Found another great article on the link between physical fitness of the body, and brain or mental fitness. One way to think of it is a lucky side affect of working out the body. Another way to think of it is there is no real way to separate the two. Overall body health and fitness go together.
exercise and smarts
Another article, this time over at the NY Times, discussing the affects of exercise on what is called neuroplasticity, the ability for the brain to change & grow new pathways through new experiences. What Sort of Exercise Can Make You Smarter?
brain surgery then ultrarunner
Here’s an interesting story about a woman named Diane Van Deren. She suffered from epilepsy, had a lobectomy, removal of the right temporal lobe. What healed her in one way, then also pushed her to become an ultrarunner, but also had certain strange side affects. All interesting discussion of the brain, exercise, and health. Worth a read.