30-minute exercise session shows immediate mood boost
A single 30-minute exercise session can immediately improve mood by altering brain plasticity through a fat-derived hormone.
Why it matters
- Single exercise session can have immediate antidepressant effects.
- Exercise is accessible and low-cost compared to traditional treatments.
By the numbers
- 40 participants, half with anxiety/depression symptoms.
- 30-minute treadmill session at moderate intensity.
- Effects lasted up to 24 hours in mice.
The big picture
- Study identifies a biological pathway involving adiponectin.
- Suggests short-term exercise could be an accessible intervention for depressive symptoms.
What they're saying
- Personal anecdotes support exercise's benefits for depression.
- Questions about optimal exercise intensity.
- Positive effects of exercise on depression have been known for some time.
Caveats
- Small sample size may not represent general population.
- Animal mechanisms mainly studied in male mice.
What’s next
- Investigate optimal intensity and duration of exercise.
- Examine gender and age differences in response to exercise.