Harvard’s Dr. Ratey: Why Exercise is Medicine for the Brain

What if the key to unlocking focus, motivation, and productivity wasn’t medication, but movement?

Dr. John Ratey, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, has spent decades researching the connection between movement and brain function. His groundbreaking book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain changed the way we think about exercise—not just as something for physical health, but as essential for cognitive performance, ADHD management, and even mental health.

In this conversation, Dr. Ratey explains how movement is medicine—boosting attention, improving mood, and even combating procrastination. From structured workouts to small bursts of activity throughout the day, exercise fuels the brain and enhances executive function.

Dr. Ratey shares incredible insights, including:
✅ Why movement helps ADHD brains focus
✅ How exercise combats procrastination & distraction
✅ Why physical activity is critical for academic performance
✅ The best types of exercise for brain health

The research is clear: If you want to optimize your brain, start moving. Want to take it further? Click the link below to learn more about how movement impacts executive function!

FREE resource: https://untappedlearning.com/the-powe...

If you or your student are interested in learning more about what Untapped Learning has to offer, visit us at:

⬇️ Website: https://untappedlearning.com/

⬇️ Instagram:   / untappedlearning  

Like, subscribe & comment with your thoughts or questions—we'd love to hear from you!

This interview was hosted by Brandon Slade, Founder of Untapped Learning, and filmed/edited/produced by Head Videographer Nathan Weinberg.

#ExerciseIsMedicine #Harvard #BrainHealth #Neuroscience #ADHD #MentalHealth #CognitiveFunction #AntiAging #MoveYourBody #ExecutiveFunction #MentalClarity #ExerciseForFocus #Neurodiversity #MindsetMatters #SparkYourBrain #JohnRatey #HarvardPsychiatry #MovementIsMedicine #ProcrastinationHacks #FocusTips #CognitivePerformance #UntappedLearning #BrainPower #GetMoving #ExerciseScience #OptimizeYourMind #AttentionDeficit #ADHDCoach #StudyHacks #brainboost

0:00 – Spark: Why Movement is Brain Power
2:05 – ADD, Psychiatry & The Origins of Spark
3:39 – The Science of Exercise as Medicine
6:02 – Athletes & ADHD: Self-Medicating with Movement
7:17 – Socialization & The Power of Movement
8:12 – The Best Exercise? The One You’ll Actually Do
9:24 – How Exercise Crushes Procrastination
10:27 – 3-Minute Exercise Routine for Studying
11:03 – Jump Roping Your Way to Success
12:33 – Game-Changing Movement Strategies for Schools
13:54 – Dr. Ratey’s Personal Exercise Routine