Finally, someone attempts to describe what's going on in the brain that creates mental/emotional difficulties, and then describes how movement can help remedy these problems. I come from a family of depressive, overanxious, Alzheimer's-prone people with ischemic disease. The first message I picked up is, "It's not your fault. It's the way your brain works (or doesn't work) that causes the depression and anxiety." The second message I got was that it's never too late to start exercising to alleviate or delay these issues. I read the book in a day, started walking the next morning and have followed through every morning since. I have to say, I feel sharper, my blood pressure has gone down and I've even dropped a little weight.

With Eric Hagerman, John Ratey has written a book in which he explains -- in layman's terms (to the extent that is possible) -- how physical exercise can "supercharge [provide a `spark' to] mental circuits to avoid or overcome stress, sharpen thinking, lift mood, increase memory...and much more." Obviously, these are all highly desirable results to achieve. Alas, many children as well as adults are out of (physical) shape, do not eat properly, and continue under severe stress to meet their obligations. The implications of what Ratey explains and recommends should be of special interest to young adults, their parents, school administrators, teachers, and coaches as well as to business executives who are responsible for the performance of those whom they supervise.

Here are some of the questions to which he responds:

What are some of the most common misconceptions about "the brain-body connection"?

What in fact is true?

How can aerobic exercise physically remodel our brains for peak performance?

Why is physical exercise the best defense against addiction, aggression, ADD, menopause, and even Alzheimer's?

What are the most significant revelations of a fitness program sponsored by the Naperville (IL) public school district in which more than 19,000 children participated?

Why should such a program (with necessary modifications) be made available to other school children?

In the absence of such a program, what can parents do to increase their children's physical exercise? What sacrifices (if any) must be made to accomplish that?

At a minimum, how frequently should we exercise...and for how long?

What are the benefits to be gained even from minimal exercise?

All of Ratey's observations and recommendations are research-driven, supplemented by his own personal experiences. He seems to be on a mission (one that is commendable) to do everything he possibly can to broaden and deepen public awareness of the consequences of obesity, lethargy, and indolence but also, more to the point, to provide reassurance that even a modest increase in physical exercise can have substantial benefits, not only in terms of improved health but also increased achievement and consequent pride in the classroom as well as in the workplace...indeed in every realm of human life.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Ratey's A User's Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain and John Medina's Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School (Book & DVD). It is worth noting that everything that Ratey recommends is consistent with the various "rules" that Medina identifies and discusses, notably #1 ("Exercise boosts brain power"), #7 ("Sleep well, think well"), #8 ("Stressed brains don't learn the same way"), #9 ("Stimulate more of the senses"), and #12 ("We are all natural explorers"). How simple it seems: Eat right and get lots of exercise and sufficient rest. If you do, you will reduce stress and nourish your curiosity. To many of us, the obvious is often invisible until we are enlightened by others such as John Ratey and John Medina.

The first chapter was exciting but it was downhill from there. I agree with the reviewer who said it would make a good magazine article. Exercise is good for the brain - said over and over - became less and less interesting as the book went on.

I knew next to nothing about the brain's physiology and less about the physiology's relationship to the rest of the body. While I remain no expert in the realm of neuroscience, I found `Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain' a captivating read. For the novice - meaning me - I learned something about the value of exercise in maintaining, on occasion improving, the health of the brain. Ratey approaches, and grows, his analysis by topic (learning, stress, anxiety, ... , aging). It all made sense. As a migraine sufferer I'd liked to have seen something on migraines and exercise. I guess it's up to me to put on my running shoes and see what happens!

This is a brief for exercise as an element of brain fitness. The author is a Harvard Medical School Professor. There is a lot of science here --any more and I would have been lost. The idea is simply this --we are designed to be moving animals. Our brains are controlled by chemicals which must be kept in balance and cells which must be replensished and grow. Vigorous, regular exercise, like a pill we take every morning but wihtout the side effects, helps manage all of this complexity. We don't know exactly how this works but it works and is a prescription to ward off stress, depression, anxiety, dementia and other like afflictions which all have biochemical roots. In the same way that exercise benefits the heart, Dr. Raney persuasively argues it benefits the organ of the brain. My advice--read the book, go out and get a heart monitor and make vigorous exercise a standard part of your day and life.

Run, don't walk, to get this book. This should be required reading for every Doctor and School Teacher. This book will help me preserve many years of cognitive ability that I was surely destined to lose before I read it and started following Dr. Ratey's recommendations.

I found this book easy to read, extremely informative and highly motivating. The few places where I seemed to get bogged down in the science were quickly replaced by huge chunks of information that really inspired me to do the simplest of things that will protect and improve my mental stability. The information in this book really is a "no brainer!"

Buy it. Read it. Do it and you will be far ahead of almost anyone else in strengthening and preserving your mental health for the rest of your life!

To die is inevitable. However, I think this, along with legitimate brain training like "The Brain Fitness Program Software" that I just bought ($395 from PositScience) is a huge part of the key to avoiding dementia and Alzheimer's so that my brain isn't useless before my body wears out.

After reading SPARK, I bought a heart monitor and started a daily vigorous exercise program. Haven't missed a day yet, three weeks later. We sent copies to all of the teachers in the family, to encourage them to talk up the school in chapter 1 and how much the students there have progressed academically since the school switched to tailored exercise programs for students. I wanted to read this book aloud to everyone on my plane!

Spark! An amazing book, hands down...why? Many books explain how exercise helps with wt. control, physical benefits of getting in shape, and other fountain of youth aspects . These are great reasons to exercise, but Spark hits on an entire different niche, the mental benefits and effects on the brain. Sometimes just knowing how and why exercise helps with bad moods, depression and anxiety is all the push people need to get moving. I have read a few negative responses, but hey, guess you can't please everyone...right. I 100 percent enjoyed and found the book to be fascinating and helpful with my own bouts of depression. Let's make a deal to all those who have something negative to say regarding Spark...before making a comment, go for a run and then write how you feel and we'll go frome there.....health in motion

Being in and around the military my entire life (I was born in a military hospital) I can safely say that exercise has always played, at least, a small role in my day to day existence. And I think those of us who exercise on a daily basis can attest to the light form of euphoria you seem to experience after a workout. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, written by Dr. John J. Ratey, simply reinforces something most of us who exercise on a daily basis already recognize; which is, it's good for you. Dr. Ratey provides credible evidence that cognitive development can be enhanced simply by breaking a sweat. As I read the book, I often wondered whether there was a correlation between obesity and academic underachievement; resulting from, not only the lack of school supported and directed exercise programs, but similiarily, the lack of access to publicly run, affordable, 24-hour inner-city exercise facilities, and the increase of violent crime commonly associated with the economically depressed poverty pockets of America. I know, I know it's a stretch, but sometimes I wonder. Something else that struck me was the genetic intensity available to all human beings via genetic encoding during exercise. That information added an exhilarating dimension to my exercise program (specifically, my cardio routine) that I wasn't expecting. While Spark may not get you out of bed in the morning, it's a satisfying and invigorating read that enhanced my workouts. By the way, I read Spark in conjunction with a Dr. Larry McCleary's, The Brain Trust Program and each book has had a positive impact on my approach to fitness; as a result, I recommend reading it as well. Both books deliver effective information that will help enhance your future via exercise and sound decision making based on solid, well researched fact.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that I am a doctoral candidate in health psychology who is studying cardiovascular exercise as a viable treatment for comorbid emotional and physical disorders...
that being said, I think that everyone should read this book.

For a long time, the general public has minimized the beneficial effects of exercise and has consistently cut physical activity from school curricula. As we become more and more inactive, and consume much more calorie-dense food, our bodies are demonstrating the effects of physiologic and psychological stress. Dr. Ratey's writing style is accessible to all, and breaks down current research into themes and results that are easily understood. It is my hope that writings such as these will revolutionize the American approach to health, which currently seems to rely on purely pharmaceutical interventions. The ideas suggested in this book really provide a strong basis for the effects of exercise that we had already suspected, and packages it in a manner that will be relevant to people in all walks of life.

Excellent support of what we as physical educators have known for years. That exercise is exactly what the body deisires and needs.

There is nothing new or revolutionary about the basic wisdom of this book -- Exercise benefits the brain. If you can read those few words, you don't need to read the book because not much more is really said. While the author presents interesting antidotal evidence, a lot of hard research needs to be done to 1) prove the assertion and 2) define the extent of the "benefit" one receives. Further a lot more work is necessary to define "exercise." Suffice it to say this would have made an interesting article in the Sunday New York Times Magazine. Unfortunately it has not yet been developed enough for book form.

If I had plenty of money I would buy up every copy of "Spark" on the shelves and give a copy to every Politician, Teacher and child in our nation and make them read it.

Trisha

Modern America is in love with fitness. It seems that the quest for the body beautiful has reached epidemic proportions. However, most people only think about the physical benefits of exercise. It should come as no surprise that exercise is a good idea - for the body and the mind. Although marketing gurus would have us believe that everyone in America owns a Bowflex or an Ab-Roller, it seems that the result of our overly sedentary lifestyle has largely caught up with us.

Mind you, this is not a novel idea. Even Plato conceded, "Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical exercise save it and preserve it." This tome came to us from one of the very people who helped lay the philosophical foundation of Western culture.

Building upon this platonic idea that humans are genetically built to move, Dr. John Ratey provides an excellent development of the "why" behind exercise's importance. His book, Spark: the Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain provides enough scientific evidence to spark an interest in all readers.

Dr. Ratey includes a landmark case where a school in Illinois actually reversed a negative educational trend by incorporating an intense athletic regimen. His delving into the realities there demonstrates the connection between exercise and increased intellectual acumen. Many school districts, who are currently opining for the next "magical bullet" to fix their systems, might find their money better spent on heart rate monitors that prove their students are exercising in the right zone. This methodology worked wonders in Naperville, Illinois.

It seems that Dr. Ratey wants to destroy stereotypes of unintelligent athletes. Nothing could be further from the truth: more movement actually increases the brain's ability to learn. This book provides sufficient scientific detail to prove it - to a physician, teacher, or layman. Dr. Ratey, himself a clinical associate professor of psychiatry, has no intention to aim this work exclusively at the scientifically minded, however. Even the intermittent athlete can benefit from decreased tendencies toward stress, depression, or anxiety.

Armchair Interviews says: Who needs this book? Anyone who wants to be smarter - and understand "why" exercise can provide a kick start for the brain.

The book documents very well the highly favorable impact of regular exercise on mental health. The fact that the author is a practicing psychiatrist lends credibility to the overall conclusion that exercise is good for you mentally as well as figuratively. Not being a scientist, I do not fully understand the author's quite technical explanations of how exercise changes the biology of the brain to make a person better mentally. Nevertheless, he is strongly convincing.

Anyone interest in the health benefits of exercise and the health risks of not exercising ought to read this book.

If you are already regularly active, the book will motivate you to be more so. If not, it should give you incentive to get off the couch.

In this groudbreaking book, Harvard psychiatrist, John J. Ratey, MD, takes us on a fascinating exploration of the impact of exercise on the brain. Most people just think exercise is good for overall health. But what's extraordinary is that exercise is the best thing you can do for your brain, not just your body. Exercise reduces your risk for Alzheimer's by 50%. It produces the protein BDNF, which is like Miracle-Gro for your brain. Exercise can mitigate the symptoms of depression better than drugs like Zoloft. Exercise can help your productivity at work. I could go on and on. After reading the book, you will have 100 reasons why you need to do aerobic exercise (for your brain) every single day.

SPARK is a terrific compliment to John Medina's new book, BRAIN RULES (full disclosure: I'm the publisher of the book). One of the 12 Brain Rules is "exercise boosts brain power." It's impossible to read these books without wanting to get up and move. Unforunately, our workplaces and schools keep us in cubicles or desks for 8 hours a day. I hope these books can do something about this problem. Sitting goes against everything we are built to do.

Highly recommended. It will help to explain and motivate individuals who suffer from any number of today's health-related problems.

This book explains so much about the inter-relationship of the mind and body, though a bit technical at times. A few simple diagrams / graphics would have been a nice addition - next printing perhaps.

I happened to read it after successfully weening myself from years of anti-depresents. I understand how I was able to be so successful even though my doctor lacked a firm sense of these beliefs. It helps to know the key to so much personal recovery/growth is within AND backed-up by science.

Like Dorothy in The Wizard of OZ, we have the capacity to improve and make the changes we seek. Exercise is the 'ruby slipper' It cranks up the brain and gets us where we want to go.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS BOOK! It is an important read and keeper but pass it on: Improving one's mind/body experience is the best gift we can share!

This book has alot of technical language but is very good at stressing why excersise is so important for our bodies and mind. It's a good read and school phys ed teachers could learn a tremendous amount to help their students.

John J. Ratey's book is important and a great addition to exercise science. But I was concerned by some insufficient stats in his research. For example, I am very familiar with Naperville, Illinois, which he cites as the area in the U.S. where high school students academically fair as well or better than Asian students in Japan, China, India, etc.

Ratey attributes Naperville's academic excellence to exercise, and not to ethnicity. However, Ratey does not indicate the ethnic distribution of students in Naperville. I happen to know that Naperville is peppered with industries like Lucent Technologies, etc. that hire larger than average numbers of Asian employees in computer science, engineering, etc. Naperville has a "huge" Asian population, and Ratey's book left me asking the begging question, "Is Ratey really comparing non-Asian American high schoolers to Asian high schoolers, or is he comparing American Asian high schoolers to native-born Asians?"

If the latter, then Naperville academic success amounts to very smart Asians in the U.S. outpacing less exercised Asians abroad. In short, although exercise might be part of the reason for Naperville's academic success, another hidden reason might be the genetic argument that Asians simply score better in school.

Take a look at piano competitions, where it is a well known fact that Asians seem to dominate in recent years in competitions at all age groups (e.g. see Veda Kablinsky's comment on Asian piano superiority in the Van Cliburn Competition DVD, "In the Heart.")

Statistical omissions in Ratey's book as that mentioned aboved dampens it's convincing power. Still, SPARK is a very good book and a valuable contribution to exercise science. It should be purchased and read by all (on a treadmill)!

I like this book because it presents the research in a more objective manner than other popular press science books that I have read over the years. This book is concise and carefully refrains from sensationalism of the link between exercise and the brain. It describes groups of studies within a certain context and it presents the findings in a way that readers will be able to discern between "evidence" and "law".

This book was fun to read because much of the content of this book contradicts my outdated education on the brain, how it develops, and how it freezes from further significant development around hormonal changes as teens. Additionally, while Piaget may describe behavior well, the inferences made about physical brain development from his ideas are also rendered obselete.

As a matter of serendipity, I also read this book at a time when I was around 15 weeks of regular exercising after being dormant for 7 years. It really helped my confidence with the decision to make investments of time and money to exercise as many days out of the week as I could.

The underlying research that is in this book should be given credit and I have to take away points for not presenting the hypothesis of all the experiments presented in the book in greater detail, because a casual reader will likely infer that all the studies were conducted on behalf of the thesis of the book.

Still, 5 Stars.

I've read a lot about the brain in the last decade, and I thought this book was the most helpful summary I've seen of what to do differently. The thinking person is the person who aerobically exercises regularly.

Spark is an excellent summary of the brain research during the last decade or so that has added to our knowledge of how regular aerobic exercise stimulates better and more effective mental activity. Dr. Ratey considers the impact of such exercise on school-age children . . . and adults with stress, anxiety, depression, attention deficits, hormonal changes, and aging bodies. He also recommends a general exercise regime that seems to optimize what we know today from these studies.

The essence of the book can be found in the observation that optimal brain functioning requires plenty of blood, the right nutrients, a balance of body chemicals designed to help the brain operate, and an ability to grow new cells and connections in the brain. Each of these elements is helped by regular aerobic exercise. The results are often measurable within a few weeks.

So if you thought that aerobic exercise was simply about looking and feeling good, you're wrong. It's also about thinking well and being able to learn. There are longevity and other quality of life benefits as well . . . including reduced incidence of disease and less chance of dementia.

The book also explores that you don't have to do a tremendous amount of exercise to get most of the benefits.

A very impressive informative resource. Had the pleasure to finish the book today and be able to advise a client that exercise for my patient (her dog), will improve not only his body but his mind.

While this review is as enthusiastically positive as the previous ones, it comes from a different perspective. My view is based on years of consulting with top leaders of major organizations about their own performance and that of their company. Too bad that SPARK wasn't available sooner. Now we realize that a physical fitness program, especially with the kinds of experiences that Dr. Ratey describes, is an essential part of the career development plan of any would be top manager. Further, Dr.Ratey's suggestions for dealing with high pressure situations are especially helpful for those who already are in positions of heavy responsibility. And the scientific and clinical content are fascinating to any one.

Spark is a luminous and visionary book. John Ratey and Eric Hagerman have done a terrific job of bringing the neuroscience of exercise and the brain to the mainstream in an intelligent, inspiring and practical book.

Once I started reading Spark, I couldn't put it down. The writing is smart, effortless and heartfelt. John Ratey is on a crusade to spread the message that exercise can transform people's lives from the inside out--and he presents this case convincingly. His enthusiasm is contagious. Spark will definitely persuade and motivate readers from all walks of life to make exercise something that they seek most days of the week.

Spark is packed with tons of really valuable scientific information and case studies, but it is never a heavy read. Ratey mixes in personal anecdotes, other people's experiences and practical advice to bring the pages to life. He also manages to maintain a friendly and down-to-earth voice even when discussing potentially mind-numbingly dry neuro-science. His conversational, upbeat tone keeps the eyes from glazing over and the pages turning...The science in this book is thorough and cutting-edge without ever being stodgy or overly complicated.

Huge thanks to John Ratey and Eric Hagerman for this timely, accessible and inspiring contribution to the field of Exercise and the Brain. Reading Spark will improve your life. I highly recommend this book.

Christopher Bergland

Spark is a luminous and visionary book. John Ratey and Eric Hagerman have done a terrific job of bringing the neuroscience of exercise and the brain to the mainstream in an intelligent, inspiring and practical book.

Once I started reading Spark, I couldn't put it down. The writing is smart, effortless and heartfelt. John Ratey is on a crusade to spread the message that exercise can transform people's lives from the inside out--and he presents this case convincingly. His enthusiasm is contagious. Spark will definitely persuade and motivate readers from all walks of life to make exercise something that they seek most days of the week.

Spark is packed with tons of really valuable scientific information and case studies, but it is never a heavy read. Ratey mixes in personal anecdotes, other people's experiences and practical advice to bring the pages to life. He also manages to maintain a friendly and down-to-earth voice even when discussing potentially mind-numbingly dry neuro-science. His conversational, upbeat tone keeps the eyes from glazing over and the pages turning...The science in this book is thorough and cutting-edge without ever being stodgy or overly complicated.

Hats off to John Ratey and Eric Hagerman for this timely, accessible and inspiring contribution to the field of Exercise and the Brain. I highly recommend this book!

Christopher Bergland

As a physical educator I have been looking for 30 years for a book like this to validate my profession. Dr. Ratey's book justifies everything done in a quality PE class. Best of all he explains the effects of exercise on the brain in an easy to understand manner. This book should become the bible for all physical educators. All PE teachers should purchase this book and give it to their administrators and school board members.

This book has a fascinating chapter about anxiety. Dr. Ratey says that a peptide secreted by the heart muscle when we exercise regulates stress and anxiety (atrial natriuretic peptide, p. 102). Who knew a heart valve needs to get pumping for us to feel calm, cool, and collected?

Dr. Ratey's chapter on addiction has tons of fascinating research on how exercise produces chemicals which help us experience pleasure in life's simple things, reducing urges to seek pleasure in self-destructive ways.

I recommend this book for anyone who has kids - especially the chapters on learning and ADHD. It is so interesting to learn how our bodies can improve our brain :-)

I didn't need to read the book to be convinced exercise improves mind, body and soul. I've experienced it in my own life. Thus I have tried hard to convince others that their depression and fatigue are a result of poor dietary habits and failure to launch out of their chairs.

This book provides clear and convincing support for the author's conclusions. While the scientific jargon is scattered throughout, it is very readable, inspiring and just plain entertaining. I literally could not put it down. I took it into my office where my sedentary and overweight co workers are trying hard to incorporate exercise into their lives. Both were very impressed with the book and are more motivated than ever to 'move on' This book will save lives, read it!

Since reading this book, I've upped my exercise 50%. I certainly wish I had read it before. But, I already feel better and know that I am on the right track.

And, Mary and I write textbooks for the counseling field. We will give a big emphasis to this book in our next revision.

Ratey is a scholar who writes for people. The knowledge he shares and his ability to communicate is incredible.

Read this book, share it with your clients, spread it around. Our country needs this book!

Great book for all ages. I bought it because I work with children with learning challenges, however as I read it I realized that it applies to everyone. The book pulls together much research about learning, anxiety, depression, ADHD, aging, etc. and the effects of exercise on each.

This is a book that every educator, every teacher, every parent, every school board member and administrator AND every student should read.

It's about time that we became cognizant of how learning takes place neurologically and build teaching around the science. 5,000 years ago, the Greeks knew that mind and body were one and that exercise was wholly integrated with "learning."

Finally we have the research to put the science into education and get the politics out. Kudos to Dr. John Ratey for writing the most meaningful and important book in American education.

This book has really gotten me and my family off the couch. It's so inspiring. I hadn't realized that exercise can promote brain-cell growth--the implications of this are huge. Filled with easy-to-understand and fascinating science as well as ideas on how to exercise, this one is a must-read.

As someone who works from home, I got this book shortly after my 30th birthday came and went, and I was still moving slowly on my resolution to exercise more. To that end, this book was the kick in the backside - literally - that I needed to get up and moving more.

I'm glad I bought this instead of buying a typical how-to exercise book with a shirtless guy on the cover - rather than filling your head with inane tricep curls and painful ab crunchers, it focuses on keeping things simple, just getting up and moving. And it explains the science behind it all: As a pretty analytical person I need to know HOW things happen - how does a plane get up off the ground, how does the stock market work, and now, how my brain and body are interconnected. This book makes me interested because it explains the how and why, rather than just preaching and shouting.

But, though there's hard science at every turn here, the writing is extremely coherent and understandable to a non-physics-major like me. The tone is accessible and encouraging, while being substantial and authoritative.

Before you go out and get an armful of fitness or exercise books, this one is required reading, because it lays down the set of fundamentals and facts that will inspire you to get moving. Highly recommended!

we need yet another reason to exercise... As the Director of Lifelong Fitness Alliance, an organization that has been advocating physical activity for 29 years, I'm well aware of the benefits of exercise. Yet this inspirational book, written in a lively style and loaded with entertaining and provocative case studies, scientific evidence and practical information, not only provides another great reason to incorporate physical activity into your life. It also provides an individualized formula to make your exercise routine have an impact on your brain, improving function and alleviating the negative effects of depression, anxiety, stress and hormonal fluctuation among others. I will be purchasing this book for both my college-aged children, and I would recommend it to anyone who has a reason to sharpen their mental capacity.

we need yet another reason to exercise... Yet this inspirational book, written in a lively style and loaded with entertaining and provocative case studies, scientific evidence and practical information, not only provides another great reason to incorporate physical activity into your life. It also provides an individualized formula to make your exercise routine have an impact on your brain, improving function and alleviating the negative effects of depression, anxiety, stress and hormonal fluctuation among others. I will be purchasing this book for both my college-aged children, and I would recommend it to anyone who has a reason to sharpen their mental capacity.

I am the mother of two young children. After having my second child I experienced severe depression. A friend asked me to be her running partner and I noticed the impact it had on my emotional well being almost instantly. Since then I have become very interested in brain science & exercise. Last year I read The Athlete's Way by C. Bergland (also great, maybe more accessible for newcomers--a great precursor to Dr. Ratey because it's written by an athlete rather than scientist) and now I graduated up to Ratey's book. Who knew my C+ in science would lead to this!! Thank you to Dr. Ratey

Dr. John Ratey has created an invaluable and timely work that helps shed light on what exercise can do to enhance the quality and longevity of our lives. Spark is a tremendous resource for clinicians and non clinicians alike. Whether you are an olympic athlete or life long couch potato this book is definitely for you!

Dr. Ratey provides us with the latest clinical information and scientific research being done worldwide to better understand the impact of exercise on our bodies and minds. He shares personal experiences and patient accounts which make this book not just informative but touching, funny and relatable as well.

As a youngster who spent most of the time in the nurses office during gym class, I want to thank Dr. Ratey for writing this book and helping me learn about and appreciate my body and what I can do on a daily basis to try and reach my full potential.

Thanks so much, its a must read!!!
Ali L.
Boston, MA

I had the good fortune to hear Dr. John Ratey lecture on his new book Spark. I got a copy right away. I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and know the benefits of exercize; now we have some solid proof. Us health providers have to inspire people to move. As far as I'm concerned activity is the best way to mental health. Anyway John Ratey has inspired me and I thank him for this valid research and commitment to exercize as a way to good health. Any t-shirts available yet?...I dig that running stick figure. This book belongs in our hands; it inspires us to shake that thing!

Claudine Grange, APRN
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Arundel, Maine

Excellent ! Dr.J.Ratey's book lays out the "state of the science" regarding exercise and brain function,in a clear,lucid,and engaging way.We have evolved to be active,and need to,literally,"move" our minds.
I'm a clinical psychiatrist,and I'm recommending this book to all my patients !(and friends,family,and colleagues).
A.B.Lopez,M.D.

Finally, a solution to the culture-wide epidemic of stress and learning problems that is 100% healthy, involves no medication and is completely free and accessible to everyone.

So many of us, whether parent or professional, look with alarm at the current state of our nation's youth in regard to rising obesity, decreased emphasis on outdoor play, and over-use of "screen time" on computers, video games and television. As a clinician who has worked with children for 35 years, I am concerned about the marked increased in the frequency of learning problems, attention deficits, anxiety, depression, lagging social thinking skills, and explosive behaviors.

Dr. Ratey provides a sound explanation of how unhealthy diet and
lack of movement impairs memory and learning. He goes on to
show how exercise improves attention, motivation, mood, and memory while decreasing anxiety, impulsivity and distractibility. Dr. Ratey gives us hope for a future with less dependence on medicating our children and more emphasis on supporting today's youth with the "food" they need to grow into healthier, more balanced young adults. SPARK is a must read for all!

Barbara Baum Freethy, M.Ed.
Touchstone Psychotherapy Assc.
Portland, Maine

Our doctors always say to get more exercise. We always yawn and say of course; we've heard it all before. And then we are mediocre in our follow up. After reading Spark my entire viewpoint has changed. Exercise is a master key to brain functioning. Cholesterol and other system problems caused by lack of exercise are a bit ambiguous since we often can't directly feel them until we manifest some disease. Brain functioning is something else entirely. We can feel an almost immediate change after aerobic exercise. After reading Spark I definitely have become a six day a week exerciser. I need my brain functioning as well as possible, and the data in this book has made a believer out out of me.

Having ready 2 previous books by John : The users guide to brain and Driven
by distraction i was looking forward to reading SPARK. I was especially
interested in learning how John was going to tie exercise with the brain
functioning since i am a strong supporter of exercise and have experienced
its benefits. I knew before reading SPARK that exercise in some way does
make you feel better. But SPARK puts it in perspective from a scientific
point of view. The chapters on Stress and depression particularly caught my
attention since most of us struggle with these 2 issues at some point in
life and again most of us turn to popping a pill to deal with it. If its as
simple as getting on a treadmill or a bike and working out for 30-45
minutes without any side effects, then it seems only logical to do it. The
BDNF (Miracle-gro as John calls it) was a very interesting read for me. I
did had to go back and re-read certain topics as was it too much medical
terms to comprehend in one read. But once i got it, it became permanent and
that's the beauty of this book.
Its simple yet powerful in its message. The simplicity comes from the fact
that "you goto workout ". The power comes from the facts / data that proves
"why you goto workout". Once the reader ties the two together, the message
is very clear and hopefully will remain for a lifetime with the reader.
Today if you look around there is a lot of awareness among people about the
ill-effects of obesity. There are TV programs, advertisements, books about
why exercising is good for you and how it will help you be more fit. But
this is the only books that tells you that exercise will also make your
brain fit along with your body. The brain-body connection is important and
one cannot be ignored over the other.

This book explains in clear terms the role exercise plays in our mental processes. Moving our muscles produces proteins that play roles in our highest thought processes. Ratey says, "thinking is the internalization of movement." He illustrates this with the story of the sea squirt that hatches with a rudimentary spinal cord and 300 brain cells. It has only hours to find a spot of coral on which to put down roots or die. When it does put down roots, it eats its brain. According to Ratey only a moving animal needs a brain.

He begins with the value exercise has for the learning process in high school students: improved academic performance, alertness, attention and motivation.

He cites studies that say we can alter our mental states by physically moving. He said depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. He then presents a chapter where depression is relieved in case studies by exercise.

Among the areas Ratey covers are: stress, depression, ADD, and aging. This book is a great motivator for exercise.

However, Ratey's work was preceded by Glenn Doman's. Doman advocated exercise for brain injured children in the 1950s when the only 'treatment' was to institutionalize them. He later started a `super babies' program. Both the educational and medical establishments attacked and marginalized Doman's work.

Having ready 2 previous books by John : The users guide to brain and Driven
by distraction i was looking forward to reading SPARK. I was especially
interested in learning how John was going to tie exercise with the brain
functioning since i am a strong supporter of exercise and have experienced
its benefits. I knew before reading SPARK that exercise in some way does
make you feel better. But SPARK puts it in perspective from a scientific
point of view. The chapters on Stress and depression particularly caught my
attention since most of us struggle with these 2 issues at some point in
life and again most of us turn to popping a pill to deal with it. If its as
simple as getting on a treadmill or a bike and working out for 30-45
minutes without any side effects, then it seems only logical to do it. The
BDNF (Miracle-gro as John calls it) was a very interesting read for me. I
did had to go back and re-read certain topics as was it too much medical
terms to comprehend in one read. But once i got it, it became permanent and
that's the beauty of this book.
Its simple yet powerful in its message. The simplicity comes from the fact
that "you goto workout ". The power comes from the facts / data that proves
"why you goto workout". Once the reader ties the two together, the message
is very clear and hopefully will remain for a lifetime with the reader.
Today if you look around there is a lot of awareness among people about the
ill-effects of obesity. There are TV programs, advertisements, books about
why exercising is good for you and how it will help you be more fit. But
this is the only books that tells you that exercise will also make your
brain fit along with your body. The brain-body connection is important and
one cannot be ignored over the other.