Vigorous exercise improves cognition and slows brain aging by stimulating the production of muscle lactate, which subsequently promotes the release of norepinephrine and neurotrophic factors like BDNF in the brain.

noli's read

The idea that physical exercise boosts brain health is widely supported by research. BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), often described as 'brain fertilizer,' is effectively increased by physical activity, as shown by numerous meta-analyses on cerebral plasticity. The role of lactate as a signaling molecule capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to modulate neuronal activity is an exciting field documented in mechanistic studies (e.g., work published in *Cell Metabolism*). While the direct link between lactate, norepinephrine, and cognition in humans is complex, it is a robust scientific hypothesis rather than a mere invention. Rhonda Patrick is synthesizing very real biological mechanisms here, though the exact translation of all these complex metabolic pathways in humans under real-world conditions remains an active subject of study. The claim is therefore firmly rooted in current scientific literature, while simplifying multifactorial metabolic processes.

the sources

1. 1Hoffmann C, Weigert C 2017