Friday, February 20, 2009

UK - Beat nicotine cravings with exercise

Scientists at Exeter University have discovered exercise triggers brain changes that help smokers beat nicotine cravings. A workout may boost levels of happy hormones such as dopamine, or divert blood to parts of the brain that weren't involved in the reward and pleasure system. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans that were taken when there was no work-out revealed intense activity in parts of the brain associated with pleasure and processing rewards. Smokers claimed the urge to smoke was weaker after the workout. One of the researchers, Kate Janse Van Rensburg, says a ten or 15 minute walk, jog or cycle could help a smoker, kick the habit.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090210092738.htm

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/news/title,2600,en.php

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