Jay Angler wrote:I have a couple of friends struggling to heal from concussions who are looking for ways to support, speed up, or work around the results of concussions.
I know that brains can heal, and that they heal in several different ways, so I'll start with that. Maybe if people know more ways they can suggest them.
1. Brain cells that are injured repair themselves and start working again - this is the first process that happens over the first few weeks as swelling subsides.
2. Brain cells form new connections to work around damage in the immediate area. Heavily simplified, if you have 20 neurons that do X and 10 are killed, the dendrites from undamaged neurons may grow out to connect in new ways to other neurons to bypass the damaged ones. This takes longer than #1 - I was told months but are there things that can support that happening and help it continue for a longer period?
3. Brains can learn new pathways to bypass damaged areas. I used to work with stroke patients, so I saw this in action. Training, exercise, and a lot of willpower, but I saw patients regain skills long after any improvement from #1 was possible. I believe the old adage that brains require "work" just like muscles do to be strong, flexible and fit.
Also from my family history, I know a bit about how activities can heal brains. I have a son who had trouble crossing midline which affected his vision and his coordination and either caused or was concurrent with dyslexia. We did several "gymnastics for brains" programs including one called, Interactive Metronome, and they all helped in their own way.
What I don't know anything about are dietary, sleep, herbs, lighting etc that I know many permies know a lot about.
This thread is not about a single problem - it's about all the things that might help anyone who's suffered a head injury and is committed to getting better.
I would dig into stuff on increasing neuroplasticity. That will be stuff like fasting etcetera. I personally had some brain damage several years ago (running over a telephone pole with a Honda doesn't go well for you). As dementia is sometimes considered type III diabetes I would consider doing a keto diet with intermittent fasting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgA67qWQiI0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCvUf9WU4qI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xULX7a6usQ
