A major [1]new review by the Cochrane collaboration -- an independent network of researchers -- evaluated 73 randomized controlled trials involving about 5,000 people with depression and found that exercise [2]matched the effectiveness of both pharmacological treatments and psychological therapies.

The biological mechanisms overlap considerably with antidepressants. "Exercise can help improve neurotransmitter function, like serotonin as well as dopamine and endorphins," said Dr. Stephen Mateka, medical director of psychiatry at Inspira Health. Dr. Nicholas Fabiano of the University of Ottawa added that exercise triggers the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which he calls "Miracle-Gro for the brain."

Exercise has been adopted as a first-line treatment in depression guidelines globally, though Fabiano noted it remains underutilized. The meta-analysis found that combining aerobic exercise and resistance training appeared more effective than aerobic exercise alone, and that 13 to 36 workouts led to improvements in depressive symptoms. Light to moderate exercise proved as beneficial as vigorous workouts, at least initially.



[1] https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004366.pub7/full?__cf_chl_tk=wsEY5wr6h6zoJNVYzTbOznlMMsBoPJVttqYC_FVzpyM-1768235749-1.0.1.1-h9fV5MOU._YczfCTrxhM2KAwrnGAnvc8YsD28qUM2Ec

[2] https://www.npr.org/2026/01/12/nx-s1-5667599/exercise-is-as-effective-as-medication-in-treating-depression-study-finds