How Polo Helps Increase Your BDNF
BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) is like fertilizer for your brain — it helps your neurons grow, connect, and regenerate. Higher BDNF levels improve focus, memory, coordination, and emotional balance — all essential for polo players and horsemen.
🔹 Natural Ways to Boost BDNF:
🏇 1. Physical Exercise (key)
• The most powerful natural stimulator of BDNF.
• Aerobic activity such as riding, galloping, stick & ball, or long sets on the field increases BDNF both short and long term.
• Strength training also helps when intensity is maintained.
💡 Polo is a perfect mix of aerobic effort, coordination, and controlled stress, making it an excellent sport to keep your BDNF high and your mind sharp.
🧠 2. Learning and Mental Challenges
• Learning new skills — riding techniques, horse handling, or tactical strategies — pushes the brain to adapt and grow, boosting BDNF.
• Environments full of novelty, movement, and complexity, like a polo field with different horses and situations, are especially effective.
🌞 3. Sunlight Exposure
• Natural light increases vitamin D, which supports BDNF production.
• Spending mornings outdoors with horses or sleeping with open windows helps regulate your circadian rhythm and maintain optimal levels.
🥦 4. Nutrition
Foods that support BDNF:
• Omega-3 (DHA): found in nuts, flaxseed, or krill oil.
• Polyphenols: blueberries, pure cacao, green tea, extra virgin olive oil.
• Curcumin (from turmeric): helps express more BDNF.
• Intermittent fasting or moderate calorie restriction can also stimulate its production in some athletes.
😌 5. Low Stress & Restorative Sleep
• Chronic stress and poor sleep drastically lower BDNF.
• Meditation, deep breathing, or calm moments with your horses help regulate your nervous system and keep BDNF high.
• A peaceful, natural sleep environment allows your brain to recover and grow stronger connections overnight.