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Bonnie Tsui on the Science, Symbolism and Strength of Muscle

Apr 22, 2025
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INSIGHT

Muscles as Chatty Endocrine Tissue

  • Muscles act as endocrine tissue, secreting myokines that communicate with the brain and other organs.
  • Exercise triggers a chemical wash that boosts cognition, mood, and emotional state, enhancing brain health.
ANECDOTE

Adaptive Yoga and Mind-Muscle Connection

  • Matthew Sanford, paralyzed from the chest down, practices adaptive yoga to invigorate his mind-muscle connection.
  • He uses interoception and assisted movement to feel his whole body and improve balance despite paralysis.
INSIGHT

Muscle and Brain Health Linked

  • Society often stereotypes muscles and brains as opposites, but muscle health supports brain health.
  • Grip strength and muscle mass correlate with longevity and cognitive health in later life.
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