David PerlmutterPresident,, Perlmutter Health Center · Board-Certified Neurologist | Functional Medicine Pioneer | #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author | International Speaker | Host of The Empowering Neurologist Podcast

The Free Brain Boost You May Be Missing

19 Jan 2026 · 1 min

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1:05

In this brief video, board‑certified neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter explains that muscles act as a natural pharmacy, producing myokines—brain‑beneficial chemicals such as BDNF, cathepsin D, irisin, lactate, and interleukin‑6. These myokines are released into the bloodstream and travel to the brain, supporting neural health and potentially lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The only way to increase their production is through physical exercise, which also builds larger muscles that can generate more of these protective compounds. Dr. Perlmutter frames this as a free, readily available brain boost that anyone can access by simply exercising, and ends with a call to subscribe for more information.

Chapters

Some of the most powerfully effective brain chemicals are available to you now, free of charge. Hi, I'm Dr. David Perlmutter. I'm a board-certified neurologist and fellow of the American College of Nutrition. And as it turns out, some of the most powerful chemicals that relate to brain health are actually made in your own body's pharmacy by your muscles. We call them myokines, things like BDNF, cathepsin D, irisin, lactate, interleukin-6. These are all made from your muscles. Your muscles are actually creating these chemicals, And sending them to the brain, much like the endocrine system. And how do we have more and more of these chemicals? Simple, we exercise. An added benefit is, of course, building larger muscles, therefore you get more of these chemicals. So when I say free of charge, you bet, you just have to exercise. This is really powerful information and allows us to understand the relationship between people who exercise and decreased risk of things like Alzheimer's disease. I hope you like this information. If you want more, please subscribe to my channel. I'm Dr. David Perlmutter.