New Research Reveals That Exercise Can Rewire Brains and Erase Traumatic Memories

1565 points by Hashirama4AP 1 year, 6 months ago on reddit | 51 comments

I just turned 62 and have been trying to get into decent running shape for the past three years. I instinctively knew that very hard exercise was needed to jolt my system, grow new muscle and correct for my bad lifelong habits. After lots of cross training, my VO2 max finally moved: from 41 to 45 these 3 months. I feel like I'm thirty again. Quitting drinking and living in a state where it's legal helped me a lot.

Memory_Less | 1 year, 6 months ago

That's an above average V02 max to start with according to mu smart watch age calculation. Congratulations, feels great!

At my age, I'm like "Even if it kills me, I'm leaving a good looking corpse :)

what is a V02?

JimblesRombo | 1 year, 6 months ago

the volume of O2 (oxygen) that your body is capable of consuming at maximum exertion is a great indicator of your overall metabolic health. a more robust muscle and cardiovascular system can pull and burn more oxygen when it exerts itself than an unhealthy one

It's legal?

eventualist | 1 year, 6 months ago

Running. It’s legal now!

pizzablunt420 | 1 year, 6 months ago

Weed?

Correct, it acts as motivation juice. I also do intermittent fasting, no breakfast. That's helped.

Weed is the ultimate motivation juice

Seriously getting baked is the best warm up. Once my aches and stiffness is done I can haul it .

KerouacsGirlfriend | 1 year, 6 months ago

Nice work!

You give me hope as someone right behind you in age and with similar past habits. Now to just get off this phone…..

Memory_Less | 1 year, 6 months ago

I have changed activities over the years, and hiking is my go to. Clears the mind and relaxes the body.

[OP] Hashirama4AP | 1 year, 6 months ago

Sounds great. Thanks for letting us know!

BootySweat0217 | 1 year, 6 months ago

Hm… I’ve been exercising my whole life and I still suffer from ptsd daily.

Curiosity_456 | 1 year, 6 months ago

Have you tried mdma therapy?

Cold water therapy is great too.

ConcertinaTerpsichor | 1 year, 6 months ago

I’m seeking that right now via the MAPS organization. Do you know of any new trials opening up?

What happens when you don't exercise? It's worse right?

[OP] Hashirama4AP | 1 year, 6 months ago

Could you please share us what other resources/means help you overcome it.

IbuildBridges1 | 1 year, 6 months ago

NLP tech

Username checks out

Living-Pie4665 | 1 year, 6 months ago

I absolutely agree with this. Suffered from extreme pain in my lower back for almost 20 years. Finally got into therapy and diagnosed ptsd, during two years of intense mental therapy I can now function again more or less like a normal person for the last five years. “Don’t believe everything you think” is a quote that was used in my therapy and I still use it to calm myself when the pain pops up every now and then.

KerouacsGirlfriend | 1 year, 6 months ago

“Thoughts are not facts” is what my therapist said and it really is a game-changing concept!

[OP] Hashirama4AP | 1 year, 6 months ago

Sorry to hear that. Glad to hear you are doing well and thanks for sharing your positive story with us!

This is about exercise, though.

wanderingmanimal | 1 year, 6 months ago

✈️ wooosh

are you wooshing JL4575 or Living-Pie4665?

DrDrankenstein | 1 year, 6 months ago

I think I got wooshed too, cause I don't see the correlation

For me my depression keeps me from exercising I actually love it when I do it but I have zero motivation and desire because I’m too sad. On Wellbutrin and Vyvanse but might have to try ketamine therapy because other SSRI’s did nothing

I get you. Dealing w stuff but I have found walking to be v beneficial. Like if I can get out the door and start walking. Usually listen to various fast dance music or podcast. Sometimes switch back and forth. But walk about an hour a time. And once you get to a certain point during walk it gets better. And I can tell my walks help me mentally.

It has helped me and maybe it could help you as well. Here is to better days for us both <3

I agree with the walks! Whenever I'm feeling down I just walk and take myself on a self date while listening to a podcast. It's also helpful when you go walk to a gym and see if you're up for it and just walking if not.

Used_Hovercraft2699 | 1 year, 6 months ago

Both EMDR and rTMS have helped me in addition to meds. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for anyone who is not familiar. I have also benefited from exercise. For me, it has never been realistic to find a cure for my depression. I just try to manage it adequately so I can have some good experiences in the rest of my life.

Bog3DigitalJamboree | 1 year, 6 months ago

Idk if it erased traumatic memories *for me, but hitting a punching bag is a great way to blow off steam

[OP] Hashirama4AP | 1 year, 6 months ago

It does!

libremaison | 1 year, 6 months ago

The Body Keeps The Score goes deep into this.

Mysterious-End-9283 | 1 year, 6 months ago

Very good read. Still need to finish it.

general-meow | 1 year, 6 months ago

Started my friend/coworker in running by telling him that I run because, "I'm trying to run away from my problems, overtime they can't keep up". I was suffering from lots of stuff and work related problems didn't help at all. He feels a bit better now but guy lost like 30 pounds. Good luck to all who is suffering, it's a day at a time but running did improve for the both of us.

This is a fascinating article, thank you for sharing!

Babymakerwannabe | 1 year, 6 months ago

This is why somatics is such an amazing healing modality. Breaking free from mundane movement can be massive for your mood.

Will it also get rid of massive regrets from huge mistakes I have made in my past? Because that would be nice.

I channel my anger into gardening. It’s hard work but it’s rewarding and productive.

Getting baked, turning on some heavy metal, and hand tilling the soil is a great way to let off steam

andthatswhyIdidit | 1 year, 6 months ago

> In this study on mice

Please keep in mind this is waaaaaaaaaay into basic research area. It is an interesting approach and findings, but it does not transfer 1:1 to humans. Nothing has been found out about humans in this study.

lol... an non-traumatic ones

I know a guy who lost a nut to sketchy stationary bike when we were in elementary school. Can this erase that memory?

ItalianMeatBoi | 1 year, 6 months ago

Boxing helps my anger management

Live-Ad8618 | 1 year, 6 months ago

Don't tell the sad fatties!?

OliverCrooks | 1 year, 6 months ago

I spent 7 months working my ass off and getting into shape. Still hated the way I looked and it changed nothing mentally sorry