Story perspectives

Moderate Cycling Boosts Anandamide, Low-Intensity Exercise Doesn’t

7/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

John Leri and colleagues found that moderate-intensity cycling raised blood anandamide (AEA), while low-intensity cycling, yoga, and stretching did not.
Participants were randomly assigned to aerobic or mind-body groups for two sessions.
Activities lowered anxiety while cycling, yoga, and stretching raised affect, with no change in 2-AG or BDNF.
Because higher AEA gains linked to positive boosts, researchers suggested workouts and testing participants, noting exerkine levels did not predict memory.

1 of 1

Story summary

John Leri and colleagues found that moderate-intensity cycling raised blood anandamide (AEA), while low-intensity cycling, yoga, and stretching did not.
Participants were randomly assigned to aerobic or mind-body groups for two sessions.
Activities lowered anxiety while cycling, yoga, and stretching raised affect, with no change in 2-AG or BDNF.
Because higher AEA gains linked to positive boosts, researchers suggested workouts and testing participants, noting exerkine levels did not predict memory.