Exercise can regulate the brain's region associated with fear and stress, through two main mechanisms: it increases the activity of the prefrontal cortex, which exerts "top-down" control to inhibit the amygdala's fear response, and it alters the amygdala's functional connectivity with other brain regions.
- By stimulating the frontal regions of the brain, exercise strengthens the prefrontal cortex's ability to control the amygdala, a process that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Acute exercise can change how the amygdala connects with other brain areas. For instance, it can upregulate connectivity with regions involved in processing happiness and downregulate connectivity with those related to fear.
- Improvements in mood after acute exercise are linked to enhanced connectivity between the amygdala and other regions, such as the orbitofrontal cortex, which is involved in mood regulation.
- Regular physical activity can lower the metabolic activity of the amygdala that is associated with stress.
- By modulating the neural circuits between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala, chronic exercise can improve the brain's resilience against stress.
- Exercise increases the availability of neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, which have mood-boosting and anti-anxiety effects.
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