Abstract:

Exercise is a potent force of nature with significant potential for extending longevity and boosting physical fitness. It is also being increasingly used as a prophylactic and curative measure for various physical ailments, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Indeed, many of its benefits for the immune system,cardiovascular system, and even the microbiome are still being uncovered. However, perhaps where exercise may contain the most potential is in helping to unlock the mysteries behind neural regeneration, cortical plasticity, and cognitive enhancement.Although it has been known for a while that exercise yields numerous tangible benefits for mood, libido, spatial and verbal memory, and cognition—factors with strong underlying neural components—little has been known about why exercise has such a profound effect on the brain. As such, this paper will address the background and key findings regarding neurogenesis research, specifically concerning exercise-mediated neurogenesis,and detail overarching lessons that can be gleaned in order to establish general directions and guidelines for future research.