Can BDNF help with fatigue?

BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) is a protein crucial for neuronal survival, plasticity, and cognitive function. Some research suggests it may play a role in fatigue, particularly in conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome or after intense exercise. However, the evidence is weak and largely mechanistic or from animal studies. There are no robust clinical trials showing that boosting BDNF through supplements or lifestyle interventions reliably reduces fatigue in humans. Exercise, sleep, and stress management have much stronger evidence. Genetic variants in the BDNF gene (e.g., Val66Met) have small effects on BDNF secretion and are not clinically actionable for fatigue. MyBody-X tests do not provide validated clinical insights on this. Conclusion: BDNF is an interesting biomarker but not a proven tool for combating fatigue.