The benefits of general Exercise are well-known to most people: weight control, heart health, decreased risk of diabetes, stronger muscles and bones, decreased risk of cancer, etc. For overall body health, there is no medication on the market that comes close to delivering all the benefits you get from regular physical activity. The benefits of exercise in addiction recovery, however, are less commonly advertised.

Exercise is linked to better memory, a decrease in depression symptoms, and delayed onset of brain disease such as Alzheimer’s. Exercise helps to promote blood flow to the brain, helping with growth of new blood vessels and healthy cells. This structural growth can help to repair and protect brain cells from damage and deterioration. Exercise helps to trigger the release of chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine, which serve as mood elevators and help to relieve stress, therefore decreasing the incidence of depression.