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New research by the University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions has identified a key mechanism in how aerobic exercise can impact the brain in ways that may support treatment and prevention strategies for addiction.
Cardio aerobic exercise is brisk exercise that increases heart rate, breathing and circulation of oxygen through the blood, and is associated with decreasing many negative health issues, including diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. It is linked to numerous mental health benefits, such as reducing stress, anxiety and depression.
Aerobic exercise has been effective in preventing the start, increase and relapse of substance use in a number of categories, including alcohol, nicotine, stimulants and opioids,” says Panayotis (Peter) Thanos, PhD, RIA senior research scientist and senior author of the study.
Using animal models, researchers discovered a that daily aerobic exercise altered the mesolimbic dopamine pathway in the brain. Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter associated with substance use disorders.
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