The exercise-glucocorticoid paradox: How exercise is beneficial to cognition, mood, and the brain while increasing glucocorticoid levels

•We propose the ‘exercise-glucocorticoid paradox’.•Similar to chronic stress, exercise increases glucocorticoid.•Chronic stress or glucocorticoid exposure is detrimental to cognition, mood and the brain.•Chronic exercise is beneficial to cognition, mood and the brain.•CORT functions to elevate dopamine in the mPFC under exercise but not stress.