The Powerful Chemical That Promotes Brain Health, Memory, Mood Regulation, And Hormonal Balance

If you are on social media, you probably come across a variety of ads and promotions highlighting how amazing a supplement is.

There is nothing inherently wrong with this. Indeed, strategic supplementation can be a key tool in optimizing one’s health.

However, without working on the foundational components of health, supplementation alone will not be enough.

Those foundational components include a nutrient-dense diet (see here for what that is), regular movement, and a dedication to a healthy mind.

I’ve written about the powerful benefits of resistance training and high-intensity exercise before. More specifically, there is an powerful chemical produced by the body after exercise, and in higher amounts from resistance and/or high intensity training.

It’s known as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, or BDNF.

I know, that’s a mouthful.

Just remember that it’s an awesome tool for your body that is ENHANCED through exercise.

While our bodies can produce this protein, it is upregulated drastically from specific types of movement.

BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) supports:

• Brain Health: Promotes neuron growth, survival, and repair.
• Memory & Learning: Enhances synaptic plasticity for better cognition.
• Mood Regulation: Reduces depression and anxiety symptoms.
• Neuroprotection: Guards against neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s).
• Hormonal Balance: Interacts with estrogen/progesterone, aiding female reproductive health.
• Stress Resilience: Counters cortisol’s negative effects on the brain.

Yes another amazing benefit and reason to start incorporating resistance training and high-intensity training into your lifestyle!

Remember, with exercise, more is NOT always better.

For people that are already overly stressed, high-intensity training can be counter-productive.

Females going through their luteal and/or menstrual phases are often better off keeping the intensity low.

However, this does NOT mean you shoulder NEVER work out with high intensity.

Everyone is unique in regard to their stress levels and resiliency to stress, but incorporating high intensity exercise and resistance training when the time is right can be an incredible tool to optimize overall health.