Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain
by John Ratey
Mentioned once across 1 show · first heard Feb 2026 on Huberman Lab.
The general take
Andrew Huberman credits Spark as an influential early work that introduced him to the connection between movement and brain plasticity, specifically highlighting John Ratey's discussion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and exercise's role in neuroplasticity. Huberman frames it as groundbreaking for its time in explaining why movement matters for brain health. Based on this single reference, Huberman clearly respects the book's contribution to his understanding of exercise neuroscience.
About
A groundbreaking and fascinating investigation into the transformative effects of exercise on the brain, from the bestselling author and renowned psychiatrist John J. Ratey, MD. Did you know you can beat stress, lift your mood, fight memory loss, sharpen your intellect, and function better than ever simply by elevating your heart rate and breaking a sweat? The evidence is incontrovertible: Aerobic exercise physically remodels our brains for peak performance. In Spark , John J. Ratey, M.D., embarks upon a fascinating and entertaining journey through the mind-body connection, presenting startling research to prove that exercise is truly our best defense against everything from depression to ADD to addiction to aggression to menopause to Alzheimer's.
Who said what
Andrew Huberman👍 Recommends
…discussing how movement and exercise drive brain plasticity and health
“There's this idea that was, at least to me, first put forth in a book called Spark. Do you know John Rady's book? It came out some years ago. He's a physician, I believe, trained at Harvard Med. And he talked about the essential requirements for movement in brain plasticity. This was early days of understanding neuroplasticity, but he talked about brain derogative nootrophic factor.”
Huberman Lab — Restore Youthfulness & Vitality to the Aging Brain & Body | Dr. Tony Wyss-Corayat 51:51
Listener reviews
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