercise can decrease drug-seeking behaviors, cocaine preference, cocaine relapse, and cocaine stress-induced reinstatement." While his research was focused on those who had abused cocaine specifically, exercise has also been shown to have the same positive effects for opioid users, cigarette smokers, and other drug use disorders.

So, as we said, why is the first step so hard? Many people shun exercise simply because people do not see it as an intervention but more of a lifestyle choice. Scientific data is overwhelmingly positive but not well-known by the general public. Unfortunately, exercise is not aggressively promoted in the same way that medications are advertised. Too many people regard exercise as a chore, but if you speak to those who routinely incorporate exercise into their life, it quickly becomes a special part of their day, one that is looked forward to and disappointing when they are unable to hit the gym for the day.

If you keep in mind that exercise will decrease your addictive cravings and reduce depressive symptoms, you will be more likely to have success in beginning a routine on your own. It is easy to get started with simple home gym equipment that can be found second-hand on sites such as Facebook for low prices or often even for free. Gym memberships are another option which help encourage utilization, but if you do not have the budget you can always set time aside to walk around your neighborhood or local park for no cost at all. Always check with your primary care physician to ensure you are able to begin a new exercise routine and for further guidance.

Thank you for your time reading, and be sure to follow NHTCinc.com for information and resources helping those who struggle with addiction or mental health concerns.