post-traumatic stress disorder, affecting an estimated 3.9% of the global population, can leave lasting scars long after the initial event. while traditional treatments like therapy and medication remain vital, emerging research points to a perhaps powerful, accessible complement: exercise. A new study published in Molecular psychiatry suggests physical activity may stimulate neurogenesis – the growth of new brain cells – offering a path toward reducing the debilitating symptoms of PTSD and,surprisingly,even lessening the grip of substance dependence.
Not all memories are welcome ones. Some persist, shaping our present and future. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, such as a natural disaster, serious accident, or assault. Affecting approximately 3.9% of the global population, according to the World Health Organization, PTSD manifests through vivid flashbacks, mood changes, physical reactions, and avoidance behaviors – like steering clear of triggering places or distancing from associated people.
While therapy and medication are the most common treatments for PTSD, many individuals don’t experience significant relief. Now, emerging research suggests a readily accessible intervention may offer a powerful complement to traditional care: exercise.
A recent study conducted jointly by Kyushu University in Japan and the University of Toronto in Canada found that physical activity could play a significant role in the healing process. The findings, published in Molecular Psychiatry in 2024, demonstrate a link between exercise and improved outcomes for those struggling with trauma.
Researchers conducted experiments on mice and discovered that exercise boosts the creation of new neurons – a process called neurogenesis – in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory and emotional regulation. This neurogenesis was also linked to a reduction in behavioral symptoms associated with PTSD, such as anxiety, irritability, and social withdrawal. This research offers hope for more effective treatments for a condition that impacts millions worldwide.
Interestingly, the study also showed that exercise weakened memories linked to cocaine use, suggesting a potential application in treating substance use disorders as well. Researchers utilized multiple methods to manipulate neurogenesis and observe the brain’s response when triggered with fear- or substance-related memories.
“Neurogenesis is important not only for forming new memories, but also for forgetting old ones,” explained Fujikawa, a researcher involved in the study. “We believe this happens because when new neurons integrate into neural circuits, new connections are formed and older connections are lost, disrupting the ability to recall memories.” He added, “In our experiments, exercise had the most powerful impact on reducing PTSD and drug dependence symptoms in mice, and clinical studies in humans also show it to be effective.”
Other recent research supports these findings. A meta-analysis of 12 human studies on PTSD, also published in 2024, concluded that physical activity can significantly improve levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep quality – all common indicators of the disorder.
“Exercise has effects that go far beyond repairing tissue. It promotes brain and emotional resilience,” said Lucas Korosec, a trauma physician (M.N. 157110), who incorporates sustained exercise programs – even of low intensity – into the treatment plans of his patients. “It increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and promotes neuroplasticity in the hippocampus, which facilitates the process of ‘relearning’ and extinguishing fear memories.” Korosec highlighted improvements in mood, sleep, self-esteem, and cognitive function, as well as reductions in anxiety and hyperarousal, as additional benefits.
Klaus Boueke, a psychologist and fitness trainer, echoed this sentiment, explaining that exercise releases neurotransmitters like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine – all associated with increased attention, motivation, sleep and appetite regulation, and overall well-being. He described exercise as a “powerful tool to accompany any complex mental process.”
“Although there is still much research underway, we already know that regular exercise contributes to an emotional and attentional state that promotes a greater capacity to process traumatic memories and construct new interpretations of them. In other words, it contributes to a greater capacity for coping,” Boueke stated.
Boueke believes that the body’s inability to process an event is what transforms it into a trauma, making the integration of physical activity into treatment not just positive, but necessary. “The mind and body are one and the same. Psychosomatic phenomena tell us that what cannot find a place through words will find it through the body.” He continued, “The direct link between mental health and physical exercise indicates that, in order to overcome any psychological challenge, it is important to take care of the body.”
“When the mind cannot move forward, it is the body that begins the healing process,” argued Sol Candotti, a personal trainer and health coach. She explained that in the context of trauma, the mind often blocks, fragments, or represses difficult memories, which become lodged in the body as tension, pain, or sleep disturbances.
“The body has its own intelligence, and exercise has a cathartic and profoundly restorative effect on many emotional processes,” Candotti explained. She noted that in stages of trauma or loss, it’s common to feel disconnected from the body. “It’s not just about discharging energy, but about transforming it into movement. By releasing accumulated tension and anguish, you can rebuild a sense of control over the physical self. Through movement, breathing, and perspiration, you can unlock rigid areas and reactivate neural circuits that facilitate emotional integration. The body doesn’t forget, but it does have the capacity to reinvent itself and forgive; movement is a concrete way to achieve this.”
When it comes to types of exercise and their usefulness in assisting with trauma, while some research has found that yoga may be more effective at alleviating symptoms in people with PTSD than other sports, experts agree that any type of training – whether low or high intensity – can be beneficial.
“The most important thing is that it is cyclical, mindful, and regular,” Candotti said.
For the fitness trainer, the key lies in internal rhythm. “If the exercise is too aggressive, it can generate more tension; if it is too passive, it doesn’t produce change. You have to find that ideal point where the body is activated and the mind is aligned. It varies in each person and there is no magic formula. Outdoor walks, gentle functional routines, yoga, or strength series with a focus on breathing are excellent for activating body and mind without overloading the system.”
Regarding the time of day, Candotti recommends morning exercise, as it tends to be particularly effective for clearing the mind and regulating the nervous system. “By training in the morning, you help modulate cortisol levels, the stress hormone, balance your mood, and generate mental clarity for the rest of the day,” she noted.
