Move over endorphins... Make way for the discovery of the "Hope Molecule" Myokines!

We all have learned that exercise releases endorphins.

Excerpts from The Cleveland Clinic

Endorphins are chemicals (hormones) your body releases when it feels pain or stress. They’re released during pleasurable activities such as exercise, massage, eating and sex too. Endorphins help relieve pain, reduce stress and improve your sense of well-being.

Endorphins are created in your pituitary gland and hypothalamus, both located in the brain. Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter, or messenger in your body. They attach to your brain’s reward centers (opioid receptors) and carry signals across your nervous system.

Endorphin comes from the words “endogenous,” which means within the body, and “morphine,” an opiate pain reliever. Put together, that means endorphins are natural pain relievers. They are “feel-good” chemicals because they can make you feel better and put you in a positive state of mind.

Move over endorphins... Make way for the discovery of the "Hope Molecule" Myokines!
Excerpts from the Daily Star, June 24, 2024

At the base of the connection between physical exercise and mental health is the fascinating discovery of "Hope Molecules," or as they are scientifically known, Myokines.

During exercise, these molecular messengers, Myokines, secreted by muscles during physical activity, make their way to the brain and other organs. Myokines act as antidepressants, enhance mood, improve learning ability, and protect the brain from aging effects. They can even reduce symptoms of depression and trauma, making exercise a powerful mental health booster.



The mechanism is simple - when the muscles contract from an activity, Myokines are excreted into the bloodstream, disseminated to the body, and ultimately reach the brain.

Recent research has shed light on the role "Hope Molecules" play in promoting brain health. Their effect in the body causes neurogenesis—the process of creating new neurons—and thus uplifts mood and increases brain activity.

Myokines make it possible for the development of a resilient brain, which would become more tolerant to the pressures and tensions life brings along.

According to a prominent study, routine physical activity might be equivalent to the intake of really powerful natural antidepressants that would serve to protect the brain from the dangers brought about by stress and its possible precipitating factors for depression. The implication goes rather wide to imply that the road to mental resilience and happiness is actually paved with physical activity. The promise these "Hope Molecules" hold for mental health opens a new vista of understanding: exercise is not only for physical fitness, it is an integral part of our emotional and psychological well-being.

The discovery of "Hope Molecules" illuminates the path of wellness as the intertwining of physical activity with mental health. Therefore, with every step, action of the limbs, every dance move, we have the beacon of hope to empower us to fight against stress and depression with this natural antidepressant, synthesized by our muscles.

Let's not only adopt physical activity as part of the way to be fit, but as one of the most indispensable tools in our mental health arsenal, and a means to build resilience, joy, and overall well-being.


The concept of “Hope Molecules” is fascinating.

So, keep moving!

Regular exercise will generate these "Hope Molecules", promoting positive feelings and alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression. ?♂️??

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