The Well-Bred Mind

How cardio rebuilds the brain

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 03:07:00 GMT

We know exercise is good for the heart, but it's equally crucial for the brain. This episode dives into neurogenesis—the creation of new brain cells. Research demonstrates that regular aerobic exercise physically increases the size of the hippocampus, directly improving memory and protecting against cognitive decline.

Original Citation: Erickson, K. I., et al. (2011). Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7), 3017–3022.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1015950108

A scientific manual for your brain

Sun, 31 May 2026 15:32:15 GMT

The Concept: Pulling an all-nighter does more than make you tired; it turns off the brain's emotional regulation center. This episode explains how a lack of sleep severs the connection between the rational prefrontal cortex and the emotional amygdala, making us wildly reactive and emotionally volatile.
Scientific Citation: Yoo, S. S., Gujar, N., Hu, P., Jolesz, F. A., & Walker, M. P. (2007). The human emotional brain without sleep—a prefrontal amygdala disconnect. Current Biology, 17(20), R877-R878.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2007.08.016