Lifting Weights Can Lift Your IQ

Neural stem cells are born in the hippocampus and either divide into neural cells or glial cells (support cells for neurons). Neural cells are sent from the hippocampus to the dendrite gyrus, which acts like a traffic cop, ordering them to go to specific regions of the brain. Voluntary exercise increases the number of neural stem cells created by the hippocampus. Here's how it works. Exercise, such as lifting weights or any cardio (jogging, stair master, elliptical, biking etc.), delivers blood-soaked oxygen to the brain. The more you exercise, the higher the blood flow. This increased blood flow then feeds the brain with more glucose (brain fuel) and oxygen (which removes free radicals from the brain like a sponge, in effect cleaning the brain). Exercise also increases the production of DBNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which takes place inside the hippocampus. BDNF is like miracle grow for the brain, helping it give birth to more neural cells and also helps grow existing neural cells. In effect, exercise grows your brain by creating new brain cells and growing existing brain cells. A neuron has one axon and multiple dendrites. An axon of one neuron connects with the dendrites of other neurons. This is called a synapse. There is a direct correlation between the number of axon and synapses an individual has and their intelligence. Anything that increases the number of axons and synapses, increases intelligence. Muscle movement increases the growth of axons. Lifting weights, therefore, increases the growth of axons, which helps contribute to increased synaptic activity. So if you want to lift your IQ, start lifting weights.