How we can exercise away addiction and depression

Psychology Today quotes Panayotis Thanos in an article explaining the multiple major benefits of becoming physically active, including for people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. “Our research has proven aerobic exercise has many benefits, but it has a profound effect on dopamine and the dopamine receptor,” Thanos says. “Aerobic exercise can decrease drug-seeking behaviors, cocaine preference, cocaine relapse, and cocaine stress-induced reinstatement.” Exercise also appears to have the same potential positive effects on cigarette smokers, opioid users, and others with drug use disorders.