When Science Finds a Way

Working it out: exercise, the brain, and mental health

When Science Finds a Way

Show Notes

**** We want to hear from you! Our podcast is shaped by the people who listen to it. Please tell us a bit about your experience by filling out our short listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SX6X8X3 **** Exercise is more than just fitness – it can be a powerful tool for mental health. But what actually occurs in the brain during a workout, and how can it help in treating mental health issues? Alisha meets Dr Jonathan Roiser and his team of researchers to uncover insights from a groundbreaking pilot study exploring brain activity during exercise, including how it could transform the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like depression. When Science Finds a Way is brought to you by Wellcome, an independent global foundation that supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone. For more information and podcast transcripts visit wellcome.org/podcast

More from When Science Finds a Way

Oct 19, 2026

When we say we trust science, what are we actually trusting it to do? And who gets a say in where it goes next?

Oct 12, 2026

How much do people around the world trust in science? How has that trust changed since 2018?

Jun 3, 2026

We may think of carbon dioxide as the main culprit in climate change, but could tackling "super pollutants" provide an emergency brake for global warming?

May 27, 2026

Tuberculosis has been with us so long that traces appear in mummies. But today, the challenge is different: how do we respond to TB that's resistant to modern drugs?

May 20, 2026

We know how extreme heat impacts us physically, but science is still uncovering its effects on mental health.

See all episodes →