Neuroskeptic

The anonymous one reviews a study that looked for the relationship between exercise and reduced symptoms of depression.

It found none, however, rather than compare exercisers to loafers, they used stretchers, er...  The placebo group stretched instead of engaging in aerobic exercise.  The difference between the two groups was nil.

NS, though, makes the very valid, relavent observation:

"So the placebo effect or the motivational benefits of 'doing something', rather than the effects of exercise per se, could be behind it."

Which sounds very similar to the suggestion I made regarding the great debate, several months ago, about the relationship between psychosis and creativity -- it, as an outlet, not a source:

All the conversation amplifying the past week or so, in regards to the correlation between one form or another of psychological distress and creativity, has focused on creativity being the product of psychosis, or mania, or depression…
Q: Has being bipolar made you more creative
Yes - 18%
82%, then, no, but what a funny idea.
Creative output is more like a recourse to alleviate distress <– the impetus, rather than source.
Creation – artistic, writing, composing, gardening, cooking – helps (if, temporarily) to ease the strain on the brain: In the same vein, as vigorous exercise can help breach the depths of depression.

An opinion duly derided and the coversation disintegrated into a debate over the definition of creativity.

Oh, by the way...