Review: Hjärnstark

Hjärnstark by Anders Hansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quite fitting that I finished the book just when I finally am about to get physiotherapy to aid my recovery.

The book is about how the brain benefits from exercise - particularly fitness training like running or walking. It's a popular science book so Hansen describes in easy terms and wording what science, biology and evolution says about how and why the brain benefits from exercise.

Hansen describes personal stories from his patiens as well, about a woman that came to the hospital really stressed out and how she got better just by exercising. Hansen does make a point that he doesn't dismiss medicine but that he thinks exercise is a major key point. To further his point he adds in evolution, and how the brain is wired to like running and moving about because the brain then thinks that you are out hunting for food and want to encourage that by making you feel great running.

Maybe the book is a bit too sugary and raises exercises to the sky - are there scientists, results and discussions that doesn't agree on this? Hansen doesn't tell. I mean, there's no secret that exercise is good, and that it can help depression, strengthen you mentally, perhaps help against other diseases. But is exercise such a big curer all on it's own?

I don't know. It was an interesting, easy read though, and food for thought and hopefully a good motivator to get better with exercise.

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