According to one health psychologist, the discovery of ‘hope molecules’ is considered the ‘most exciting find of the last decade’.
These molecules are a variety of chemicals that your body can release under certain conditions. They have been labeled ‘hope molecules’, which sounds like something out of Inside Out, and it’s pretty exciting.
Kelly McGonigal, PhD, who is a health psychologist, lecturer, and author, described the ‘hope molecule’ concept to Rich Roll on his podcast.
McGonigal mentioned that she encountered the term in a scientific paper and wondered why it’s not more commonly used. She explained that ‘hope molecules’ refer to a group of small proteins known as myokines.
She further elaborated that our muscles function like an endocrine organ and when we engage them through any type of movement, they release chemicals such as myokines into the bloodstream.
These chemicals are beneficial for various systems within the body, including ‘heart health’ and ‘immune function’, and some can even ‘kill cancer cells’. However, the proteins released by our muscles also have significant effects on the brain.
McGonigal added: “So you go for a walk, or a run or you lift weights and your muscles contract and they excrete these proteins into your blood stream, they travel to your brain and they cross the blood-brain barrier.
“And in your brain they can act as an anti-depressant […] they can make your brain more resilient to stress, they can increase motivation, they help you learn from experience.”
If you’re wondering whether there’s an alternative way to obtain these chemicals, McGonigal has some news: “And the only way you get these chemicals is by using your muscles. This is part of how we become our best selves, we have to use our muscles.”
In other words, physical activity like running genuinely boosts happiness, as scientifically proven.
The term ‘hope molecules’ was chosen for myokines not just because it suits them perfectly, but for a specific reason.
McGonigal explained: “Scientists called them ‘hope molecules’ because in this one study they found exercise could protect rodents from experiencing depression and PTSD if you severely traumatize them so the idea that these molecules are giving you hope even in difficult times.”
She advocates for framing movement as if you’re giving yourself an ‘intravenous dose of hope’.
McGonigal concluded: “It’s something you can choose to do to really powerfully influence your mental health and resilience and every time you move you’re doing that.”