The Science Of How Movement Positively Impacts The Neurodivergent Brain

If you've ever exercised to unwind after a stressful day or went on a walk to clear your head, you've participated in feel-good movement.

For the neurodivergent community, which refers to individuals whose neurological development and functioning differ from the societal norm (and makes up 15–20% of the world’s population), movement can feel extra rewarding. And according to new science, it also can have a significant impact on the brain by balancing neurotransmitters essential to everyday functioning.

It's no surprise that movement has a positive impact on all brain types, but it may have the biggest impact on neurodivergent brains that have a slightly different structure, connectivity, and function.

No matter who you are, in the short term, “engaging in physical activity increases blood flow and oxygenation to the brain,” says Hayley Nelson, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and psychology professor. It also releases endorphins and neurotransmitters that improve cognitive performance, mood, and emotions. In the long term, this can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and symptoms of dementia, and a recent study1 states that two or more hours of physical activity a week can lower one's risk of developing dementia1 by 46 percent.

The connection between mind and body begins at birth. “One of our first languages is movement,” says Jennifer Sterling, a dance psychotherapist who uses somatic education to help clients reconnect with their bodies. “We’re moving around in the womb, we're squirming and crawling, our hearts are beating, we're breathing. Being able to tap into some of that allows our nervous system to remember some of those first moments.” 

Nelson tells mindbodygreen that these benefits occur thanks to three distinct mechanisms. First, there's neuroplasticity: the brain's ability to reorganize and form new connections. Then, neurotransmitter regulation helps us release the right amounts of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Finally, oxygenation leads to an increase in blood flow and oxygen to the brain, supporting focus and concentration. 

While many individuals with neurodivergence experience challenges with sensory processing, these can be aided by certain movement approaches, such as aerobic exercises (running, swimming, and cycling) that elevate heart rate and involve continuous rhythmic movements, and coordination-based activities (like team sports) that improve motor skills and involve social interaction. Neha Agrawal, PsyD, a clinical psychologist, says that “flexibility—both literally and metaphorically—is so key in healing the trauma that comes with being in a neurodivergent brain. Moving together and breathing together sends a signal to the brain that ‘we're safe.’”

Mind-body exercises that combine movement with mindful awareness, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques, can also be helpful.