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Combat sports make brain injury impossible to ignore, but the most dangerous part might be what happens after everyone goes home. We’re joined by Jordan J. Adams, founder and CEO of United Fight Alliance and an Emmy Award-winning combat sports commentator, to talk about concussions, post-concussion syndrome and the real gaps he still sees in concussion protocols across athletics.

We dig into the difference between “knowing” head trauma is serious and actually acting fast with coordinated care. Jordan shares what he has witnessed behind the scenes with athletic commissions, how referees have improved some in-fight checks and why follow-up care often collapses into guesswork. We also talk about the heartbreaking long arc of repeated hits, including short-term memory issues, working memory problems and speech changes that can show up years later.

Jordan opens up about his own concussion history from a motorcycle crash, a severe shallow-pool diving accident and military artillery exposure, plus the added pressure of a family Alzheimer’s history. From there, we get into hopeful science and practical habits: neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, strength training and BDNF, and Jordan’s top “needle movers” like transcranial photobiomodulation, intermittent fasting, cold plunges and methylene blue, along with why tracking tiny functional changes matters. Subscribe, share this with someone navigating concussion recovery and leave a review, then tell us what topic you want us to tackle next?

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Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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For decades, patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms have been told that their imaging is normal, their brain has healed, and there is nothing more that can be done. But what if we've been asking the wrong questions?

In this episode of Life After Impact, Dr. Ayla Wolf sits down with functional neurologist Dr. Matt Antonucci to discuss his groundbreaking new paper published in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, introducing the Network Entrapment by Reflex Dysfunction (NERD) Model. Together, they explore a new framework for understanding why concussion symptoms can persist long after the initial injury has healed.

Dr. Antonucci explains how the brain functions as an interconnected network rather than a collection of isolated structures, and how disrupted sensory processing, maladaptive feedback loops, and altered neuroplasticity can cause symptoms to spiral over time. The conversation dives into predictive processing, cerebellar function, autonomic regulation, postural instability, chronic headaches, neck pain, light sensitivity, dysautonomia, and why many patients feel trapped in patterns that conventional medicine struggles to explain.

Topics discussed include:

• The difference between structural neurology and functional neurology
• Why normal MRI and CT scans don't mean the brain is functioning normally
• The NERD model and persistent post-concussion syndrome
• How the brain becomes trapped in maladaptive feedback loops
• Predictive processing and the role of the cerebellum
• Why symptoms often worsen under cognitive, physical, or sensory load
• Neuroplasticity: when adaptation helps and when it hurts
• Dysautonomia, POTS, headaches, neck pain, and sensory sensitivity
• The importance of identifying the true source of dysfunction
• How this model may apply beyond concussion to conditions such as ADHD, autism, migraine, and chronic neurological disorders

Whether you're a patient struggling to understand persistent symptoms or a clinician seeking a deeper framework for neurological rehabilitation, this episode offers a fascinating look into what may become one of the most influential models in functional neurology.

If you’re a patient feeling stuck, or a clinician looking for a clearer concussion recovery model, this is a practical, hopeful listen. Subscribe, share with someone navigating post-concussion symptoms, and leave a review. What “load” situation reliably sets off your symptoms?

The NERD model: reflex circuit dysfunction as a systems-level driver of persistent post-concussion symptoms - Read the paper!

Dr. Antonucci's Website

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Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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What if healing isn’t just physical?

In this deeply thought-provoking episode, Dr. Ayla Wolf sits down with somatic practitioner and Inner Space Technique regression therapist Bre Hibbs to explore the fascinating relationship between trauma, the nervous system, body memory, and healing beyond the physical body.

Together, they discuss the idea that our bodies may store not only physical trauma, but also emotional experiences, subconscious conditioning, stress patterns, and even energetic imprints that continue influencing our health, behavior, pain, and recovery long after an event has passed.

The conversation explores:

• How trauma can become “stored” in the body
• The connection between chronic pain and emotional stress
• Somatic awareness and nervous system regulation
• Dissociation and feeling disconnected from the body
• Why some people remain “stuck” despite trying many therapies
• The role of subconscious conditioning in health and behavior
• Meditation, energy awareness, and subtle body practices
• How slowing down and reconnecting with the body may support healing

Bre also shares insights from her work in somatic healing, meditation-based regression therapy, and yoga, including practical ways people can begin developing a deeper awareness of their own body and nervous system.

This episode offers a compassionate and expansive perspective on healing—one that bridges neuroscience, somatics, consciousness, and the wisdom of the body.

If you’re navigating post-concussion syndrome, chronic symptoms, or trauma stored in the body, listen through and see what lands. Subscribe for more concussion recovery conversations, share this with someone who feels stuck, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Prana Maya Resort Wellness Retreats

Breyn Hibbs: LinkedIn - updates to workshops and courses

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Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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Brain fog, mood swings, dizziness, sleep problems, carb cravings, that awful midday crash. If you’ve lived through concussion recovery or post-concussion syndrome, you know how quickly symptoms can become a full-time job. We sit down with Dr. Ashkan Jalili to make a different kind of case: many stubborn concussion symptoms track back to a metabolic dysfunction, especially dysregulated glucose delivery in the brain, and until you address fuel, neurotransmitters can’t “do their job” the way you need them to.

Dr. Jalili shares his own story, from being hit by a car as a pedestrian to years of headaches, fainting, seizures, and an identity crisis after losing soccer. We talk about why some cases are missed when imaging looks normal, how cervicogenic vasovagal syncope and dysautonomia can show up after whiplash, and why a purely symptom-based approach often leaves people stuck. From there, we dig into functional neurology and functional medicine basics, including metabolic flexibility, ketones, glucose regulation, and why massive supplement stacks can turn into expensive urine if the underlying fuel system is failing.

We also break down the thinking behind CereFlex AM/PM, designed as separate morning performance and nighttime recovery support. You’ll hear specifics on acetylcholine support (including why sage matters), dopamine and serotonin pathways, GABA support, and why sleep quality and deep sleep can be the “winner” that changes everything the next day. We cover timing, ramping doses, and real contraindications, including SSRIs and blood thinners, because safety matters as much as hope.

If this helped you think differently about concussion recovery, subscribe, share the episode with someone who’s struggling, and leave a review so more people can find practical, evidence-informed support.

Canadian Brain Performance & Neuroplasticity Center: website

CereFlex AM/PM and the NeuroSync Protocol: website

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Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

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Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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Your autonomic nervous system isn’t “just stressed,” and dysautonomia isn’t a single, one-size-fits-all box. We zoom out from symptom labels and zoom in on mechanisms: how the brain senses the body, builds an internal map, and then uses that map to regulate heart rate, blood flow, digestion, sweating, temperature, and even hormone feedback loops.

We talk neurocardiology in plain language, including why the brain controls the heart beat by beat, how the cerebellum helps automate autonomic function, and why a disconnect can show up as tachycardia or rhythm issues. We also dig into the insular cortex and interoception, including why some people feel a pounding heartbeat even when their heart rate is normal and what that can reveal about nervous system signaling.

From there, we connect functional neurology with acupuncture and Chinese medicine concepts, focusing on objective feedback like pulse shifts, sensory tingling, motor twitches, and vasomotor changes. We also get real about treatment: why “try this medication” is common, how paradoxical responses can happen (even when blood pressure looks better), and why measuring outcomes like cerebral blood flow can change the entire plan. If you’re dealing with POTS, post-concussion syndrome, or chronic autonomic symptoms, you’ll leave with a clearer way to organize your timeline, ask sharper questions, and pursue strategies that match your physiology.

Subscribe for more neuroscience-informed recovery conversations, share this with someone stuck in the trial-and-error loop and a huge thank you for leaving us a review!

Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359

Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

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Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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What if the missing piece in concussion recovery isn’t just the brain—but blood flow to the brain?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nate Keiser to explore how real-time measurement of brain blood flow is changing the way we understand persistent post-concussion symptoms, dysautonomia, and neurological recovery. Using advanced tools like transcranial Doppler ultrasound and CO₂ monitoring, we break down how the brain regulates circulation—and why that system often fails after injury.

We dive into the role of carbon dioxide as a key driver of blood flow, why breathing patterns matter more than you think, and how subtle dysfunctions in these reflexes can leave patients stuck, despite doing “all the right things.”

If you’ve been struggling with dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, or unexplained crashes after activity, this episode will give you a completely new lens on what may be happening—and what can actually help.

If you’re navigating concussion recovery, dysautonomia, or exercise intolerance, subscribe for part two, share this with someone who feels stuck, and leave a review so more patients can find it.

Dr. Keiser: website

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Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

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Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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In this episode of Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast, I sit down with trauma surgeon and researcher Dr. Vishal Bansal to explore what may become the first-ever FDA-approved pharmaceutical treatment for concussion.

Despite how common concussions are, there is currently no approved medical treatment—leaving patients with rest, symptom management, and uncertainty. But what if that’s about to change?

Dr. Bansal shares the fascinating story behind a groundbreaking discovery: a gut-derived hormone called ghrelin, traditionally known as the “hunger hormone,” may play a powerful role in brain repair, neuroplasticity, memory, and recovery after traumatic brain injury .

Together, we explore:

• Why concussion has been so difficult to treat
• The connection between the ghrelin hormone and brain injury
• How ghrelin supports mitochondrial function, reduces oxidative stress, and promotes neuron repair
• The potential for a treatment that works in both the acute and subacute phases of concussion
• Why current clinical trials focus on symptoms—not just biomarkers
• The future of concussion care and what this could mean for patients, athletes, and clinicians

This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how a scientific insight evolves into a potential life-changing therapy—and what it takes to bring a new brain treatment to market.

🔬 About Dr. Vishal Bansal

Dr. Bansal is a trauma surgeon, researcher, and co-founder of Oxeia Biopharmaceuticals. His work focuses on the physiological response to brain injury and developing innovative treatments to improve outcomes after concussion.

Oxeia Biopharmaceuticals: website

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY in Oxeia Biopharmaceuticals: startengine.com

If you or someone you love is struggling with concussion or post-concussion syndrome, this conversation will give you hope, clarity, and a glimpse into the future of recovery.

Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359

Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

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Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.

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A “mild” hearing loss sounds harmless until you hear the data: it can raise the risk of cognitive decline and dementia by 200%. I sit down with Dr. Keith Darrow PhD, CCC-A, neuroscientist and clinical audiologist, to connect the dots between hearing loss and brain health and to explain why treating hearing loss shows up again and again as a top modifiable dementia risk factor in major research reviews.

We also get practical about what good care actually looks like. Dr. Darrow breaks down why so many people struggle with speech in background noise, why basic beep-only tests can miss real problems, and how prescription-grade hearing aids differ from over-the-counter devices when you care about outcomes like cognitive performance, fall risk, and tinnitus relief. If you or a loved one has ever seemed “withdrawn” or “down,” we talk through how hearing loss can mimic depression and early cognitive decline and why a thorough evaluation can clarify what’s really going on.

If you’re navigating concussion recovery or traumatic brain injury, this conversation gets even more relevant. We cover extended high-frequency hearing loss after TBI, tinnitus as a neurologic “phantom sound,” anxiety and sleep disruption, and hyperacusis (sound sensitivity) plus how gradual sound exposure can rebuild tolerance. We also touch on emerging tinnitus research, including where transcranial magnetic stimulation stands today.

If this helped you, subscribe for more evidence-based concussion and brain health conversations, share it with someone who keeps saying “I hear fine,” and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Dr. Keith Darrow's Resources and Links:

https://mytinnitusnumber.org/

https://excellenceinaudiology.org/

Free Book: Preventing Decline

Free Book: Silenced. The Medical Treatment of Tinnitus

Dr. Darrow's YouTube Channel

Dr. Darrow LinkedIn

Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359

Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!

Follow us on YouTube & Instagram @lifeafterimpact

Website: lifeafterimpact.com

Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.