The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

As a mental health professional I have always pushed exercise (when appropriate) and the author takes the establishment to task for their underutilization of this powerful tool. Would be nice to have some cautions about "overtraining" and exercise addiction but a very good read and a great message.

I was required to purchase and read this novel from my college professor. Being the aspiring Psychologist that I am, I am interested in how the natural side of the world can positively impact our bodies.
It came in mint condition.
Reading this book, it really showed me a lot of information reinforcing the fact that our bodies are wonderful things--and that even just running can help combat really severe mental issues; such as but not limited to depression.

Totally recommend it!

As a child clinical psychologist, I see many kids with attentional, executive functioning, learning, and stress related disorders. I recommend this highly readable and informative book regularly to parents. It provides them and their kids with the rationale to start moving....and to keep moving. Many parents of children with ADHD, executive functioning problems, and Learning Disabilities have started to get their kids exercising before school (read about the Naperville study) and found it to be very helpful.

This book has literally changed my life. After going through tough times, following this book's advice made me feel more resilient and in control of my self.

The book is nicely written and quite informative. It gives insight into the inner workings of our physiology and psychology.

I recommend this for everyone.

If you ever had some questions of what and how to achieve a better physical condition and what foods would enhance the opportunity this is the first book of two that Ratey wrote to help answer those questions.

If you ever had some questions of what and how to achieve a better physical condition and what foods would enhance the opportunity this is the first book of two that Ratey wrote to help answer those questions.

All the right reasons to get out and exercise and to encourage your children to do so as well. Build brain cells and stay healthy. Good science, good narrative, lots of practical applications and case studies.

A lot of redundancy, and lots of discussion on neurochemistry, but told with some engaging and memorable stories. If you have any doubts whatsoever on the vast benefits of exercise to deal with anything that ails you, you must read this book to remove that doubt. I skimmed parts of it that were just too scientific for me, but for the most part could not put it down. The book is very validating for those of us who exercise regularly.

You've always heard that you should eat right, exercise right, and you'll live happier, longer. Right?
This is the source for the motivator to accomplish just that. The technical neurology can be skipped over, and just grab and hold onto the fruit of how, why, what it takes to get to the excited happiness you've always sought and stay there!
Loved it, highly recommend it to any human being living on this earth before you leave (and leave sooner than you should, or want to).

This book explains in clear terms the role exercise plays in our mental processes. Moving our muscles produces proteins that play roles in our highest thought processes. Ratey says, "thinking is the internalization of movement." He illustrates this with the story of the sea squirt that hatches with a rudimentary spinal cord and 300 brain cells. It has only hours to find a spot of coral on which to put down roots or die. When it does put down roots, it eats its brain. According to Ratey only a moving animal needs a brain.

He begins with the value exercise has for the learning process in high school students: improved academic performance, alertness, attention and motivation.

He cites studies that say we can alter our mental states by physically moving. He said depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. He then presents a chapter where depression is relieved in case studies by exercise.

Among the areas Ratey covers are: stress, depression, ADD, and aging. This book is a great motivator for exercise.

However, Ratey's work was preceded by Glenn Doman's. Doman advocated exercise for brain injured children in the 1950s when the only 'treatment' was to institutionalize them. He later started a `super babies' program. Both the educational and medical establishments attacked and marginalized Doman's work.

I love this book, very engaging, the take away here is that the primary function of exercise is not weight loss, while it is a benefit the main benefit would be to the brain and how it affects daily functioning today and as we age.

I ordered through Prime, so my book was delivered in less than 2 days. Dr. Ratey gives an insightful perspective on how exercise impacts both the body and mind in a way that connects the two in a harmonious relationship, supporting. If you're interested in neurology or exercise science, this is the book for you.

Not bad. Book was recommended to me. Lots of info. Lots of science. Focus on the brain. Type of book you skim or speed read. I'll incorporporate it into my movement strategy and see if it helps. It can't hurt.

I usually read my professional journals for the latest info on health. But Dr. John Ratey has wonderful studies to back up his material. I used the book to present a powerpoint for a professional convention. I wish everyone would read it. Exercise is key to maintaining our health & longevity.

This is an amazing book that explains the concept of neuro plasticity in terms a non medical professional can understand. As the survivor of stroke and head injury. The information is inspiring and crucial. But, it is good knowledge forr parents and people with healthy brains as well.

Easy to digest, this book has been a great motivator in my personal fitness journey. It’s one thing to read bullet points about the benefits of exercise in an article—but quite another and much more impactful to hear the real stories behind the bullet points. Well done! Thank you for the motivation!

All educators should be required to read the first two chapters, then they would understand why President Ma of Taiwan immediately increased physical education time and ordered 10,000 copies of the book in Chinese for all the libraries in Taiwan. Then again anyone who wants to live a long healthy life should read the last two chapters and will find the motivation to keep exercising. As someone who has exercised for her entire life it completely changed how I exercise.

This book is simply outstanding, and it's exactly what is required for our times. In a world where obesity is a so called 'epidemic', food is becoming more processed and unhealthy, and everyone wants to take pills to solve their problems, this book is needed now more than ever. As an orthopaedic surgeon in Australia this book and its excellent research has encouraged me to push exercise up the spectrum in my regime of treatments.

I have just recently started reading Spark, it was suggested to me from my A&PII professor. its a great easy ready that really give your valuable insight to brain growth and attributing factors. Im working on an OT degree and feel that this knowledge I will go back to in my profession.

I expected more from this book than it delivers. It's not that the message it contains is not important and useful, but it is not that complex that it needs to be stretched out over a book when it could easily have fit in an article of reasonable length.

Ratey brings all the evidence together to scientifically prove what so many people have suspected for a long time. That people are happier and healthier when they are physically challenging themselves. Phychiatrists may think about finding a new line of work.

John J. Ratey's book is important and a great addition to exercise science. But I was concerned by some insufficient stats in his research. For example, I am very familiar with Naperville, Illinois, which he cites as the area in the U.S. where high school students academically fair as well or better than Asian students in Japan, China, India, etc.

Ratey attributes Naperville's academic excellence to exercise, and not to ethnicity. However, Ratey does not indicate the ethnic distribution of students in Naperville. I happen to know that Naperville is peppered with industries like Lucent Technologies, etc. that hire larger than average numbers of Asian employees in computer science, engineering, etc. Naperville has a "huge" Asian population, and Ratey's book left me asking the begging question, "Is Ratey really comparing non-Asian American high schoolers to Asian high schoolers, or is he comparing American Asian high schoolers to native-born Asians?"

If the latter, then Naperville academic success amounts to very smart Asians in the U.S. outpacing less exercised Asians abroad. In short, although exercise might be part of the reason for Naperville's academic success, another hidden reason might be the genetic argument that Asians simply score better in school.

Take a look at piano competitions, where it is a well known fact that Asians seem to dominate in recent years in competitions at all age groups (e.g. see Veda Kablinsky's comment on Asian piano superiority in the Van Cliburn Competition DVD, "In the Heart.")

Statistical omissions in Ratey's book as that mentioned aboved dampens it's convincing power. Still, SPARK is a very good book and a valuable contribution to exercise science. It should be purchased and read by all (on a treadmill)!

There really isn't much to this. It's a great concept, but not a great read. It should be more of a long article than a book. Basically, exercise is really good for you! In case you didn't already know that, this book goes into it exhaustively. Exercise helps improve your mood! You will beat depression if you exercise! Sorry for the sarcasm, but this is the gist of the book. If you are really interested in the science behind it or more specifics, then read it. If not, then skip it. Definitely more of a library book than a purchase.

A year ago (July 1st 2011), just 24 days away from turning 66, I started reading this book and started walking. The information about what exercise does for the brain and body made me want to give it a try. I started with 15 minutes out the door away and 15 minutes back, then worked up to whatever I could walk in an hour. I was focused on 30 days making it a habit. I walked every day for the first 30, and since then have never skipped more than 3 days in a row. I now walk 1 to 1 1/2 hours almost every day. I have not been sick (not even a cold) since I started (knock on wood) and my blood pressure returned to the level I had in my 20s. In one year I've lost 26 pounds, two sizes, 5 inches off my waist and gained a lot of muscle. I highly recommend reading this book and putting it into action! A few days ago, I decided to mark the anniversary by reading it again. Still a good read and it gave me some new goals! I think I may splurge and get a heart monitor for year two.

I speak mainly from my own experience of adding walking to my life to improve health, but the information in the book about exercise and education, as well as exercise and work performance, is timely and interesting. It should probably be read by anyone involved in education or desiring a more productive workplace.

The problem I faced reading this book is that I don't trust the studies he mentioned in the first chapter. He says that the kids from that Nashville school show better scores in tests, though he doesn't mention that these kids are from well educated families. So they probably have better teachers and parents with a specific attitude towards education. That doesn't show anything about PE, it only shows that the richer you are in the US the better your life is.

I picked this book up at a used book sale some time ago and have been slowly working my way through it chapter by chapter. As a clinical psychologist, I was familiar with author John Ratey's book DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION (about Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), and I was very interested in the impact that exercise can have on mental health. This book also appealed to me on a more personal level, as I am a daily exerciser myself as well as a yoga instructor.

Ratey makes a strong case that what is go for the body is good for the brain. The opening chapters introduce some basic neuroscience, emphasizing the mind-body connection and how movement facilitates learning. For the remainder of the book, Ratey uses each chapter to address a specific concern or condition. He begins with one of the most common, stress. In relatively simple language, Ratey continues to weave in relevant science as he explains the effects of stress on the body. Using both anecdotal evidence and research studies, he provides specific information about how various forms of exercise can serve to improve stress outcomes.

Ratey continues in this same manner throughout the remainder of the book. He talks about both anxiety and depression, making the case that exercise can be used as a treatment in conjunction with psychotropic medication and may perhaps be even MORE effective in some instances. His review of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is particularly significant given that he himself suffers from this disorder; Ratey shares not only his own personal experiences but also those of clients who have been successful in managing their AD/HD with exercise. Additional chapters address addiction and aging (which includes information on how exercise can reduce risk of dementia).

In the final chapter, Ratey provides somewhat of a prescription, or what he calls "The Regimen." He readily recognizes that many people try to exercise but become easily discouraged, and he strongly emphasizes that the most important thing is simply to do SOMETHING. He suggests walking to start, and he does recommend buying a heart rate monitor as a way to gauge progress. For anyone who is on the fence concerning whether an exercise program might be beneficial, this is an excellent book. I would particularly recommend for those diagnosed with any of the conditions addressed (which is basically everyone since we all age, right?). I am a true believer in the ability of exercise to enhance not only physical but also mental health, and I am thankful that Ratey has provided this book to back up my beliefs.

My husband wanted this book for his birthday a few years ago. He hardly got through a 1/4 of it before putting it down and still hasn't picked it up. He loves to read and loves science stuff, but I guess this wasn't for him. Not sure why it didn't grab his attention. Guess it's kind of hard to rate or review this as everyone has their own personal preference.

Disappointing. The first 20 pages of the book tell the story, the rest is a bunch of mumbling about cells and mytochondia and alike. Basically, if you want to live longer and be smarter - exercise will help. If you want your kids to get better grades at school - exercise in the mornings should help. Exercise clears up our thinking and helps us "think better". That's pretty much all you will take away from this book.

This book is well written and has lots of interesting little nuggets. It's not quite prescriptive enough to call a "self-help" book but I'm sure most readers pick this up with the intent of improving their own lives. The beginning of the book goes on for a while with a story about a school which in a whole a whole host of ways by reforming PE class. Read it if it grips you but don't feel bad about skipping it. The remaining chapters are separated by various aspects of health. I'm a college-age guy and was quite gripped by the sections on stress reduction and mental health. I kinda glossed over the women's health chapters and zone back in for the end. This made the book a much quicker read and more dense with the information I was most likely to implement in my life. Everyone is different, though, and will use this book to reach their own set of goals. Happy reading!

This has been a life changing book for me and ever since listening through the Audible edition, I've put it into practice and have experienced its benefits in all aspects of my life. I only wish I had discovered it sooner.

Here are my thoughts and observations:

SURPRISING RESEARCH: Even though this book has been out since 2008, I doubt that more than a tiny percentage of the population know of its findings, i.e. that aerobic exercise changes the brain both chemically and structuring, bringing about sustained boosts to your intelligence. I believe that most people have thus mainstream belief about "runners high" that sustained aerobic exercises puts you in a mood and makes you sharper mentally, but I think the common assumption is that it's a temporary effect that wears off after an hour or two.

TRUMPS OTHER PRACTICES: I have practiced meditation and Qigong in the past to improve my mental focus. Along with the research in this book, my subject impression is that aerobic exercise, as taught in this book, is triggers stronger and more sustained improvements in my mental performance.

AEROBIC EXERCISE AS A NOOTROPIC DRUG: "Aerobic exercise" is an almost embarrassingly ancient term from the 1970s and 80s. It conjures images a culture of joggers with headbands who ran listening to their Sony Walkman. It was a fad that, fortunately many people stuck with, but I think primarily because it make them feel good. But these days people get busy in the careers and look to Red Bull and 5-hour Energy to get an mental edge. Some people go hardcore and buy Nootropic supplements to get that "investment banker" edge. But the author quite astutely maintains that aerobic exercise provides a higher quality enhancement to mental acuity than what people are spending all this money on. For me, that was an earth-shattering revelation.

BACKED BY IN-DEPTH STUDIES: The research presented in this book is impeccable. Some studies, such as with schools in Naperville, Illinois involve large numbers of people (in this case, kids) who performed vastly better with their test scores in science and math than the the rest of the population. Other studies presented in the book involve smaller sample sizes and the author was completely forthright in pointing out their lower reliability. While, it is true that the prescribed exercise regimen for enabling your brain to reap these wonderful benefits is just a couple of chapters in this book, I commend the author for not watering the down the science. Think about it. He had to overturn 30 years of the ingrained belief "runners high" is the only mental benefit stemming from aerobic exercise. For those who have a tough time slogging through the research, try the Audible version.

ANSWERS THE QUESTION I'VE ALWAYS HAD. Whenever I've watched top athletes being interviewed on TV, I've noticed -- hey these guys are pretty sharp. I've wondered if they rose to the top ranks of their sport because they're smart or the the practice of their sport made them smarter. This book has allowed me to conclude that it's very likely both.

IT MOTIVATES ME: I have exercised regularly since the 1980s, but in recent years I focused on doing interval training twice a week with muscle workouts in between. Since listening to the first few chapters of this book on Audible, I immediately went back to doing 30 minutes of aerobic exercise each morning on a machine I happen to have. No surprise...it definitely helps both my mind and my mental focus. Without having read this book, I would have already known that. But, the big difference now is that I know it can produce measurable improvements in my long-term mental performance, enhance the structure of my brain, and -- as the book contents -- protect myself from Alzheimer's. This is one daily practice that I have every intention to continue.

In conclusion, I think this is a very important, groundbreaking book probably deserves far more attention than it's getting. Billions of dollars are being spend on research and drugs for ADHD, Alzheimer's, depression and many other maladies affecting the mind -- that can be helped by this simple aerobic exercise according to the research in this book. Test scores for U.S. students in math and science are now ranked far behind those of other countries. Read (or listen to) this book and I believe you'll find an solution that should be implemented at a national level.

It sounds too simplistic and too good to be true doesn't it? But that why reading (or listening to) the scores of studies and research programs is important.

First of all, I am NOT a fitness junky. I'm active over all, but I'm one of those people that always has to push my self to do any kind of structured exercise. This book makes me WANT to get moving. It helps me understand how important it really is, how much our physical activity has to do with every aspect of our well being, not just about trying to loose a few pounds. This is about your brain and how activity helps it. It's so much more important than just trying to loose a few extra pounds. This teaches about exercises connection to helping with learning, memory, repairing brain damage, combating alzheimser's, parkensons disease, general feelings of blah all the way to server depression, anxiety, stress, paranoia, anger management, ADHD, PMS, pain management, bone loss.. and more.
I got this first as a audio book and enjoyed it so much I am purchasing it in paper back just so I can have it on hand to skim through or share with family members.
In some areas the brain science information go a little difficult to follow, but I think listening to it helped me get through the harder to understand areas. Im going to have my kids read it, and I think every one should.
This is excellent information.

The material in the book is outstanding. It’s such an eye opener and would be great for anyone to read... it really moved me in so many ways! My only complaint (and why I gave it 3 stars instead of 5) is how terrible the binding on it is.... I ordered the paperback and not even 20 pages into the book the pages already started falling out.... and then continued to do so the entire time I read it. Nearly the entire binding fell off the book before I even got to page 50 so it was a hassle to even try to keep the book all together. Would appreciate a copy of it that isn’t falling apart.

This book really deserves a 5-star rating. Not because it's one of those "almost perfect" books, but because of the meaningful impact it will probably have in the life of the reader.

You'll be eager and excited to seriously insert exercise in your daily routine after reading this. The positive consequences mentioned in the book are all really visible to anyone after a few weeks or months of training.

When I first saw the book, I thought "how could anyone write a WHOLE book on the relationship between exercise and the brain?". In Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina, the subject deserved only a chapter, and it seemed more than enough!

To my surprise, it's really a pleasure to read the whole book. Surely, sometimes the book can be repetitive - the separate chapters dedicated to anxiety, attention, aging, etc, could easily been made as subsections of a same chapter, if the format was a paper/article instead of a book. Still, although the main logic is the same across all chapters, each one adds at least one important aspect or nuance to the subject.

Some people might also think that the biological explanations are more detailed than they should, but you can easily skip them if you want to. Despite possibly making the reading less pleasurable for some of the people, I still think they are needed, as they make the book much more suitable to doctors who don't work in the neurology field. This probably helps to spread the word along the medical world, which is very important as well.

Without going into my own personal history and divulging too much of personal information, I will say that this book was interesting from the beginning until its end. I know, a book about the brain seems to be fated toward boredom, but not in this case.

Not everyone who reads, knows about the brain. If you are not a medical student of any type, you would have no reason to know about neurons, axons, dendrites etc. You would not know about neurotransmitters or synaptic clefts. This book explains it in such a way that it is vivid, real and understandable. It also puts into focus how the brain works in activity and without.

I disagree with those who have said this book is repetitive. There have been many studies on the brain-especially in children, yet our schools still operate the same way and so does our society. Until this book, that message was missed on me (a former brain injury patient as a child). I now realize what we've missed out on and the opportunities that we have lost because we have missed the fundamental importance of what Dr. Ratey is saying here. I appreciate the examples of studies and their findings as well as the stories about the lives that have changed. If one school can make such a small change that made the difference so they were able to outpace all other students in the world, all of our children deserve that! Did you know about Naperville Central? I sure didn't! In fact, a number of my friends home school and I've forwarded this information to them and we will see how well their kids do after they implement something in their homes.

I have recently returned to school and found myself having difficulty with something I am already doing. Anatomy and Physiology is such a part of my job that it makes no sense that I am failing practicals whereas I had never failed anything before (even since returning to school 3 years ago). To me, the answers lie within what Dr. Ratey is saying here and I'm more appreciative for this information that I can possibly verbalize.

well, i have been damn depressed most of my life time.
when i was 18, i was seriously depressed, and i found taekwondo. i practiced it really hard everyday with all my will power (forced exercise; i didn't like exercise for its own sake) for next 6 months, and my life started looking up. my face started beaming (people could tell) and i found a girl friend, etc... however, i started not exercising (i lost motivation), and now, i am in 40s with big belly fat, 40~50 pounds over-weight and not motivated to do anything. i think what i needed was some reminder how exercise can benefit your life and improve brain function. I exercised back then, not because i wanted to, but because i was so miserable and i needed some outlets. this is a great book that can change your core beliefs in exercise. exercise cannot solve all your problems, but it can definitely help out, and i will give it a sincere try this time. i started exercising a few days ago, and my mood is up. i can greet people with smile. forced exercise isn't really effective as the author pointed out. this book gives you tons of reason and scientific research to make you "WANT TO" exercise. great book for those who want to change their lives and get moving toward success. i think this book is better than most self help books out there which just pumps you up for a few days.

Executive Summary -- Exercise will help improve mental function. Ratey uses nine chapters to describe the physical and chemical processes that happen in the brain for various mental conditions. He explaines that exercise will stimulate the growth of stem cells that can, in turn, become brain cells. In one of these chapters, he mentions that exercise involving skills such as tennis will work better than just physical activity (running). Also mentioned once is that ten minutes of a complex physical activity before a learning session (I take this to be something like yoga, or Tai Chi.) will enhance the learning process.
In chapter 10, the money chapter on physical activity, he suggestes getting into shape perhaps by walking first, and then jogging, and possibly then running as someone gets stronger, and to continue to challenge yourself physically. He says that reistance training is an unknown in terms of activaiting the brain to learn as no research has been done in this area. He does not appear to mention anything about using the combination of exercise and skills activity.
I'll get around to increasing my physical activity, but I'm still not sure what to do.

P.S. Unless you're interested in neurochemistry and neurophysilogy, this is the book.

This is well-written, very informative, and very engaging book in the human brain. You might think it could be boring or trite, but it's not. Someone like me coming from non-medical background felt this book delivered its materials in an informative and engaging way. It brought crucial research results that never been discussed heavily on media about the hidden benefits of aerobic exercise that pharmaceutical never wanted you to know about. The author explained clearly lots of anecdotes supported by scientific research papers from Japan to America, and from South Africa to Sweden. I highly recommend this book if you have any aspects of depression, anger, boredom, anxiety, loneliness, or even worries. I barely praise books and this one made it.

I bought this book for my dad for Christmas a couple years ago, to encourage his New Year's resolutions regarding exercising more. But after the unwrapping I picked it up myself and was hooked.

I have always felt intuitively that the main thesis of this book is true, and lived by it, but I never had any real evidence for that belief and never thought of looking into it myself. It just seemed self-evident that exercise was a necessary and profitable thing to be doing, even as friends during exam-time would ask how I could possibly waste an hour at the gym with finals the next morning.

Well, the evidence is in (and has been for some time, it seems) and Ratey does a very admirable job of collecting much of it in one place, and explaining it all in way simple enough for absolutely anyone to understand. Yes, he oversimplifies greatly (brain-derived neurotrophic factor becomes 'Miracle-Gro for your brain'), but then that's the idea, to get this message out and increase people's awareness of just how beneficial exercise is for the brain/mind.

This message is examined from almost every conceivable angle, again, all in a very easily-comprehensible way. As I studied neuroscience in undergrad, I was astounded that none of this revolutionary information was being taught. Whether you look at grades, motivation, depression scores, etc. on the behavioral level, or go down to the neural and genetic level in mice, looking at dendrites, BDNF, and so on, every measure suggests that exercise (cardiovascular mostly, but some evidence for strength training as well) has positive effects on mood, memory, motivation, intelligence (IQ) and so on and so forth. The list goes on. Not only are these ameliorative effects observed, but exercise seems to have protective/preventive effects as well with respect to degenerative neural diseases like Alzheimer's or relapses into conditions like depression. This is all ON TOP of the many and obvious benefits for the rest of your body's health and wellbeing! And actually looking at the amount of exercise used in many of the studies, it is a truly pittling amount of time to spend (on the order of a few hours a week, at most) for such wonderful benefits.

Furthermore, the book is entertaining and well-written, probably largely thanks to the efforts of the co-author. Ratey himself seems very earnest and to have only the best intentions at heart in getting these ideas out to a nation so wealthy it is creating new diseases of excess for itself (like obesity and Type II diabetes). He's done a great credit to his own mission, and all of us, by marshalling the extensive evidence for his claims in a very readable and well-referenced account.

Read this book, and then stick to an exercise routine! Your grey matter will thank you.

This is a great book. I got the first one from Audible, then sent one to my sister, and this purchase was for my parents. His research gives us reason to have our kids exercise before a test, and lobby our school systems to put a PE class that is based on heart rate rather than sports ability. Not only does this research prove that exercise is good for a child's brain, but for those of us over 50 it staves off depression, dementia, and Alzheimer's.

This book give you a great Spark to get back into daily exercise. It not only helps our physique, but our psyche as well.

John Ratey, in his most recent book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, discusses the connection between physical activity and the brain, specifically learning. Ratey is an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and has previously published eight other books, along with 60 peer-reviewed articles. His work is frequently shown in the media on ABC, CBS, NBC, as well as in newspapers like The New York Times. Much of his research focuses on behavioral and mental disorders, such as ADHD and Alzheimer’s disease. His research led to many of the findings described within his book, explaining how exercise can enhance learning due to neural plasticity and possibly stave off mental disorders.
Ratey begins the story by retelling his discovery of a school district in Illinois that has implemented a rigorous exercise program to its curriculum. Since the program has been put in to effect, students’ grades have risen, as well as their standardized test scores. He uses this school as a central theme throughout the book as an example to illustrate the scientific basis for why exercise can enhance learning. Each chapter centers on a specific mental disorder such as anxiety, stress, depression, ADHD, and Alzheimer’s disease. Ratey summarizes within these chapters the molecular and psychological reasons behind why exercise can potentially help in combating these ailments. He then delves deeper, and provides evidence for how exercise can also aid individuals that suffer from these disorders. Throughout his book, he recounts stories of many patients he has previously provided mental care for. Their case studies emphasize the role exercise has played in changing their lives, and real-world clinical evidence for Ratey’s argument.
According to Ratey, it all boils down to how exercise increases the brains ability to create new neurons through long-term potentiation. For years it has been believed that people were born with a specific number of neurons that could only be destroyed, not created. Ratey provides proof that this is not the case. Our brains can create brand new neurons, and physical activity helps us do it. By exercising, we are changing the chemistry within our brain that helps us complete difficult tasks. When we move our muscles during rigorous exercise, it stimulates our brains create new proteins, specifically Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). This protein is directly involved in neuroplasticity, creating new neurons and synapses, which can enhance learning, delay aging, and help with disorders like depression. We can problem solve quicker, get a higher score on an exam, and psychologically be a happier person overall, even at a desk job. He stresses that exercise is not only beneficial for individuals with a mental disorder, but for everyone that wants to keep their brains ‘young’ as they age.
In general, I felt the book was well organized but may have gone a bit too in depth describing a few of the mental disorders. A lot of the molecular information could get somewhat overwhelming at times with scientific language, and may be difficult to understand for a person who has not taken a psychology or neuroscience class in school. Other than that, the overall message of the book was easy to grasp and very enlightening. Regular exercise is clearly significant for a multitude of reasons, all mentioned in Ratey’s rhetoric. He stresses that it is not only important to find the time to exercise, but that it can connect your body to your mind. I believe that exercise can be just as therapeutic as spending hundreds of dollars to see a clinical psychologist, maybe even better. More importantly, I think our society should continue to implement physical activity in childrens’ lives at an early age, like the school district in Illinois. The sooner kids find enjoyment in exercise, the more likely they are to carry on these behaviors later in life. I believe the book was a good reminder of the significant role exercise plays in our lives on a molecular, physical, and mental level. It is a great motivator to either begin an exercise regimen, or solidify the purpose of someone’s current exercise choices.

Need to "clear" your head? Go for a run, or a walk. Turns out, there is a lot more to this phrase than simply "getting fresh air." It should not come as a surprise that exercising changes our internal chemistry - yes, we burn calories, but could it also affect our mood and mental performance? Turns out, the answer is yes, and in fact, the impact can be dramatic. The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other (or any other form of exercise) can help with depression, improve mental acuity and performance, give you a sense of self-control, and more. Next time you're feeling down, under stress, or have a big presentation or deadline coming up - exercise.

The book covers a number of case studies, ranging from impact of doing a cardiovascular workout on high-school students, to patients suffering from depression. You'll learn about the (basic) chemistry of what goes in our bodies, plus a number of tips for how to improve your own performance - good news, it doesn't take much.

Modern America is in love with fitness. It seems that the quest for the body beautiful has reached epidemic proportions. However, most people only think about the physical benefits of exercise. It should come as no surprise that exercise is a good idea - for the body and the mind. Although marketing gurus would have us believe that everyone in America owns a Bowflex or an Ab-Roller, it seems that the result of our overly sedentary lifestyle has largely caught up with us.

Mind you, this is not a novel idea. Even Plato conceded, "Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical exercise save it and preserve it." This tome came to us from one of the very people who helped lay the philosophical foundation of Western culture.

Building upon this platonic idea that humans are genetically built to move, Dr. John Ratey provides an excellent development of the "why" behind exercise's importance. His book, Spark: the Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain provides enough scientific evidence to spark an interest in all readers.

Dr. Ratey includes a landmark case where a school in Illinois actually reversed a negative educational trend by incorporating an intense athletic regimen. His delving into the realities there demonstrates the connection between exercise and increased intellectual acumen. Many school districts, who are currently opining for the next "magical bullet" to fix their systems, might find their money better spent on heart rate monitors that prove their students are exercising in the right zone. This methodology worked wonders in Naperville, Illinois.

It seems that Dr. Ratey wants to destroy stereotypes of unintelligent athletes. Nothing could be further from the truth: more movement actually increases the brain's ability to learn. This book provides sufficient scientific detail to prove it - to a physician, teacher, or layman. Dr. Ratey, himself a clinical associate professor of psychiatry, has no intention to aim this work exclusively at the scientifically minded, however. Even the intermittent athlete can benefit from decreased tendencies toward stress, depression, or anxiety.

Armchair Interviews says: Who needs this book? Anyone who wants to be smarter - and understand "why" exercise can provide a kick start for the brain.

Really? We all know it to be true, but this book shows why exercise is good for your brain and stimulates learning. That's right, your brain. The part of the body we know the littlest about is the subject of this book. I liked the opening chapters the most--especially when they discussed how educators around the country are taking the SPARK concept and incorporating it into their schools. The result? Better achievement outcomes for students. After reading Spark, you will never be able to think about exercise in the same light again. The last half of the book gets a little heavy on the science aspect and is less practical, but it is still interesting.

Spark shines a light on the importance of exercise that elevates the heart rate to 80% of its capacity for at least three times a week. It's not just exercise that has a great impact upon the brain, but it is strenuous exercise--exercise that gets our heart rate elevated and releases chemicals throughout our body that make us feel better, bring healing, and make us smarter. That's right, smarter. If you need motivation to get up off the couch and get moving, this is the book for you. You won't regret it.

If it wasn't already obvious that exercise is good for you then this book will demonstrate how it is also good for the brain. The book is loaded with lots of details about exactly how exercise stimulates and maintains our brains. It also details how to train to achieve optimal brain functionality.

The book contains plenty of medical evidence (the author being a doctor and all) that certainly adds a good deal of credibility to something that seems very obvious. The chapters cover a range of ailments and how exercise has been shown to overcome them. Even though some activity is better than no activity (which is the norm these days) the book demonstrates how you must push yourself physically to get the most from the grey matter between your ears. This is probably the hard part but the benefits seem well worth it.

Generally the book is a good read but there is plenty of medical terminology mixed in which can make it a bit hard to follow. However, if you did want to really investigate the processes detailed here then it seems that the specific mentioned in the book are a great place to start any research.

Although the thesis of the book can be summed up in one simple common sense phrase for those that are interesting in understand better how the brain works and how it responds to physical activity then this book is a recommended read.

In "Spark" Harvard Medical School John Ratey begins with an Illinois school district where administrators have implemented a fitness program and seen startling success in student's academic records. The administrators discovered that regular intense cardio-vascular exercise make students more alert and focused in the classroom, and able to absorb and retain information better. That's the power and miracle of exercise, Dr. Ratey says, and completey ignores the fact that smart committed administrators with initiative and drive are going to succeed no matter what program they implement (whether it be a reading program or a meditation program or an outdoor education program). The breathless writing in "Spark" -- exercise will relieve stress, anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder, addiction, hormonal changes in women, and aging -- can be annoying at times, as is the overcomplicated science behind exercise's effect on the brain that can be skimmed at times and ignored at times. But there's no doubt that John Ratey offers sage and useful advice, and that the world would indeed be a lot better if people exercised more.

An fascinating and easy read. Super valuable information that I have put to use for many years; it's great to find validation. The human body was designed for physical work and this book proves it. Quite scientific yet spoken in the vernacular, these principles applied to anyone's daily life will result in improved physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health........it's really a no brainer.

It's easy to disregard the relationship between exercise and our cognitive alertness. It would be nice to think that we could find a less taxing way of stimulating and regenerating our minds without the pain or stress of movement. But there are far too many benefits to moderate exercise to ignore or to treat lightly.

Realizing more about the science of exercise and how it affects our long term ability to learn was motivating and encouraging. It spurred me on to get more serious in my workout routines, going from an average of four days a week for 40-45 minutes to 6 days a week for 45-50 minutes.

It's still painful at times, but the euphoria that I feel afterwards diminishes that memory and keeps me coming back for more the next day. Having a workout buddy also keeps the experience fresh.

Dr. Ratey always has the ability to bring science and practical wisdom together into big ah-ha moments. (I loved his book "Shadow Syndromes.") Funny, and sad, how we have gotten so far from what our bodies were designed to do - move, exercise, dance, swim, skate, walk, run, skip, play, learn and practice a skill or sport.

Exercise is that crucial missing piece that we all think is something we have no time for in our schedule, today, as if it were a luxury. But Ratey explains exactly why we have to discover that time. Exercise, or the lack of it, affects success in school, at work and in life, and contributes to an overall sense of satisfaction and pleasure. It's not just about the body. It's about the brain.

We need exercise to activate those dopamine neurons in the reward center of the brain. (P.142) The fact that we have a reward area in the brain, is absolutely fascinating to me. Working with ADHD adults, I have had the opportunity to observe the proof of exactly what this book explores. Those adults who exercise, who find new ways to MOVE and do so in a ways that appeal to them - find more contentment, satisfaction and success.

"Spark" certainly creates a mandate for what is lacking in our educational system and in our country's future. If we don't truly get the role that exercise plays, if we can't see the simple science of it all, where are we headed? You know, there is a lot of hope in this book, if only we could share it with all those who design programs for children.

So, get up and move!

Linda Anderson, MA, Master Coach
Specializing in ADHD Adults

I listened to the audio version on the book. It's an enjoyable read and I was engrossed in the message. The main message is simply this: The more fit among us have more energy and do better at our daily tasks. This was proved in Naperville, IL where the students at Madison Junior High School were studied while given new ways to get in shape and stay in shape through physical fitness.

Where I argue with the message is that it pushes aerobic exercise and doesn't mention the all-important resistance exercise. In fact, studies are proving that resistance exercise is more important and is, in and of itself, a cardiovascular workout. I'm so tired of people, especially fitness authors and others, who always think "aerobics".

Aerobics was invented in the sixties to get women moving. Women wouldn't do weight training. So something that appealed to them was brought about. Then men started doing it and we know the rest. And now there are bad knees, hip replacements and worn out bodies. The human body was not meant to run for long periods. It was, however, designed to lift heavy items in spurts and to be prepared to, if necessary, run for a short distance quickly. Zebra run for miles in a herd. People do not. The only time you see a herd of people running like zebras is in a marathon, after which at least one person often falls dead. The person. Not the zebra.

Aerobics make money for gyms and for others. It gets people, especially women, into the gym several times a week and the money comes in. It sells DVDs and various programs. Resistance exercise doesn't do that --- especially the scientifically-proven most effective form of one intense, brief session per week.

But that aside, I like the way the author shows how exercise improved brain function.

All of us who workout know how wonderful exercise makes us feel. If I'm depressed, a short workout will make me feel renewed. If something is hurting or I just don't feel good, some exercise turns that around and I feel great, relaxed and ready to go.

But it also makes our brain function better, at a higher level. Studies show it can ward off Alzheimer's. We don't hear much about that because it's not making money for big pharma and the medical establishment.

If you want to know just what exercise can do for your mind and the way you function, you'll want to listen to this audio or read the book.

Highly recommended.

-- Susanna K. Hutcheson

THis book was amazing..It is how our bodies and our mind play role in physical movement.Exercise develops the body,as well as the brain.Exercise,releases endorfans,seratonim,which makes you feel happy and good.,and also I just want to mention/describe this whole book in 1 sentence:: This book shows how much mind and body are very much correlated.
Exercise helps people l verbally,physically,mentally,emotionally,sexually,phychologically,and just overall every human should have exercise as a consistant routine.I strongly recommend this book for everyone.for the price of this book,you will learn amazing lessons,and your lifespan will probably last much longer due to determination after reading this book. The doctors that improved patients health in this book really saved and changed there life in a positive way.this book is just AMAZING. Its health related and scientifically related so its double positive when it comes to education....dont wait another minute...its worth it..and youu will thinakkk me..i liked itt:))

This is a decent book with an optimistic message. We can alter our brain growth, chemistry and function by the simple expedient of moving ourselves and doing some exercise. The exercise will boost our physical and mental effectiveness, and counteract, or prevent entirely, our tendencies to be anxious, down, depressed, irritable, poor concentration or "hormonal". Exercise will boost the function of our brains and our bodies to our own and our family's, friends' and colleagues' benefits.

Exercise does this by boosting BDGF and rebalancing the levels of sertraline, norepinephrine (noradrenalin) and dopamine and by helping it get the right balance of excitatory and inhibitory traffic across synapses. The microscopic effects lead on the good macroscopically observable (psychological) effects we can feel and observe. Oh and the exercise is helping your body develop well too.

By the time you have read this book you will have come to realise that exercise is a GOOD THING for your brain and your body. As animals we are meant to move, and we feel better when we travel a certain distance each day under our own efforts.

The real question is does the author establish his case fully? I think mostly he does, but we are taking a lot on trust here. It is obvious in the text that at times the author is referring to specific papers (as he should be in a text making large claims as this one does). The corresponding references are not given so we have to take the author's assertion and we cannot check the references for ourselves. So we are having to take the facts presented on trust...although the author does come across as trustworthy. The lack of references does make for faster reading, but as the book is not long they could have been given.(..or maybe the modern way would be to put the links on a website?)

The second potential drawback of this book is that exercise comes across as a bit of a panacea, which it isn't. I know this book is written as advocacy, but a bit of perspective and review wouldn't go amiss. There's an element of preaching in the book which is within tolerable limits.

The basic thesis of this book is that mental dysfunction is often a reflection of our sedentary and stressed lifestyles and that seems a reasonable proposition. The idea that thinking is a motor act, and intimately related with movement is plausible. The idea that exercise will help a lot of people with mental health problems to get better is one that I hope will become more widespread with time. It offers many people a way out of mental illness that is entirely self help, drug free and readily available. I hope the ideas of this book Spark many of us into action.

I recommend this book, and acting on it. It lost a star for the lack of references and slightly preachy style.

The author tried to cast too wide a net for this book. The topics covered in the various chapters are so ranging that they would never apply to just one reader. My other main complaint about this book is how bland its recommendations are. This might have been a tight, rhetorical piece about the importance of exercise for personal health, but it's one of those diffuse, study-driven popular non-fiction titles that offers very few conclusive statements beyond 'Exercise is good for you. Do it in moderation.' -Ryan Mease

I've read a lot about the brain in the last decade, and I thought this book was the most helpful summary I've seen of what to do differently. The thinking person is the person who aerobically exercises regularly.

Spark is an excellent summary of the brain research during the last decade or so that has added to our knowledge of how regular aerobic exercise stimulates better and more effective mental activity. Dr. Ratey considers the impact of such exercise on school-age children . . . and adults with stress, anxiety, depression, attention deficits, hormonal changes, and aging bodies. He also recommends a general exercise regime that seems to optimize what we know today from these studies.

The essence of the book can be found in the observation that optimal brain functioning requires plenty of blood, the right nutrients, a balance of body chemicals designed to help the brain operate, and an ability to grow new cells and connections in the brain. Each of these elements is helped by regular aerobic exercise. The results are often measurable within a few weeks.

So if you thought that aerobic exercise was simply about looking and feeling good, you're wrong. It's also about thinking well and being able to learn. There are longevity and other quality of life benefits as well . . . including reduced incidence of disease and less chance of dementia.

The book also explores that you don't have to do a tremendous amount of exercise to get most of the benefits.

For years I told people that if I was working out for my body, I would have quit a long time ago. I work out for my head (mental and emotional states). I am able to think and function better after working out - just a better and easier time of going through life. This book confirmed and elaborated upon what I had always thought and experienced. The author makes out exercise to be a panacea, and the fact of the matter is that it truly is. The studies/literature and the anecdotal evidence support this. And, from personal experience, I can certainly state with the utmost conviction that it is/has been for me! Definitely worth a read!

With Eric Hagerman, John Ratey has written a book in which he explains -- in layman's terms (to the extent that is possible) -- how physical exercise can "supercharge [provide a `spark' to] mental circuits to avoid or overcome stress, sharpen thinking, lift mood, increase memory...and much more." Obviously, these are all highly desirable results to achieve. Alas, many children as well as adults are out of (physical) shape, do not eat properly, and continue under severe stress to meet their obligations. The implications of what Ratey explains and recommends should be of special interest to young adults, their parents, school administrators, teachers, and coaches as well as to business executives who are responsible for the performance of those whom they supervise.

Here are some of the questions to which he responds:

What are some of the most common misconceptions about "the brain-body connection"?

What in fact is true?

How can aerobic exercise physically remodel our brains for peak performance?

Why is physical exercise the best defense against addiction, aggression, ADD, menopause, and even Alzheimer's?

What are the most significant revelations of a fitness program sponsored by the Naperville (IL) public school district in which more than 19,000 children participated?

Why should such a program (with necessary modifications) be made available to other school children?

In the absence of such a program, what can parents do to increase their children's physical exercise? What sacrifices (if any) must be made to accomplish that?

At a minimum, how frequently should we exercise...and for how long?

What are the benefits to be gained even from minimal exercise?

All of Ratey's observations and recommendations are research-driven, supplemented by his own personal experiences. He seems to be on a mission (one that is commendable) to do everything he possibly can to broaden and deepen public awareness of the consequences of obesity, lethargy, and indolence but also, more to the point, to provide reassurance that even a modest increase in physical exercise can have substantial benefits, not only in terms of improved health but also increased achievement and consequent pride in the classroom as well as in the workplace...indeed in every realm of human life.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Ratey's A User's Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain and John Medina's Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School (Book & DVD). It is worth noting that everything that Ratey recommends is consistent with the various "rules" that Medina identifies and discusses, notably #1 ("Exercise boosts brain power"), #7 ("Sleep well, think well"), #8 ("Stressed brains don't learn the same way"), #9 ("Stimulate more of the senses"), and #12 ("We are all natural explorers"). How simple it seems: Eat right and get lots of exercise and sufficient rest. If you do, you will reduce stress and nourish your curiosity. To many of us, the obvious is often invisible until we are enlightened by others such as John Ratey and John Medina.

I did really like the book and I think it is a great concept. Like a lot of things these days you can find the same info from the same author on youtube. If you like to read I say go for it, if not just find the Ted talks on youtube.

Even though some of the book was dry and flaunted complex chemical names, I had to give it 5 stars because it contained much new and useful information.The first section deals with a unique solution to the problems in schools. If it proves to be universally effective, it is both cost effective and much less reactionary than the path most of our country is currently taking. The remainder of the book is a convincing argument for a healthier life. The overall effect has me experimenting with changes to my life style (unusual for me), and so far it appears to be for the better.

I was able to borrow this book and was completely amazed by what I read! I knew that exercise was good for you, but to actually find out WHY and how everything is all connected, it gives you a greater understanding of yourself and others. I continually have my friends read this and my husband, who isn't the most motivated individual when it comes to exercise, but this book gave me a different outlook on why that is, so now that I understand MORE, it helps me to help him and others. I would recommend this book to anyone who is in the fitness field or whom may feel unmotivated, stuck, depressed and unwilling to get up and move. I feel that if they were to understand the "WHY" they may want to get up and move. It's a great book!

This is an exceptional book on why exercise should be the cornerstone of your life.

The only problem is it may be a little "stiff" for the less scientifically inclined. I have a Masters degree in Engineering Physics and I had to step back in key paragraphs to re-read it. Got it, but it sometimes took patience. On the other hand, it also may be a testament to the depth of this book. It would have been nice if there could have been more tables, charts and figures to help examine the material. Instead of text only to describe biochemical mechanism within the body, there should be accompanying drawings. If there were, then it would have been a 5 out 5.

What's astounding about this book is that he gives the reader all the latest, myth busting research right up to the end of 2007. All his evidence will have you no longer saying to your kids "Did you finish your homework, then you can go out to play" but rather "Did you finish your playing outdoors, then you can do your homework". Suffice it to say we were never built to sit at a desk. We haven't changed much since the days of tracking down prey with combinations of walking, jogging and sprinting to make the kill. Yet, most people burn less than 50% of the calories that our ancestors did. This is compounded by our lack of focus on fitness coupled to a sedimentary work life. And I think that is the premise of the book and may be the root cause of all the afflictions he goes on to talk about: kid's poor scores in school, adult and child obesity, dementia, parkinson disease and depression to name a few. He also gives the latest research insights for fitness with number of days, hours and intensity levels that are best. Unfortuately, he doesn't go into details of the how to run, weightlift etc. That I think is for another book.

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise. I really appreciate Dr. John J. Ratey's work. It is essential for humans to understand how the body affects the brain and vice-versa . This book is very interesting since it integrates a neuroscientific introduction to the subject of physical activity/exercise and brain health, however, did the author missed the scientific references? Where is the references chapter? It would be extremely important if the author could correct this gap in the book. Further it would enhance readers knowledge by creating a bridge into exhaustive analysis. In addition, the book lacks references in the main content. If this book is entitled "The Revolutionary New science of Exercise and the Brain" where did the "New Science" went to?

Bought this book based on the reviews. As a nurse, I am always interested in physiology so I can pass this information to my patients. Fascinated that exercise physiologically enhances one's ability to learn. I enjoyed reading the case studies. It does have some medical terminology, but definitely for the non medical reader. I definitely look at exercise differently!

This is a brief for exercise as an element of brain fitness. The author is a Harvard Medical School Professor. There is a lot of science here --any more and I would have been lost. The idea is simply this --we are designed to be moving animals. Our brains are controlled by chemicals which must be kept in balance and cells which must be replensished and grow. Vigorous, regular exercise, like a pill we take every morning but wihtout the side effects, helps manage all of this complexity. We don't know exactly how this works but it works and is a prescription to ward off stress, depression, anxiety, dementia and other like afflictions which all have biochemical roots. In the same way that exercise benefits the heart, Dr. Raney persuasively argues it benefits the organ of the brain. My advice--read the book, go out and get a heart monitor and make vigorous exercise a standard part of your day and life.

I agree with some of the points in the negative reviews. You could get the info you need from this book if it was just a magazine article. But what this book says is SO important. Everyone who's not wholeheartedly and consistently committed to regular exercise NEEDS to know about this. Problem is, if you just tell someone that exercise will improve pretty much every aspect of their life, even things they thought couldn't be improved, they are not likely to really embrace this new knowledge, even if you have an MD after your name. But if you give them nearly 300 pages of information backing up your claim and explaining the molecular processes behind it, maybe, eventually, a light bulb will come on. It did for me, and I'm looking and feeling much better, mentally and physically.

John Ratey is well known for his groundbreaking work on Attention Deficit Disorder. He coauthored the book, "Driven to Distraction" with Ed Hallowell. His newest book is "Spark- The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain." I found Spark a fascinating read. Ratey cites dozens of studies that span decades and continents. All point to the same conclusion: exercise, and aerobic exercise in particular, boosts the release of important neurotransmitters and enhances cognitive function. For people with ADD or ADHD, this boost can be life changing. Ratey is not prescribing exercise as the "cure" for attention issues, but he does offer specific examples of people who have used exercise to combat the negative effects of stress and attention problems. Many were able to reduce or eliminate ADD medications, though he clearly states that for some people, a combination treatment of both medication and structured exercise may be best.

Ratey talks at length about the success of a special gym program instituted in Naperville, Illinois. The emphasis is on personal fitness. Students in this area have very strong tests scores and a very low rate of childhood obesity. In other places around the country that have implemented a similar program, standardized scores have risen dramatically. These case studies are fascinating.

"Spark" has inspired me to increase my own exercise routine, and also to institute morning recess at home each day. My homeschooled kids are absolutely loving it and we're finding the morning transitions go much more smoothly when we all look forward to getting outside and moving our bodies! We've been running laps on the driveway (five times back and forth to the mailbox is about a mile), doing calisthenics, playing four square, jump rope, and kickball. My three year old has her own method of jumping jacks that is just hilarious to watch. My daughter who has the hyperactive sort of attention deficit enjoys sprinting before school, and appears to have less trouble focusing after she has been active. I think my next investment will be a basketball hoop!

Everyone knows that exercise is good for the body, but it is high time that we recognize how good it is for the mind. For a child who has attention issues, a solid workout each morning may make a real difference. I'd be skeptical of a drug that claimed to, "supercharge your mental circuits to beat stress, sharpen your thinking, lift your mood, boost your memory, and much more" , but these are very real affects that regular exercise can produce. Not all exercise is equally effective in fighting symptoms of ADD. Read this book to find out how to implement a regimen that will work for you or your children.

I've tried to exercise on and off throughout my life. This book was the only thing that really managed to motivate me to do it consistently.

This book really lays it out in a clear-cut manner exactly what the benefits of exercise are. After reading it, every day you skip exercising you'll know exactly what you're missing out on.

The only "downside" to this book is that it's occasionally very technical and has many scientific words. That said, it's still quite easy to understand.

I knew next to nothing about the brain's physiology and less about the physiology's relationship to the rest of the body. While I remain no expert in the realm of neuroscience, I found `Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain' a captivating read. For the novice - meaning me - I learned something about the value of exercise in maintaining, on occasion improving, the health of the brain. Ratey approaches, and grows, his analysis by topic (learning, stress, anxiety, ... , aging). It all made sense. As a migraine sufferer I'd liked to have seen something on migraines and exercise. I guess it's up to me to put on my running shoes and see what happens!

I previously bought this on Audible and it is hands down one of my favorite books ever. I had to order it as a book so I could highlight and take notes. I love the studies, the science, the examples and the facts. I have a degree in nutrition and health and I find this so very fascinating. Most people don't realize how AMAZING exercise is for our brains, cells, connections, processes etc in our body. Highly recommend!!

"Mens sana in corpore sano". Exercise is good for your body and for your mind. The book is a clear attempt to convince and motivate the reader to pursue a healthier life. The message is important and, as far as I know, true. Scientific research is starting to investigate the exercise-brain link and the biochemical mechanics that make it possible. So far so good.

The book follows a fairly simple patter: present some "story" (school kids, patients, athletes, ...), show how the exercise helped improve some relevant cognitive metrics, discuss the relevant scientific literature, and explain the underlying mechanisms (brain structures, biochemical "actors", ...). Repeat the pattern for a list of medical conditions (depression, ADHD, ...).

This structure gets repetitive very quickly. The same concepts are repeated over and over. The "stories" are not always very engaging (nothing compared the ones presented by Oliver Sacks, for example), the underlying biochemical structure is fairly complex and doesn't seem to add much to the "message" (it's a fascinating topic in itself, and I suppose it's nearly impossible to explain such a complex machine in a book for the general public, but I found it quite dry and, at times, confusing).

There's no bibliography in case you want to look up some specific examples in more details.

There are very few details on what kind of activities are the "best" (not enough scientific data yet), even if the last chapter tries to be more specific. There's almost no "development" in the story, no doubts, no opposite sides and compromises the be reached. The message is crystal clear from the first page to the last. There are no "ah!" moments, when things really come together and offer a new perspective that adds depth to the message.

The book is probably more interesting if you have been diagnosed with one of the pathologies he describes ...

I guess all I wanted to know could have been condensed in 10 pages, and I'll be looking forward to a better version with more "data" in 10 years.

Spark explains the burgeoning research into how exercise is one of the key ingredients missing in the modern Western lifestyle. The author uses numerous anecdotal, statistical and research based examples to make a compelling case for improving quality of life during any phase by simply moving.

Depressed? Exercise! Injured? Exercise! Obese? Exercise.

Spark is an important book because the idea that you might just be able to replace your Lexapro prescription with an hour of Dance Dance Revolution per day is hugely important. The idea that your brain chemistry and your ability to feel good is largely based on how much you move is hugely important.

I happened to find Spark about a year into a rejuvenation of my own health through exercise so let me add my own anecdotal evidence - exercise can and did allow me to get through depression, panic attacks and has helped me with what is probably a mild case of ADD or ADHD - conditions I once scoffed at as made up.

Spark is a convincing tome. If it cannot get you to stop popping pills and start exercising ever day, nothing will. I did not give Spark five stars because some of the explanations of how brain chemistry works are a little complex for the general reading public.

"Spark" is truly a remarkable book written by an inspired author. The connection between mind and body that this author is able to point out further reveals how the body functions in a holistic and not reductionistic way. The only revelation that the author fails to have, is that exercise and body movement should not be viewed as any sort of "treatment" or "therapy" for those who are depressed or anxious, etc. Everyone requires a certain amount of activity/exercise to fully express their health potential. Viewed through the holistic lens (which is the correct one), it is easy to see that exercise or activity is not a therapy, but rather a necessary ingredient for health similar to a genetically congruent diet or sufficient social interaction/engagement. Dr. Ratey is on the verge of seeing this reality, but ultimately falls short. However, it is still a superb book and I highly recommend it to all.

Run, don't walk, to get this book. This should be required reading for every Doctor and School Teacher. This book will help me preserve many years of cognitive ability that I was surely destined to lose before I read it and started following Dr. Ratey's recommendations.

I found this book easy to read, extremely informative and highly motivating. The few places where I seemed to get bogged down in the science were quickly replaced by huge chunks of information that really inspired me to do the simplest of things that will protect and improve my mental stability. The information in this book really is a "no brainer!"

Buy it. Read it. Do it and you will be far ahead of almost anyone else in strengthening and preserving your mental health for the rest of your life!

To die is inevitable. However, I think this, along with legitimate brain training like "The Brain Fitness Program Software" that I just bought ($395 from PositScience) is a huge part of the key to avoiding dementia and Alzheimer's so that my brain isn't useless before my body wears out.

I love this book. It's the how & why exercise helps change your brain. It talks about neurotransmitters, synapses, and all sort of chemicals, brain receptors, hormones, etc and how they connect in the brain in laymans terms. Of course exercise will help many people suffering from depression & anxiety to feel better....this book explains how that happens. It's easy for a doctor to say "exercise it will help" but I need to know HOW it helps, WHY it helps, WHAT is it helping.

Did you know that physical exercise builds and conditions your brain? Do you think of exercise as something you should do? What if you were inspired to exercise? You might be, after reading Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, a book which thoroughly explains the scientific connections between exercise and brain functions.

The "spark" in the title refers to the fact that exercise sparks physical changes that encourage brain cell connections, strengthening the cellular machinery of learning. For example, at a public school in Chicago, students schedule their most difficult subject immediately after physical education class, because of the beneficial effects of exercise on learning. Using scientific studies, statistics from public schools, and evidence from the author's psychiatric practice, Spark explains how exercise improves brain function in these areas: cognition, stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, women's health, and aging. This book can be a help for parents seeking remedies other than medication for any of these issues.

This is not a self-help book filled with fluff and feel-good platitudes. You can use the principles in this book to help your children be better prepared for learning with improved mood, focus, and motivation. Adult brains are also flexible, and parents, as we model lifelong learning, can also strengthen our brains with these same principles.

The most amazingly helpful book I have been exposed to. I even ran/walked today. That may not mean anything to you, but it does to my family. Dr. Ratey explained precisely the benefits I could receive by including aerobic exercise in my life. Having it in Audible was a real blessing. I listened to the entire book while refinishing my deck. The task would have been mind numbing, but, instead, it was mind exploding.

I've been exercising with weight training and high intensity interval training for a year now, very consistently. Have gained a lot of strength and stamina, haven't had the best results with reducing bodyfat. While exercising I feel great, then for a few hours afterwards, but I still have way more depression & anxiety that is not being improved.

I plan on getting a Garmin gps watch with a heartrate monitor to get in the range and start running, hoping it is the missing piece of the puzzle. Still a good book, better to check the library, I can't say it's a keeper.

This book is about exercise and the brain mostly, it completely ignores nutrition, just so ya know. Must have good fuel for the motor to run well.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that I am a doctoral candidate in health psychology who is studying cardiovascular exercise as a viable treatment for comorbid emotional and physical disorders...
that being said, I think that everyone should read this book.

For a long time, the general public has minimized the beneficial effects of exercise and has consistently cut physical activity from school curricula. As we become more and more inactive, and consume much more calorie-dense food, our bodies are demonstrating the effects of physiologic and psychological stress. Dr. Ratey's writing style is accessible to all, and breaks down current research into themes and results that are easily understood. It is my hope that writings such as these will revolutionize the American approach to health, which currently seems to rely on purely pharmaceutical interventions. The ideas suggested in this book really provide a strong basis for the effects of exercise that we had already suspected, and packages it in a manner that will be relevant to people in all walks of life.

I've talked about this book to more people while reading it than any I've read in a long time. I keep wanting to tell everyone I meet to read it, but then I think that most may not like all the technical neurobiology talk. I had some neuro classes long ago, so it isn't like reading a foreign language to me. Many might find themselves skimming over the neurotransmitter and axon and BDRF talk. But as long as you read enough to get the concepts in each chapter, you will be amazed! The first chapter will really make you wonder why your own kids school isn't following the Naperville example!

"Mens sana in corpore sano". Exercise is good for your body and for your mind. The book is a clear attempt to convince and motivate the reader to pursue a healthier life. The message is important and, as far as I know, true. Scientific research is starting to investigate the exercise-brain link and the biochemical mechanics that make it possible. So far so good.

The book follows a fairly simple patter: present some "story" (school kids, patients, athletes, ...), show how the exercise helped improve some relevant cognitive metrics, discuss the relevant scientific literature, and explain the underlying mechanisms (brain structures, biochemical "actors", ...). Repeat the pattern for a list of medical conditions (depression, ADHD, ...).

This structure gets repetitive very quickly. The same concepts are repeated over and over. The "stories" are not always very engaging (nothing compared the ones presented by Oliver Sacks, for example), the underlying biochemical structure is fairly complex and doesn't seem to add much to the "message" (it's a fascinating topic in itself, and I suppose it's nearly impossible to explain such a complex machine in a book for the general public, but I found it quite dry and, at times, confusing).

There's no bibliography in case you want to look up some specific examples in more details.

There are very few details on what kind of activities are the "best" (not enough scientific data yet), even if the last chapter tries to be more specific. There's almost no "development" in the story, no doubts, no opposite sides and compromises the be reached. The message is crystal clear from the first page to the last. There are no "ah!" moments, when things really come together and offer a new perspective that adds depth to the message.

The book is probably more interesting if you have been diagnosed with one of the pathologies he describes ...

I guess all I wanted to know could have been condensed in 10 pages, and I'll be looking forward to a better version with more "data" in 10 years.

Spark explains the burgeoning research into how exercise is one of the key ingredients missing in the modern Western lifestyle. The author uses numerous anecdotal, statistical and research based examples to make a compelling case for improving quality of life during any phase by simply moving.

Depressed? Exercise! Injured? Exercise! Obese? Exercise.

Spark is an important book because the idea that you might just be able to replace your Lexapro prescription with an hour of Dance Dance Revolution per day is hugely important. The idea that your brain chemistry and your ability to feel good is largely based on how much you move is hugely important.

I happened to find Spark about a year into a rejuvenation of my own health through exercise so let me add my own anecdotal evidence - exercise can and did allow me to get through depression, panic attacks and has helped me with what is probably a mild case of ADD or ADHD - conditions I once scoffed at as made up.

Spark is a convincing tome. If it cannot get you to stop popping pills and start exercising ever day, nothing will. I did not give Spark five stars because some of the explanations of how brain chemistry works are a little complex for the general reading public.

"Spark" is truly a remarkable book written by an inspired author. The connection between mind and body that this author is able to point out further reveals how the body functions in a holistic and not reductionistic way. The only revelation that the author fails to have, is that exercise and body movement should not be viewed as any sort of "treatment" or "therapy" for those who are depressed or anxious, etc. Everyone requires a certain amount of activity/exercise to fully express their health potential. Viewed through the holistic lens (which is the correct one), it is easy to see that exercise or activity is not a therapy, but rather a necessary ingredient for health similar to a genetically congruent diet or sufficient social interaction/engagement. Dr. Ratey is on the verge of seeing this reality, but ultimately falls short. However, it is still a superb book and I highly recommend it to all.

Run, don't walk, to get this book. This should be required reading for every Doctor and School Teacher. This book will help me preserve many years of cognitive ability that I was surely destined to lose before I read it and started following Dr. Ratey's recommendations.

I found this book easy to read, extremely informative and highly motivating. The few places where I seemed to get bogged down in the science were quickly replaced by huge chunks of information that really inspired me to do the simplest of things that will protect and improve my mental stability. The information in this book really is a "no brainer!"

Buy it. Read it. Do it and you will be far ahead of almost anyone else in strengthening and preserving your mental health for the rest of your life!

To die is inevitable. However, I think this, along with legitimate brain training like "The Brain Fitness Program Software" that I just bought ($395 from PositScience) is a huge part of the key to avoiding dementia and Alzheimer's so that my brain isn't useless before my body wears out.

I love this book. It's the how & why exercise helps change your brain. It talks about neurotransmitters, synapses, and all sort of chemicals, brain receptors, hormones, etc and how they connect in the brain in laymans terms. Of course exercise will help many people suffering from depression & anxiety to feel better....this book explains how that happens. It's easy for a doctor to say "exercise it will help" but I need to know HOW it helps, WHY it helps, WHAT is it helping.

Did you know that physical exercise builds and conditions your brain? Do you think of exercise as something you should do? What if you were inspired to exercise? You might be, after reading Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, a book which thoroughly explains the scientific connections between exercise and brain functions.

The "spark" in the title refers to the fact that exercise sparks physical changes that encourage brain cell connections, strengthening the cellular machinery of learning. For example, at a public school in Chicago, students schedule their most difficult subject immediately after physical education class, because of the beneficial effects of exercise on learning. Using scientific studies, statistics from public schools, and evidence from the author's psychiatric practice, Spark explains how exercise improves brain function in these areas: cognition, stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, women's health, and aging. This book can be a help for parents seeking remedies other than medication for any of these issues.

This is not a self-help book filled with fluff and feel-good platitudes. You can use the principles in this book to help your children be better prepared for learning with improved mood, focus, and motivation. Adult brains are also flexible, and parents, as we model lifelong learning, can also strengthen our brains with these same principles.

The most amazingly helpful book I have been exposed to. I even ran/walked today. That may not mean anything to you, but it does to my family. Dr. Ratey explained precisely the benefits I could receive by including aerobic exercise in my life. Having it in Audible was a real blessing. I listened to the entire book while refinishing my deck. The task would have been mind numbing, but, instead, it was mind exploding.

I've been exercising with weight training and high intensity interval training for a year now, very consistently. Have gained a lot of strength and stamina, haven't had the best results with reducing bodyfat. While exercising I feel great, then for a few hours afterwards, but I still have way more depression & anxiety that is not being improved.

I plan on getting a Garmin gps watch with a heartrate monitor to get in the range and start running, hoping it is the missing piece of the puzzle. Still a good book, better to check the library, I can't say it's a keeper.

This book is about exercise and the brain mostly, it completely ignores nutrition, just so ya know. Must have good fuel for the motor to run well.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that I am a doctoral candidate in health psychology who is studying cardiovascular exercise as a viable treatment for comorbid emotional and physical disorders...
that being said, I think that everyone should read this book.

For a long time, the general public has minimized the beneficial effects of exercise and has consistently cut physical activity from school curricula. As we become more and more inactive, and consume much more calorie-dense food, our bodies are demonstrating the effects of physiologic and psychological stress. Dr. Ratey's writing style is accessible to all, and breaks down current research into themes and results that are easily understood. It is my hope that writings such as these will revolutionize the American approach to health, which currently seems to rely on purely pharmaceutical interventions. The ideas suggested in this book really provide a strong basis for the effects of exercise that we had already suspected, and packages it in a manner that will be relevant to people in all walks of life.

I've talked about this book to more people while reading it than any I've read in a long time. I keep wanting to tell everyone I meet to read it, but then I think that most may not like all the technical neurobiology talk. I had some neuro classes long ago, so it isn't like reading a foreign language to me. Many might find themselves skimming over the neurotransmitter and axon and BDRF talk. But as long as you read enough to get the concepts in each chapter, you will be amazed! The first chapter will really make you wonder why your own kids school isn't following the Naperville example!

This book does a terrific job at explaining why physical exercise is key across the lifespan: Every educator and parent should read it. The author shows how physical exercise cues the brain to learning and affects mood, anxiety and attention skills. The science is there and easy to understand. However cognitive development and performance depend on several key elements. Physical exercise is one, the need for mental stimulation of the appropriate kind is another, along with stress management, a balanced diet, etc. Readers interested in a more comprehensive perspective on brain fitness based on the latest brain science could also take a look at the recent The Sharp Brains Guide to Brain Fitness: 18 Interviews with Scientists, Practical Advice, and Product Reviews, to Keep Your Brain Sharp.

It is often said that all writing is, in some way, autobiographical. Though this observation most commonly covers fictional works, it seems to apply to many forms of non-fiction as well.

John Ratey is a practicing psychiatrist, a Harvard professor in the same field, a master explicator, and an exercise enthusiast and evangelist with, as he describes it, a fairly scattered personal history. Taken altogether, then, an ADHD/MD, fitness-buff, sort of fellow.

Thus, it is engagingly appropriate that Spark is very much a hybrid sort of book: part meta-study, part self-help, and part polemic. (The latter sub-genre is. interestingly, synchronistic: As I was reading Spark, the news contained stories of many on the political right taking issue with First Lady Michelle Obama for her campaign to improve the nation's eating and exercise habits. Just think, one said, how many more pedestrian casualties we would have more people walked all the time.) This neither fish-nor-fowl style of writing is hard to pull off, but Ratey and co-author Eric Hagerman make it work.This is surely due, in large part, to Dr. Ratey's obvious passion for all three framings ("I want nothing less than to get you hooked"), along with Hagerman's stylistic acumen. (I do have a couple of editorial cavils, however. Well-chosen metaphors can be charming, and even enlightening. But one must be careful. Calling osteoporosis a "heartbreaking illness" is excruciatingly ill-advised, and saying that dementia "is not unlike when a fuse gets blown in a home's circuit breaker" is simply oxymoronic. Oh, well; it's hard for even the best editors to catch everything.)

Spark's central thesis is that humans have evolved, as "endurance predators", to keep active, so it should be no surprise that movement, of the type needed for ancestral survival, is required for the proper functioning of our bodies, but, emphatically, our brains as well. Indeed, as far as complex chemistry, structure, and function are concerned, bodies and brains are two aspects of the same package. Why else, Ratey asks, would we need brains in the first place, except to move? Plants don't need brains; that is because they are quite content being in one sport.

Through chapters dealing with Learning, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Attentional Deficit, Addiction, Hormonal (particularly OB/GYN) Changes, and--my favorite--Aging, the formula remains the same: Describe the concept or "disorder" from a clinical point of view; discuss current theories of its etiology or development; survey established treatment (mostly pharmaceutic) protocols; and then offer exercise (usually some form of aerobic regimen, along with a nod to various relaxation and complex movement techniques) as a low-risk,high-value alternative, or, at least, adjunct.

(To his credit, Ratey has no wish to give up on either drugs or talk therapy. Both have their places. But, according to Spark, we shouldn't rely on them exclusively when exercise is such a readily available (and even fun) holistic solution. In this regard, Jungian synchronicity rears its head once again, though I think Jung would not, in this case, have been amused. As I was writing this review, an article appeared in the New York Times about how many psychiatrists are giving up on talk therapy, mainly because they can get more bang for the buck, not to mention more bucks overall, by emulating other medical service providers. That is, in essence: see patients briefly and prescribe a lot of pills. The changes seem to make most people satisfied, including patients and, of course, insurance companies. Howbeit, this "fast medicine" approach does make me think of parallels with the fast food industry, which certainly "satisfies" customers with a lot of calories per dollar spent. Yet, somehow, the comprehensive health of the general population appears not to be improving.)

For each chapter's discussion, Ratey backs up his claim, both theoretically and empirically, referring to (if, sadly, not actually referencing) the latest research in neurophysiology and related fields. Along the way, we are regaled with glimpses into the investigational lives of lab superstars such as Elizabeth Gould, Carl Cotman, Eric Kandel, and many others, not to mention the important work of countless anonymous, long-suffering rodentine contributors. (Rats have come a long way, we might observe, since the days for B. F. Skinner and his students.) This, however, does point up a major issue in popularizing science: Mass media accounts thrive on anecdotes and personal testimony, which scientists, in writing for other scientists, anathematize, except, perhaps, at the brainstorming, pre-hypothesis phase of dialogue.

Nevertheless, for their educational and proselytizing purposes, Ratey and Hagerman have done a remarkable job. At least, they have inspired me to redouble my own efforts to delay or ameliorate the ravages of aging. And, just perhaps, Spark may also ignite new and exciting lines of research.

In this groudbreaking book, Harvard psychiatrist, John J. Ratey, MD, takes us on a fascinating exploration of the impact of exercise on the brain. Most people just think exercise is good for overall health. But what's extraordinary is that exercise is the best thing you can do for your brain, not just your body. Exercise reduces your risk for Alzheimer's by 50%. It produces the protein BDNF, which is like Miracle-Gro for your brain. Exercise can mitigate the symptoms of depression better than drugs like Zoloft. Exercise can help your productivity at work. I could go on and on. After reading the book, you will have 100 reasons why you need to do aerobic exercise (for your brain) every single day.

SPARK is a terrific compliment to John Medina's new book, BRAIN RULES (full disclosure: I'm the publisher of the book). One of the 12 Brain Rules is "exercise boosts brain power." It's impossible to read these books without wanting to get up and move. Unforunately, our workplaces and schools keep us in cubicles or desks for 8 hours a day. I hope these books can do something about this problem. Sitting goes against everything we are built to do.

Spark is a luminous and visionary book. John Ratey and Eric Hagerman have done a terrific job of bringing the neuroscience of exercise and the brain to the mainstream in an intelligent, inspiring and practical book.

Once I started reading Spark, I couldn't put it down. The writing is smart, effortless and heartfelt. John Ratey is on a crusade to spread the message that exercise can transform people's lives from the inside out--and he presents this case convincingly. His enthusiasm is contagious. Spark will definitely persuade and motivate readers from all walks of life to make exercise something that they seek most days of the week.

Spark is packed with tons of really valuable scientific information and case studies, but it is never a heavy read. Ratey mixes in personal anecdotes, other people's experiences and practical advice to bring the pages to life. He also manages to maintain a friendly and down-to-earth voice even when discussing potentially mind-numbingly dry neuro-science. His conversational, upbeat tone keeps the eyes from glazing over and the pages turning...The science in this book is thorough and cutting-edge without ever being stodgy or overly complicated.

Huge thanks to John Ratey and Eric Hagerman for this timely, accessible and inspiring contribution to the field of Exercise and the Brain. Reading Spark will improve your life. I highly recommend this book.

Christopher Bergland

Finally, someone attempts to describe what's going on in the brain that creates mental/emotional difficulties, and then describes how movement can help remedy these problems. I come from a family of depressive, overanxious, Alzheimer's-prone people with ischemic disease. The first message I picked up is, "It's not your fault. It's the way your brain works (or doesn't work) that causes the depression and anxiety." The second message I got was that it's never too late to start exercising to alleviate or delay these issues. I read the book in a day, started walking the next morning and have followed through every morning since. I have to say, I feel sharper, my blood pressure has gone down and I've even dropped a little weight.

I don't rate this book 5 stars lightly. Out of the 20 or so books I've read in the last year, this one was top 3, and I tend to read very high quality books. Honestly, "Spark" should be required reading for everyone. Great book, great info, helpful to all. I can't recommend it enough.

As someone who works from home, I got this book shortly after my 30th birthday came and went, and I was still moving slowly on my resolution to exercise more. To that end, this book was the kick in the backside - literally - that I needed to get up and moving more.

I'm glad I bought this instead of buying a typical how-to exercise book with a shirtless guy on the cover - rather than filling your head with inane tricep curls and painful ab crunchers, it focuses on keeping things simple, just getting up and moving. And it explains the science behind it all: As a pretty analytical person I need to know HOW things happen - how does a plane get up off the ground, how does the stock market work, and now, how my brain and body are interconnected. This book makes me interested because it explains the how and why, rather than just preaching and shouting.

But, though there's hard science at every turn here, the writing is extremely coherent and understandable to a non-physics-major like me. The tone is accessible and encouraging, while being substantial and authoritative.

Before you go out and get an armful of fitness or exercise books, this one is required reading, because it lays down the set of fundamentals and facts that will inspire you to get moving. Highly recommended!

This book is fabulous, and I loved learning all the ways in which exercise can enhance health (particularly brain function) in both normal and clinical populations. However, it loses a star for not doing a better job of citing its sources. I would have loved to look up some of the studies Ratey mentions, but he doesn't provide citations. Nonetheless, this book is definitely worth reading!

I did really like the book and I think it is a great concept. Like a lot of things these days you can find the same info from the same author on youtube. If you like to read I say go for it, if not just find the Ted talks on youtube.

The research perspective is both valuable and easy to follow for the layperson in Dr. Ratey's work. I've already recommended it to at least 10 clients (I'm a martial art teacher of 5 different styles and avid fitness enthusiast) and countless family members as well as purchased it for 3 friends. Thank you for speaking at the Spelman Wellness Revolution Dr. Ratey where I was first exposed to your work...and best of luck with your next work "Go Wild" I've already ordered it :)

I read about half the book and couldn't take it anymore. I get it, exercise is good for the brain. Good to know. I didn't find this book hard to read but it was really dull. There's way too much focus on scientific details, it is way too repetitive, and it wasn't very engaging overall. The introduction was interesting but again much too long and repetitive. It seems like a lot of the positive reviews were from people who were either in this or a related field, or they were required to read it for a class in this field of study. This seems like a really long journal article.

Everytime I feel like I'm getting lazy, I listen to this audiobook and it makes me get my butt off the couch. There are just too many benefits to exercise, and John J. Ratey perfectly explains this.

Thank you John, this has made a significant impact on my life. I'm listening to the audiobook right now, for the 5th time :)

Spark! An amazing book, hands down...why? Many books explain how exercise helps with wt. control, physical benefits of getting in shape, and other fountain of youth aspects . These are great reasons to exercise, but Spark hits on an entire different niche, the mental benefits and effects on the brain. Sometimes just knowing how and why exercise helps with bad moods, depression and anxiety is all the push people need to get moving. I have read a few negative responses, but hey, guess you can't please everyone...right. I 100 percent enjoyed and found the book to be fascinating and helpful with my own bouts of depression. Let's make a deal to all those who have something negative to say regarding Spark...before making a comment, go for a run and then write how you feel and we'll go frome there.....health in motion

Anyone interested in being able to use their brain as long as possible into old age should read this one! I think young adults would also benefit reading this book to realize what it takes to keep their brain sharp!

The book documents very well the highly favorable impact of regular exercise on mental health. The fact that the author is a practicing psychiatrist lends credibility to the overall conclusion that exercise is good for you mentally as well as figuratively. Not being a scientist, I do not fully understand the author's quite technical explanations of how exercise changes the biology of the brain to make a person better mentally. Nevertheless, he is strongly convincing.

Anyone interest in the health benefits of exercise and the health risks of not exercising ought to read this book.

If you are already regularly active, the book will motivate you to be more so. If not, it should give you incentive to get off the couch.

I bought this book since the title sounded interesting. However, after reading the first three chapters I found it to bequite technical, full of jargons and missing the point. There are some interesting snippets but on the overall its quite disappointing.

One of the mistake of the west has been the separation of body and mind, mind vs body. In this book,the authors explain and stress the importance of exercising on the brain by showing/detailing the numerous cases they dealt with. I was amaze by seeing the result of exercising against depression, Alzheimer and other mental diseases. After reading this book, I now understand the role of chemicals like serotonin,endorphin, morphine and others on the body and how they occur naturally in the body. Long read but well worth,the more you know...

This book has a fascinating chapter about anxiety. Dr. Ratey says that a peptide secreted by the heart muscle when we exercise regulates stress and anxiety (atrial natriuretic peptide, p. 102). Who knew a heart valve needs to get pumping for us to feel calm, cool, and collected?

Dr. Ratey's chapter on addiction has tons of fascinating research on how exercise produces chemicals which help us experience pleasure in life's simple things, reducing urges to seek pleasure in self-destructive ways.

I recommend this book for anyone who has kids - especially the chapters on learning and ADHD. It is so interesting to learn how our bodies can improve our brain :-)

Dr. John Ratey has created an invaluable and timely work that helps shed light on what exercise can do to enhance the quality and longevity of our lives. Spark is a tremendous resource for clinicians and non clinicians alike. Whether you are an olympic athlete or life long couch potato this book is definitely for you!

Dr. Ratey provides us with the latest clinical information and scientific research being done worldwide to better understand the impact of exercise on our bodies and minds. He shares personal experiences and patient accounts which make this book not just informative but touching, funny and relatable as well.

As a youngster who spent most of the time in the nurses office during gym class, I want to thank Dr. Ratey for writing this book and helping me learn about and appreciate my body and what I can do on a daily basis to try and reach my full potential.

Thanks so much, its a must read!!!
Ali L.
Boston, MA

We all know exercise is good for you, but all too often we put that knowledge in the back of our minds and forget it. Dr. Ratey makes a very compelling argument in "Spark" why exercise is so important in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, etc. and gives you the scientific studies to back it up. It's an entertaining, yet informative narrative full of case studies of his actual patients. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an alternative to our pill-popping culture.

we need yet another reason to exercise... As the Director of Lifelong Fitness Alliance, an organization that has been advocating physical activity for 29 years, I'm well aware of the benefits of exercise. Yet this inspirational book, written in a lively style and loaded with entertaining and provocative case studies, scientific evidence and practical information, not only provides another great reason to incorporate physical activity into your life. It also provides an individualized formula to make your exercise routine have an impact on your brain, improving function and alleviating the negative effects of depression, anxiety, stress and hormonal fluctuation among others. I will be purchasing this book for both my college-aged children, and I would recommend it to anyone who has a reason to sharpen their mental capacity.

While this review is as enthusiastically positive as the previous ones, it comes from a different perspective. My view is based on years of consulting with top leaders of major organizations about their own performance and that of their company. Too bad that SPARK wasn't available sooner. Now we realize that a physical fitness program, especially with the kinds of experiences that Dr. Ratey describes, is an essential part of the career development plan of any would be top manager. Further, Dr.Ratey's suggestions for dealing with high pressure situations are especially helpful for those who already are in positions of heavy responsibility. And the scientific and clinical content are fascinating to any one.

I really liked this book because it helped me to see the science between the brain and exercise. Just another great reason to keep up your heart rate. I enjoyed this book a lot and look forward to any further books by Mr. Ratey.

This should be a must read for all school teachers, administrators, medical workers (essentially anyone who can benefit mass numbers of people, particularly the youth!)

Anyone seeking to improve their brain and body health would really enjoy this book!

First of all, I'll say that I've actually gotten a lot of value out of this book. The book certainly makes a great case for the importance of exercise. I am, of course, well aware of the importance of exercise. But this book takes it to a whole next level.

BUT. Here is the big BUT: I've found it simply dangerous the extent to which this author engages in medicalization of life experiences. It is dangerous and not helping people.

Here is an example of what I am talking about. The book gives a case study of some guy who was a client/patient of the author. Some young guy who was an entrepreneur. His business failed and he lost money. So this guy was dealing with his failed business endeavor. And resulting financial trouble. On top of that, he had marriage problems, ended up cheating on his wife, his wife left him, he was not happy about that and wanted to get his wife back. So that was the guy's life situation. So he came to the author for help. What did the author do? The author stamped him with a diagnosis of Depression and ADHD. Even though the guy said that he did not want any medication, the author pretty much forced the guy to get on one medication after another, for depression and ADD - paid by insurance, no doubt. But the guy was having terrible side effects. So eventually, after the failed medications and side effects, the author told the guy to exercise. The guy started exercising and his depression went "in remission."

Seriously?

And the entire book is filled with such examples.

It is sad that people go to such "professionals" for help with their life situations. Had this guy gone to a life coach, he would have gotten help with his marriage problems, his business, dealing with emotions etc. There are lots of great coaches who can provide expert help with marriage challenges, businesses, emotions, etc. But of course, insurance wouldn't pay for that. So instead people end up going to psychiatrists and psychologists, get stamped with medical diagnoses, get medicated. So many of these people end up spending years and years still stuck with the same problems and still seeing these "doctors." And getting addicted to these medications.

I had the good fortune to hear Dr. John Ratey lecture on his new book Spark. I got a copy right away. I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and know the benefits of exercize; now we have some solid proof. Us health providers have to inspire people to move. As far as I'm concerned activity is the best way to mental health. Anyway John Ratey has inspired me and I thank him for this valid research and commitment to exercize as a way to good health. Any t-shirts available yet?...I dig that running stick figure.

Claudine Grange, APRN
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Arundel, Maine

Finally, a solution to the culture-wide epidemic of stress and learning problems that is 100% healthy, involves no medication and is completely free and accessible to everyone.

So many of us, whether parent or professional, look with alarm at the current state of our nation's youth in regard to rising obesity, decreased emphasis on outdoor play, and over-use of "screen time" on computers, video games and television. As a clinician who has worked with children for 35 years, I am concerned about the marked increased in the frequency of learning problems, attention deficits, anxiety, depression, lagging social thinking skills, and explosive behaviors.

Dr. Ratey provides a sound explanation of how unhealthy diet and
lack of movement impairs memory and learning. He goes on to
show how exercise improves attention, motivation, mood, and memory while decreasing anxiety, impulsivity and distractibility. Dr. Ratey gives us hope for a future with less dependence on medicating our children and more emphasis on supporting today's youth with the "food" they need to grow into healthier, more balanced young adults. SPARK is a must read for all!

Barbara Baum Freethy, M.Ed.
Touchstone Psychotherapy Assc.
Portland, Maine

I really enjoyed this book! Dr. Ratey blends the science, the story, and the topics so well, making it a compelling and interesting read. As a therapist, I've used his hard-core research to motivate clients as well as family members, and it's helping!

If you want to feel better and sleep better, read this book, and follow its recommendations.

If you have kids or are an educator, you will be very interested in how much the much maligned PE class can influence the academic performance of an entire school district.

This book reads like a boring science textbook. I understand and accept the positive benefits of exercise but I don't need to know how the enzymes, etc in the brain work that prove the benefits of exercise. I get it. Don't waste your money.

SPARK is a must read book! Dr. Ratey does an amazing job of relating case study after case study in such an interesting and easy manner. This is so important for people of all ages to read to understand the implications exercise has on everything from ADHD to Alzheimer's Disease! As a personal trainer and advocate for movement in the classroom, I feel this book hits it right on the mark, without being pushy.

After reading this book at the request of my coach Caroline Adams Miller, I felt compelled to reinvent myself into someone who loves to exercise. I now rarely miss a workout and am a much happier person.

Spark really shifted the way I think about exercise and sport. Recently there was a article from our local school on how the kids are participating in a running club on Tuesday Mornings and a "Brains, Body, Confidence, program in the afternoon and immediately thought of the principles covered in Spark [....]

has anyone else seen it applied in schools?

Whatever your problem is, exercise will very likely solve it. Whatever your dream is -- living longer, more energy, better mood, and so on -- exercise will make it come true. There. Now you've read the book.

Well, you haven't quite read it... You will have missed hundreds of pages of dull and mostly irrelevant discussions of brain anatomy, neurotransmitters, and stress physiology. If you sometimes read about science, mood, stress, and so on, you've seen it all before.

I gave this book two stars instead of one. I considered one. If you are thinking about exercising more, it's probably a good idea. This book might inspire you to get off the sofa and head to the gym. It deserves a little credit for that.

The truth is, exercise might improve your mood, increase your intelligence, improve your educational success, cure your ADHD, or solve your addiction problem... Or, it might not. There's one way to find out, which is to try it. Exercise a lot, and stick with the program long enough to find out. Good luck with it.

Recent research does seem to indicate that exercise can improve or cure depression, in some cases, and maybe help solve other problems, too. Don't get too excited, though. Most of this research consists of small studies, rat studies, test tube studies and poorly controlled studies. The "revolution" in exercise research has not yet occurred.

The authors have never seen an exercise study they didn't like. They are enthusiasts and true believers. Drop a nickel in the slot -- what comes out? Big surprise! Exercise! Are there contrary studies? Do some people fail to benefit from exercise, and, if so, why? Are some methods more effective than exercise? Are some exercise studies so flawed that they should be disregarded? You'll never find out from reading this book.

Spark is a hodgepodge of anecdotes, case studies from the author's clinical experience, summaries of scientific studies, commentary from the author and useless physiology lessons that almost every reader will skim or skip. It has no literary coherence, no theoretical or scientific coherence.

Desperate to avoid obesity and diabetes, wishing to live longer, hoping to be more attractive, many people are exercising regularly. That's probably wise. Most people aren't exercising at all. It's probably better to exercise. That's about all you're going to learn from this book

As a physical educator I have been looking for 30 years for a book like this to validate my profession. Dr. Ratey's book justifies everything done in a quality PE class. Best of all he explains the effects of exercise on the brain in an easy to understand manner. This book should become the bible for all physical educators. All PE teachers should purchase this book and give it to their administrators and school board members.

This book proves what we always felt about the benefits of exercise with research. It also, gives some tips on how to improve your exercise routine.
It does use a lot of medical jargon, which to the layman might not stick, so after borrowing a friends copy I got my own to have for reference.

If "Spark" were intended for a scientific audience, it would be lacking.
But it is intended for an intelligent lay audience, and so it is appropriate that it is not laden down with jargon & scrupulously cited footnotes.

This is pretty common sense book. It is very wordy in its explanation of simple concepts. If you do not have a lifestyle of exercise and fitness this book may be helpful. If you do have a life which includes a daily regimen of exercise then this book is a waste of time as you will not gain any new knowledge. You already know and experience what this book elaborates on. I read this book for a class and was constantly finding myself saying, pardon my French, "No s**t Sherlock." I wish there would have been a better choice in the required text that was worth the effort.

Amazing book! I would recommend it for anyone who has ever noticed that they feel better when exercising, but struggled to make it a habit. This is a book that will make the evidence so clear that you'll come to see exercise as the medicine you can't live without.

The author definitely oversells his argument, which in itself is fairly sound.

One thing in particular I picked up on is his use of Naperville School Discrict 203 as a case study for how excersise improves learning. It is true that the students there are excellent and do very well in science and math, but he doesn't look at other contributing factors such as ethnic demographics. There are a large number of children from immigrant families who are very educated - India, China, etc. Education is the #1 priority for these people. I come from a similar family, although European, and can see that people who don't come from that background don't get it - at all. Excersise didn't make me educated, my parents and my hard work made me educated!

This book is a wonderful combination of basic information that anyone could use and some technical information that can be useful for folks who are interested in the correct names for various chemicals and hormones produced by the body in response to exercise and other stressors.

Having ready 2 previous books by John : The users guide to brain and Driven
by distraction i was looking forward to reading SPARK. I was especially
interested in learning how John was going to tie exercise with the brain
functioning since i am a strong supporter of exercise and have experienced
its benefits. I knew before reading SPARK that exercise in some way does
make you feel better. But SPARK puts it in perspective from a scientific
point of view. The chapters on Stress and depression particularly caught my
attention since most of us struggle with these 2 issues at some point in
life and again most of us turn to popping a pill to deal with it. If its as
simple as getting on a treadmill or a bike and working out for 30-45
minutes without any side effects, then it seems only logical to do it. The
BDNF (Miracle-gro as John calls it) was a very interesting read for me. I
did had to go back and re-read certain topics as was it too much medical
terms to comprehend in one read. But once i got it, it became permanent and
that's the beauty of this book.
Its simple yet powerful in its message. The simplicity comes from the fact
that "you goto workout ". The power comes from the facts / data that proves
"why you goto workout". Once the reader ties the two together, the message
is very clear and hopefully will remain for a lifetime with the reader.
Today if you look around there is a lot of awareness among people about the
ill-effects of obesity. There are TV programs, advertisements, books about
why exercising is good for you and how it will help you be more fit. But
this is the only books that tells you that exercise will also make your
brain fit along with your body. The brain-body connection is important and
one cannot be ignored over the other.

I listened to the audio book. Here's my summary:

1) The author seems to offer convincing evidence that the chemistry of the brain functions in such a way that exercise will make you smarter and healthier.

2) I say "seems" in #1 above because the details of the argument helped put me to sleep many times :)

This book has alot of technical language but is very good at stressing why excersise is so important for our bodies and mind. It's a good read and school phys ed teachers could learn a tremendous amount to help their students.

"Spark" consists of hundreds of pages of an overview of brain chemistry, anecdotal accounts of how individuals improved their lives through exercise, and results from pertinent experiments - all aimed at convincing readers that most anything is possible if they exercise more.

The only problem is that science is not that clear, especially science involving educational achievement. This is because potential factors influencing education achievement (eg. exercise) are normally confounded with genetic and home environment factors. As a result, drawing conclusions in this area usually requires numerous replications and large numbers of participants.

The uniformity of results supporting Ratey's thesis makes one suspect that he cherry-picked that data available, making the entire book suspect.

Personally, I'd guess that exercise does help learning - it's just that the book doesn't provide a credible case. And I was impressed with the story of several P.E. teachers who had thoughtfully improved the aerobic condition of their students, and how heart monitors allowed them to identify those making a good effort (though their comparative results may not show it).

I just started reading this book that I ordered for a class this fall and they didn't use it. Discovered that there are 33 pages missing - it jumps from page 22 to page 55 which is a totally different chapter. I'd love to get a replacement book that has all the pages, but with the fall semester changes I didn't read this within the 30 day window for returns/exchanges.

Not very happy about having no recourse to a book with a bad printing job. :-(

The first chapter was exciting but it was downhill from there. I agree with the reviewer who said it would make a good magazine article. Exercise is good for the brain - said over and over - became less and less interesting as the book went on.

Started out a bit dull. I felt like I was being talked down to (I had it on audio). When I got to the animal research part, I was appalled, though not surprised, at the callousness and indifference to suffering. Raising cats with one eye sewn shut to see if inactivity affects the brain? (Uh, duh!) And you know what happens to those long suffering cats at the end of the research...

Sick.

Facts that could easily be checked via google are incorrect, for instance, New Trier High School is not in Evanston as the author states. He also botches most of the details of N.T.'s physical education program. It's hard to accept his big theories, when he has the small details wrong. He also states that a "radiation study" wasn't published because the results weren't as expected. Huh? Research is rejected by peer-reviewed journals because the study is poorly constructed or flawed, but not because of new or different results. That's what scientists and publications are looking for!

The basic premise has allure -- exercise and all will be better -- but the execution and writing need polishing.

Let me save you quite a bit of time and rewrite this entire book in one sentence for you. "Studies show that exercise will cure what ails you!" Read that sentence over and over and over and over again for 300 pages, and you will have gotten everything you will get out of this book.

In any case, the author seriously oversells his case. He sounds like a used car salesman desperate to make a sale at the end of a slow month. He'd be a lot more likely to close the deal if he toned down the superlatives about how great the stereo is and the new paint job and told me how to make the car actually run. I happen to know first-hand that exercise can indeed improve your life, but there's no reason it should take anyone 300 pages to make that point.

Full disclosure I did not finish reading the book as I got bored with it and found it repetitive. I ended up giving it to a friend who said he thoroughly enjoyed reading all of it. Overall I just could not handle re-reading the same info written in a different way. Bottom line is that physical exercise is good for your brain/mind development. If you don't mind reading that statement written a couple hundred different ways then you may really like this book.

I listened to the Audible version of this title and, although fascinating, it could have been summed up by saying that exercise can help with memory, learning, stress reduction and happiness, attention-deficit, and more. Just 30 minutes of exercise in the morning will, essentially, put your mind into the paleo survival-by-learning mindset and begin making connections in your brain that strengthen and grow, thus improving...everything, including your physical wellness.

This made sense to me because, as a young student, I tended to be "jittery", as my teachers and other adults used to call it. When reading alone, I would bounce my knees under my desk, or tap my fingers, or even hum a song while reading and learning. I tended to learn and remember so much better when I did these things, and the opposite was true whenever a teacher or other adult would tell me to "be still", "stop fidgeting", "be quiet", etc. Growing up, and to this very day, I catch myself being "jittery" whenever I am trying to concentrate, or read, or learn, and even when I want to write something important. It works for me, and, thanks to this book, I understand why. Being "jittery" was like exercise, somewhat. Bouncing my knees under the desk was akin to running.

I listen to a lot of Audible nonfiction audiobooks while doing physical activities and my retention seems to be better when I do. When I read a book on one of my Kindle eReaders or a physical book, holding it in my hands, I cannot read while fidgeting (the text is difficult to read while the page is moving), but I still hum a song or tap my fingers on the back of the book or Kindle slightly, usually to the beat of music.

The best time for learning, at least for me, is when I am on the treadmill or exercycle or glider machine. I have a place in front of me to hold my (physical) book or Kindle, as well as my phone. I listen to the Audible book being read to me as I am following along in the book or Kindle.