In a fascinating piece in the NYT's Well column, Gretchen Reynolds reports on research that suggests that exercising with friends may come with benefits one doesn't get from exercising alone. No, not that kind of benefits. The benefits that Reynolds is talking about concern neurogenesis, the growth of new brain cells, which can make a person more intelligent, which may in turn lead to the kind of benefits that Reynolds is not talking about. Or not. The column cites the work of researchers at Princeton, who knew that exercise stimulates neurogenesis, but discovered to their great surprise that rats that exercise and live alone enjoy significantly less neurogenesis than rats that exercise and live in a social environment. Similar research at the University of Houston, produced similar evidence. Why? Reynolds reports that that mystery is still out there.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Thursday, October 16, 2025
(RATS!)He is comparing humans to rats!And just think! I didn’t know rats had friends! But Reynolds says that (the mystery) is still out there,to his great surprise! I think he could use the growth of some new brain cells,and in need of a lot of exercise. NO DOUBT!!!!