Combatting Depression with Exercise (Patreon)

In 2023, 17.8% of Americans reported currently having depression or being treated for depression.

Depression is often linked to disruptions in several closely related neural and cognitive processes, such as dopamine transmission, fronto-striatal brain activity and connectivity, reward processing, and motivation. Inflammation is known to reduce dopamine transmission, which plays a crucial role in effort-based decision-making for rewards. However, aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease this systemic inflammation.

Dr. Nicholas Fabiano explains that by reducing inflammation and boosting dopamine transmission, exercise can significantly improve symptoms of depression. These symptoms include anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure), fatigue, and subjective cognitive impairment. The increased dopamine transmission from exercise enhances the brain's propensity to exert effort, thereby alleviating these symptoms.

Additionally, cognitive impairment in depression can be understood through an effort-based decision-making framework. This perspective helps explain the positive impact of exercise on cognitive function in individuals with depression. By incorporating regular aerobic exercise, individuals can reduce inflammation, boost dopamine transmission, and ultimately improve their overall mental health and cognitive function.