Depression and exercise

**Posts:** 492 · by **Mark Tyrrell** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 11:03 am

Interesting stuff and the 'side-effects' of exercise are good ones!

Depression and Excercise

Mark

**Posts:** 28 · by **Peanut** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 12:17 pm

I couldn't agree more. I began a consistent exercise program on Sept. 1, 2003, and have seen amazing results so far, especially with respect to my depression and anxiety. Thanks for the post. Regards, Peanut

**Posts:** 492 · by **Mark Tyrrell** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 11:33 pm

Yes the quickest way to boost serotonin levels in the brain is to exercise. Serotonin begin firing even when we intend to exercise before we actually start. Keep it up Peanut

Mark

**Posts:** 2522 · by **kfedouloff** » Tue Oct 21, 2003 2:08 pm

I know a depressed person who is a fanatical sports person and does much more exercise than your average fit type. Sadly, this is not helping them recover - it is like a last ditch barrier against total despair (the underlying rationale seems to be: as long as I do this, I can survive the rest of the sh** without doing anything about it). This approach has enable them to survive long years, but has done nothing to help them get better. Sigh!

Kathleen

**Posts:** 492 · by **Mark Tyrrell** » Tue Oct 21, 2003 2:46 pm

Too true Kathleen exercise is not the whole answer.

Over exercising can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. As with all things balance is the key. The person you know being fanatical about sport and doing it to extreme is exhibiting an 'all or nothing' approach. 'I do it completely and utterly or not at all.' We know that the trait of black and white, all or nothing thinking and perfectionism go hand in hand with depression. The emotional brain works out of a 'black or white' on or off, fight or flight frame work. So, this person's extreme sports focus may be just symtomatic of a wider depressive characteristic; that of feeling things to extreme.

Mark

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Tue Oct 21, 2003 4:32 pm

I think it's also important to recognise that there is a direct correlation between serotonin production and physical movement. Serotonergic neurons fire most rapidly during rapid activity, less so during waking inactivity, less again during slow wave sleep and not at all during REM.

Serotonin is by no means the sole answer to depression (it makes you feel comfortable rather than motivated), but it certainly helps if you are feeling really grotty! Dopamine, that the body produces as a 'reward' for satisfying behaviour is more associated with good concentration and motivation.

I'm sure a person can get a dopamine boost too from a session down the gym (unless their depressive style takes all the satisfaction out of it for them of course).

**Posts:** 28 · by **Peanut** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 1:32 am

This is fascinating. I had no idea about this difference between seratonin and dopamine, although it certainly makes sense that they would not have duplicative purposes.

What are other ways that dopamine production can be increased naturally. As a footnote to this, my Dad & his mother had parkinsons which is integrally involved with dopamine production, (as I understand it). I have a hand tremor but no other signs, (I'm 42)... Is that a consideration in this?

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge like this. Respectfully, Peanut

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