Has Your Head Injury Contributed To Your Mental Health Issues? - Change Your Brain Every Day

Summary4 min read

Episode Overview

Theme:
In this episode of Change Your Brain Every Day, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen examine the often-overlooked impact of head injuries on mental health. Drawing on clinical experience, brain imaging research, and patient stories, they discuss how even past minor head traumas can contribute significantly to issues like depression, memory loss, addiction, and focus problems—and, more importantly, how the brain can heal with proper intervention.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Biological Reality of Brain Vulnerability

Brain fragility:
Dr. Amen kicks off the episode with a vivid analogy:

“Your brain is soft—about the consistency of soft butter. And your skull is really hard with multiple sharp bony ridges.” (00:14)
He explains that this mismatch makes the brain susceptible to injury, even from comparatively mild blows.

The Prevalence and Risks of Head Trauma

Undetected, lingering effects:
Head injuries—even those from decades earlier—are a major hidden cause of a range of mental health issues.
Study spotlight:

“A study from the Mayo Clinic found that 1/3 of people who played football at any level had lasting brain damage.” (00:29)
Personal experience:
Dr. Amen shares,

“Oh no. I played football in high school and it showed when I scanned myself. But my scan was much better 20 years later from doing the things I'm telling you.” (00:36) Tana responds with encouragement, highlighting the possibility of improvement.

Head Injury Hot Zones: Frontal Lobes and Hippocampus

Brain regions at risk:

“On SPECT, we often see that head trauma affects the front part of the brain. So people struggle with focus and decision making. And it affects the hippocampus because Scarlett and Sam sit right next to two sharp bony ridges.” (00:46)
- The frontal cortex: Affects focus and decision-making abilities.
- The hippocampus: Key for memory, often affected due to its physical location.

The Good News: Brain Resilience and Recovery

Hope after head injury:

“If you've had a head injury, the good news is that there are many things you can do to help it heal, even years later.” (01:00)
Groundbreaking studies:
The Amen Clinics conducted the largest brain imaging study on NFL players; damage was common but not permanent.

"...on our memory rescue program, 80% of our players showed significant improvement in blood flow, memory, attention, mood and sleep." (01:15)

Memorable Patient Stories

Anthony Davis, Football Legend

Background:
Hall of Fame running back known for his legendary college football career.
Symptoms pre-intervention:
Memory loss, confusion, irritability.
Recovery journey:

“But by doing everything we prescribed, including taking a multiple vitamin, high dose omega 3s and other brain boosting nutrients, he felt better within a matter of weeks. And 10 years later, his follow up scan continues to show improvement.” (01:32)
Key takeaway:
Persistent brain healing and improvement are possible over the long term with proper care.

Mercedes Maidana, Big Wave Surfer

Injury context:
Serious concussion surfing a 30-foot wave.
Post-injury symptoms:
Anxiety, depression, memory problems.
Healing protocol:

“Her scan showed low activity in her right hippocampus. But by changing her diet, taking targeted supplements and doing hyperbaric oxygen therapy today, she is happier, thriving and leading health retreats for women.” (01:49)
Take-home message:
With a holistic, brain-focused approach, even severe injury consequences can be reversed.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

Dr. Daniel Amen:

“Your brain is soft—about the consistency of soft butter. And your skull is really hard with multiple sharp bony ridges.” (00:14)
Dr. Daniel Amen:

“A study from the Mayo Clinic found that 1/3 of people who played football at any level had lasting brain damage.” (00:29)
Dr. Daniel Amen:

“On SPECT, we often see that head trauma affects the front part of the brain. So people struggle with focus and decision making.” (00:46)
Dr. Daniel Amen:

“If you've had a head injury, the good news is that there are many things you can do to help it heal, even years later.” (01:00)
Dr. Daniel Amen:

“80% of our players showed significant improvement in blood flow, memory, attention, mood and sleep.” (01:15)

Actionable Insights

Even old head injuries may be at the root of current mental health struggles.
Brain imaging can identify areas affected by trauma and help guide tailored healing protocols.
Healing strategies (as demonstrated by Anthony Davis and Mercedes Maidana) include:
- Targeted supplements (e.g., high-dose omega-3s, multivitamins)
- Dietary changes
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Consistent monitoring and follow-up

Final Thoughts

Dr. Amen and Tana Amen deliver a compelling, evidence-based argument that many unresolved mental health symptoms could stem from undiagnosed head injuries. Their message is one of hope:

“If you put the brain in a healing environment, it can get better.” (02:02)
Listeners are empowered to seek assessment and adopt science-backed interventions, knowing that healing is possible—no matter how long ago the injury occurred.

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[00:02]
A
Every day you are making your brain better or you are making it worse. Stay with us to learn how you can change your brain for the better every day. The H in Bright minds is for head trauma. Your brain is soft about the consistency of soft butter. And your skull is really hard with multiple sharp bony ridges. Head injuries, even mild ones that occurred decades earlier, are a major cause of depression, addictions and memory problems. A study from the Mayo Clinic found that 1/3 of people who played football at any level had lasting brain damage. Oh no. I played football in high school and it showed when I scanned myself. But my scan was much better 20 years later from doing the things I'm telling you. I love that. On spect, we often see that head trauma affects the front part of the brain. So people struggle with focus and decision making. And it affects the hippocampus because Scarlett and Sam sit right next to two sharp bony ridges. If you've had a head injury, the good news is that there are many things you can do to help it heal, even years later. Amen. Clinics did the first and largest brain imaging study on active and retired NFL players. The level of damage was alarming. But what really excited us was on our memory rescue program, 80% of our players showed significant improvement in blood flow, memory, attention, mood and sleep. Here is Anthony Davis, the Hall of Fame running back from USC. He is called the Notre Dame Killer because in 1972 he scored six touchdowns against the University of Notre Dame. When I saw him at 54, he had clear evidence of brain damage. He struggled with memory loss, periods of confusion and irritability. But by doing everything we prescribed, including taking a multiple vitamin, high dose omega 3s and other brain boosting nutrients, he felt better within a matter of weeks. And 10 years later, his follow up scan continues to show improvement. Mercedes Maidana is another great example. She is a famous big wave surfer, motivational speaker and life coach from Argentina. She suffered a serious concussion surfing a 30 foot wave off the coast of Oregon. Subsequently, she suffered from anxiety, depression and memory problems. Her scan showed low activity in her right hippocampus. But by changing her diet, taking targeted supplements and doing hyperbaric oxygen therapy today, she is happier, thriving and leading health retreats for women. If you put the brain in a healing environment, it can get better.