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In addition to the benefits of learning BJJ, such as practical self-defense skills, it significantly impacts an individual's mental health. BJJ training involves resistance exercises, mental drilling, and aerobic workouts, fundamental tools for optimum brain health. BJJ involves strength-training exercises, aerobic workouts, conditioning exercises, and mental challenges. These exercises help increase brain processing speed, promote healthy brain aging, lower brain inflammation, enhance brain function, and improve memory and learning. Generally, martial arts practitioners exercise vigilance related to greater cognitive control. Cognitive functions of the brain pertain to mental abilities such as thinking, listening, reasoning, attentiveness, decision-making, remembering, and problem-solving. A study conducted in 2018 on cognitive science established whether people who practice martial arts have increased brain control and are more alert. The study revealed that martial artists are more alert than non-martial artists. (Source) BJJ benefits Before diving in, if you want to train BJJ at home, it'll be best to buy a grappling dummy and a mat. I wrote an article on the best grappling dummies for your money, and another one on the best mats on the market. Do check them out to learn more! #5 – BJJ increases brain-processing speed Brain processing speed refers to the rate at which an individual can take in intellectual information. The ability to see information, scrutinize it, and decide is a measure of cognitive efficiency. Brain processing speed is fundamental to intellectual development, reasoning, experience, learning, and academic performance. Aerobic exercises practiced in BJJ increase the production of myelin that supports cognitive function, thus increasing brain speed. Myelin is a protective coating that covers axons in the white matter, where information is transmitted to other parts of the nervous system. More myelin causes signals travelling between neurons along axons to get to each other faster. Thicker myelin reduces ion flow resistance within the axon, causing them to travel speedily. Consistent physical activity is associated with an increase in the white matter of the brain. An increase in the size of axons due to myelin increases the surface area and volume of white matter. These, in turn, promote faster processing speeds and improved coordination of brain regions. Additionally, during sparring sessions, BJJ challenges a student's brain, as they must figure out the opponent’s next move and counterattack. #4 – BJJ improves memory and learning Memory and learning are fundamental to everyday life. Memory deterioration can lead to a severe disease known as Alzheimer’s. The Hippocampus is responsible for an individual's learning abilities, verbal memory, space perception, and navigation. BJJ exercises are intense thus prompt the release of a brain protein called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which impacts neurons to supplement the network and structure of the fundamental brain areas, i.e., the Hippocampus that controls learning and memory. BDNF is a molecular component that activates synaptogenesis, the formation of synapses that control memory and learning, enabling one to find learning more straightforward and have long-term memory. The increase in BDNF increases memory in terms of capacity and function. As individuals age, neurons are lost, leading to memory loss and diagnosed diseases such as dementia. Intense workouts such as strength training exercises cause the development of new neurons. BJJ involves extreme body-conditioning activities, leading to the sprouting of new neurons. #3 – BJJ Improves Brain Function The brain is a critical organ in the human body. When the brain does not function optimally, it can cause adverse consequences such as brain damage, psychosis, and death. The cerebrum is the most significant part of the brain that controls brain function. BJJ is a full-body workout that improves glucose metabolism in the brain through increased blood flow. The brain requires high-glucose metabolism to function optimally. Neurons in the brain have a higher metabolic rate than other cells that activate ionic pumps continuously. High glucose metabolism enables the brain to receive all the nutrients it needs to function efficiently. The nutrients also aid in forming molecules such as the BDFN and Myelin. However, An individual should regulate glucose metabolism, as high blood sugar can damage blood vessels carrying oxygen-rich blood. BJJ exercises involve body conditioning and resistance training that pump up the body and increase blood circulation. Continuous BJJ classes will lead to practical brain function. #2 – BJJ reduces Brain Inflammation Brain inflammation is brought about by viral infections and rarely by fungi or bacteria. Acute swelling of the brain is known as Encephalitis. Symptoms may include headaches, vomiting, stiff neck, and fever. Physical activity can reduce inflammation. BJJ consists of aerobic workouts that inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, enabling them to resolve brain infection. Physical exercises in BJJ alter brain immune cells' operation, decreasing inflammation in the brain. The brain contains immune cells called Microglia that inspect the body for damage or infection. The microglia have to be activated by signals from a virus or damaged cell to do their job. The microglia change shape and produce proinflammatory molecules. Nevertheless, Microglia can be activated inappropriately due to old age, causing an individual to suffer from impairing neurogenesis and chronic brain inflammation. Engaging in BJJ exercises and techniques can lower the risks of such diseases. #1 – BJJ promotes healthy brain aging Aging is inevitable, but how one ages is entirely up to them. Eating healthy and being active can slow the aging process and make it more healthy. BJJ training involves cardio workouts that help conserve brain volume and gray matter. The gray matter facilitates various motor and cognitive functions, such as muscle memory and control. BJJ workouts improve the cardiovascular system and decelerate brain aging. Continuous physical activity among young and older adults enhances healthy brain aging. BJJ training is about physical activities involving grappling, sparring, drilling, body conditioning, and resistance training. Older people are encouraged to learn BJJ as it requires flexibility and body balance exercises that increase body stability, which most older people struggle to sustain. Strength reduces the risk of falls. BJJ training helps to improve cognitive functions such as thinking in older practitioners. Active people have lower cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. A study conducted on people ages 21-84 shows the positive correlation of cardiovascular fitness with brain and gray matter volume. (Mayo Clinic proceedings) Read more about why BJJ is so addictive by following the link. Does BJJ Make You Mentally Stronger? BJJ has numerous physical benefits, but the mental benefits are often overlooked. BJJ makes a student mentally stronger as it presents a challenge on how to stay focused to overpower your opponent. It instills strong core values in students, such as discipline, endurance, and persistence. BJJ is a challenging martial art, as one has to figure out their rival's next move and beat them to it. This activity leads to brain stimulation. The mental challenge makes the student sharp and has a strong mental capacity. Image by Julián Amé from Pixabay BJJ involves intense strength training workouts and body conditioning exercises. These teach the student endurance and patience, thus increasing their mental capabilities by pushing them to their limits. Training in BJJ requires high discipline to attend class continuously without fail. BJJ also emphasizes discipline, as it is the core of the martial art. BJJ, incorporated with proper nutrition and muscle recovery, can lead to building muscle mass. This increases the student's muscle definition and weight loss. A student in shape has self-confidence, thus helping them develop a strong character. If you want to learn more about whether Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is suitable for losing weight, follow the link to an article of mine revealing the answer. Final Words Every martial art has many benefits to an individual's mental health. BJJ, in particular, involves extreme exercises that boost brain function tremendously. Learning BJJ will help increase one’s brain processing speed, boost brain function, promote healthy brain aging, reduce brain inflammation and improve memory and learning. The brain controls all body functions and is what makes one human; signing up for a BJJ class can be the next step toward keeping the brain at its optimum. If you enjoyed reading this article, I encourage you to follow the link to read more about the best ways to train BJJ at home. By doing so, you'll be able to progress outside your Jiu-Jitsu gym. Or, if you are unwilling to afford classes, you'll save plenty of money while learning ground grappling from your home!

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