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A growth-factor compound produced in our brains and muscles is emerging as having potentially mitigative effects on neurological disease, metabolic dysfunction, and even mood irregularities.

Furthermore, the methods for increasing the production and circulation of this growth factor, known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are often simple and straightforward.

Research on how to extend lifespans and healthspans, and how to avoid the dozens of chronic diseases that kill millions every year is now more and more centered around how to augment the production of naturally occurring compounds in our bodies, particularly through activities like sleep or exercise.

One such compound is BDNF, which affects not only pathology in the brain, but elsewhere as well.

BDNF literature has shown positive effects on mental health disorders and addiction, a reduced risk of neurodegenerative disease, and an increased proficiency in memory retention and learning.

Other strange and unexpected effects have also been shown, such as reduced appetite, improved markers for diabetes, and more.

How it works to do these things, as well as how its production is increased, is something World at Large will dive into through one of our special 2-part reports.

BDNF is sort of a ‘missing link’

BDNF is from a family of proteins called neurotrophins, among which it holds status as by far the most plentiful. Its simple description would be that it helps create new neural synapses — structures that allow neurons to pass electrical signals to each other. It’s produced primarily in the brain, but also in other organs like the liver.

BDNF is one of those compounds that could be behind many of the therapeutic benefits from things like exercise, sauna use, and taking probiotics, which are well-known to correlate with better health outcomes. These activities increase BDNF, which as a compound correlates with the same increased health outcomes.

Is it that exercise helps reduce the risk of neurodegeneration, or that exercise increases production of BDNF, which is shown to reduce the risk of neurodegeneration?

The answer to this quasi chicken/egg “what came first” question is not yet known, but what is known are many of the effects that BDNF has on the brain.