From: How Exercise Rewires Your Brain's Joy Receivers

When do you feel the most genuine sense of accomplishment?

The 'runner's high' is real and actually remodels your brain's reward system over time. Recognizing this shift in your mood can help you view exercise as a form of self-care rather than a punishment.

Action

Keep a simple one-sentence journal of how you feel immediately after moving your body for ten minutes.

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3 evidence blocks3 perspectives2 visualizations8 media resources4 rabbit holes

evidence

Regular physical exercise increases the number of dopamine receptors in the brain's reward system.

evidence

High-intensity interval training increases specific dopamine D2 receptor levels in the brain.

evidence

Exercise can help restore dopamine receptors that were damaged by substance abuse.

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How Exercise Rewires Your Brain's Joy Receivers

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