{"id":2826,"date":"2024-03-01T15:40:16","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T19:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pursueperformance.com\/?p=2826"},"modified":"2024-06-16T21:34:39","modified_gmt":"2024-06-17T01:34:39","slug":"andrew-huberman-concussion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pursueperformance.com\/andrew-huberman-concussion\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrew Huberman Concussion: TBI Recovery Protocol"},"content":{"rendered":"
According to Professor Andrew Huberman, concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are complex injuries that require comprehensive treatment plans for recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman has reviewed extensive research on healing the brain and optimizing its function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post we will coveral Huberman’s key insights on concussion and TBI recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Fish Oil: Sports Research<\/strong><\/a>
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Creatine: Momentous Creatine<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Andrew Huberman Concussion Assessment<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Huberman emphasizes that it takes days to weeks<\/strong> to gauge the full extent of a brain injury accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While assessments should begin immediately, declaring someone “safe to return” to normal activity shortly after an injury can be detrimental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explains that neurons and neural connections do not die instantly on impact. Actual structural damage and cell death resulting from a head injury continue to unfold for 1-5 days or longer<\/strong> after the initial incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no way to definitively determine all consequences of a head impact in the first few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Post-concussion symptoms like headaches, dizziness, cognitive dysfunction, and more may take multiple days to fully manifest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continuing rigorous physical activity or risking additional head impacts before the brain has had time to heal can exponentially worsen outcomes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nHuberman strongly advises resting the brain and avoiding further collisions, hits, or blows for at least several days following a concussion.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Objective assessments by medical experts should begin immediately but decisions on returning to normal life, school, work, or sports require very careful consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nHuberman suggests monitoring symptoms and cognitive function for a full 5+ days while abstaining from taxing activity<\/strong> before accurately gauging recovery progress.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Rushing back to exertion prematurely often backfires by exacerbating post-concussion problems that undermine healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patience allows time for neural repair while preventing added injury burden that can lead to chronic issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Huberman Concussion Sleep Recommendation<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sleep is absolutely vital for recovery after concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During sleep, the brain’s glymphatic system actively clears out metabolic waste products and debris<\/strong> that accumulate in higher amounts post-injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nHuberman strongly advises prioritizing consistent, high-quality sleep<\/a> of 7-9 hours per night<\/strong> after a concussion.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Maintaining regular bed and wake times nightly supports the circadian rhythm, which manages critical healing processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Huberman also suggests slightly elevating the head while sleeping by using an extra pillow<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This body positioning further enhances the brain’s glymphatic drainage overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Certain supplements can also improve sleep quality to aid concussion recovery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Melatonin<\/a><\/strong> (0.5-5mg before bed): Boosts sleep drive signals and synchronizes circadian rhythm. Melatonin production decreases after brain trauma.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Magnesium threonate<\/a><\/strong> (500-1000mg): Increases magnesium levels in the brain to promote deeper more restorative sleep. Also offers neural protective effects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Glycine<\/a><\/strong> (3-5g): Facilitates GABA neurotransmitter inhibition pathways involved in sleep initiation. May increase growth hormone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Apigenin<\/a><\/strong> (50-100mg): Natural plant flavonoid that binds GABA receptors and lowers cortisol. Enhances sleep quality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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