Canadian study links exercise to stress resilience in mice

A recent study from Canada highlights how different animals respond to stress. Researchers focused on mice to explore the biological differences in stress resilience. They found that exercise could boost the mice's ability to cope with stress. Stress activates hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, making us alert. However, prolonged stress can be harmful, weakening the immune system and increasing risks for heart disease, anxiety, and depression. It can also affect the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from harmful substances while letting nutrients through. In their study, scientists noticed that some mice recovered better from stressful encounters compared to others. They found higher levels of a protein called endocannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1) in the resilient mice. This protein helps regulate mood and pain and is influenced by exercise. The team used gene editing to increase the expression of this protein in the mice's brains. As a result, these modified mice showed less anxiety and recovered faster from stress. The researchers also noted that mice allowed to exercise on a wheel were more resilient to stress, suggesting a link between physical activity and stress response. The findings point toward the role of the blood-brain barrier and endocannabinoid proteins in how individuals handle stress. With more research needed, the study suggests that exercise could be a valuable way to improve mental health and guard against stress.