There is nothing like a summer run to make you feel incredible. Whether it’s seeing a spectacular sunrise or rounding out the day with the cooler evening weather. You’re doing something that has cardiovascular benefits, improves your body composition, may make your muscles stronger and increases your endurance.
Beyond these perks, and perhaps less overt, is yet another magnificent effect that occurs between your ears. Running has the potential to drastically influence your brain function. It is an investment in your short- and long-term “healthspan,” including that of your brain. The mood-elevating effects may be seen immediately, and the regular adoption of this regime may manifest in myriad health gains systemically and gradually over time.
A now well-known benefit to your run may be its stimulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is one of the neurotrophic factors that sustain differentiation, maturation, and survival of neurons in the nervous system. It also demonstrates a neuroprotective effect under adverse conditions, such as neurotoxicity.
The exercise-induced elevation in circulating BDNF enhances neuroplasticity, i.e., the ability to adapt to new stimuli. Creativity and cognition may be heightened post-workout. BDNF and endocannabinoids, endogenous cannabinoids, both may contribute to this enhanced brain function.
An increase in cerebral blood flow may likely also factor in these advantages. A caveat is that overly vigorous or prolonged exercise may induce central fatigue and impair cognition. As you run, oxygen-rich blood courses through your body including your brain, and metabolites are removed—all of which diminish your risk of dementia and stroke.
Activation of the BDNF pathway may be explanatory in the mechanism of neuroprotection. Together, these changes don’t just improve how the brain functions, they may also help it grow and adapt over time.
Neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons, occurs after exercise, especially in the hippocampus. This brain region is cited to be critical in memory, learning, and spatial navigation—except when you get lost on your run!
The mental effects of your healthy jaunts are palpable. Dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and endorphins are neurotransmitters that flood the brain when you physically exert yourself. Running may help you tolerate the stress-induced cortisol surges as well. You become more resilient to life stressors and recover expeditiously.
Running is such a powerful hack to give you clarity, focus, and a fresh perspective. Both acute and regular workouts demonstrate these effects.
Before an exam or stressful meeting, it may be auspicious to go on a run to maximize your subsequent performance.
Another factor that justifies your running habit is its effects on inflammation. Inflammation has been implicated in several mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and many neurodegenerative diseases.
Running may be both pro- and anti-inflammatory depending on factors such as fitness levels, training experience, ambient conditions, etc. Adequate rest between exertions may favor the latter milieu.
Recovery is another important piece of the puzzle.
Sleep quality may be improved by your running lifestyle. Better sleep is yet another viable mechanism that may support better brain health. You may experience less sleep latency, more slow-wave sleep, and generally improved sleep efficiency. Your body undergoes healing and waste removal when you sleep, which may further support brain health.
Neurological research demonstrates white-matter integrity improves with regular aerobic exercise. White matter forms the connections between disparate brain regions and permits transmission of information. So not only are there functional gains, but so too, structural neurological adaptations to the efforts making the processing more efficient.
These benefits aren’t limited to the young developing brains but may occur throughout the lifespan. In fact, the hippocampus, critical for memory, may increase in volume with training in older adults. This correlates with an upregulation of BDNF in the serum. All said, aerobic fitness is something worth maintaining as we age.
The intensity of your run should stress the body enough to stimulate an adaptation. You can even experience benefits from a moderate intensity run although high-intensity workouts may be more time efficient to reap the neural rewards. The crucial factor is consistency. A smart strategy is to mix up your runs, varying the intensity throughout the week.
So, this summer, lace up your runners and “head” outdoors. With every running stride, you have the potential to bathe your noggin with powerful neurochemicals, boost your mood, declutter your mind, and elevate your entire general wellness. You can feel fantastic about doing something for both your body and brain alike.
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Read This Story in Our 2026 Summer & Outdoor Issue
Canada’s best source of health & fitness information — IMPACT Magazine’s 2026 Summer Outdoor Travel Issue: trail running, outdoor travel, workouts and seasonal recipes.
Featuring world-class French-Canadian ultra-trail runner Mathieu Blanchard, this digital edition takes you coast to coast through Canada’s most unforgettable bucket-list hikes, trail-running tips, and race-day strategies. Build strength and balance with targeted summer workouts, master the taper, and find your footing on technical terrain. Plus enjoy seasonal grilling and plant-forward recipes — Grilled Mexican Corn, Hoisin Portobello Burgers with Chili Lemon Broccolini, Smoky Black Bean Quinoa Burgers — and more outdoor cooking inspiration for active travelers.
