NeuroTalk Support Groups - Mechanism of cognitive symptoms related to a whiplash neck injury

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho (Post 1254527)

Here is a saying in science, "Correlation does not indicate causation."

You perceived improvement in cognitive function may have nothing to do with your anger explosion. Or, it could be that your brain hormones and such surged. Your combat sports may have conditioned your brain to release endorphins that can heighten mental function when you get stimulated by physical activity. Nobody can say.

By brain chemistry, I am referring to any of the chemical functions in the brain and how they cause toxic residue. Every metabolic function has its waste products. Repeated or high intensity stresses can overwhelm the brains toxin elimination system and cause brain dysfunction.

It is similar when one works out at the gym or goes for a hard run, the intense muscle use causes lactic acid to build up. The lactic acid clears from the muscles with just moderate muscle use.

The toxins in the brain only clear during a specific stage of sleep. If you are not experiencing enough slow wave sleep for the amount of waste produced, the brain can remain polluted. It struggles to use nutrients when it is congested with waste products. This is not a damaged condition.

Stress, physical or emotional stress, increases the production of these waste products that need to be cleared.

-I'm pretty sure it's a causation, it happened three times in a row.
I was thinking it may be due to increased blood flow to the brain when enraged, it's possible?

-How can I know if I am going through the necessary /specific stage of sleep to eliminate toxins?

I would bet the rage creates more of an adrenaline rush than improved blood flow. It would be like an energy drink or hit of caffeine. A rush of blood pressure pushing blood to your head would not last long and often include a headache or sense of pressure that would subside as soon as your blood pressure returned to normal. Adrenaline can last for hours and have residual effects.

Do you consume caffeine?

If you are getting good sleep with all of the stages, you would wake up refreshed and ready to start your day. You would likely have good dreams and remember them. If your dreams are stressful, that would suggest poor quality sleep.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho (Post 1254546)

-I usually drink coca cola after eating.

-I wake up sad and devoid of energy, but I tought that is due to the sadness because of the relapse. I was very happy and motivated to start the day before the relapse.
I think it's worth to note that during the almost three months in which I was fine, I had trouble falling asleep and remaining asleep, my sleep was mostly fractured.
But since the outburst of november 1st I started to suddenly feel the urge to sleep a lot and I started to sleep without problems/interruption, this even before the actual relapse (which gradually started to manifest itself one or two days after the outburst and reached it's peak around 5 or 6 november).
What do you think about that?

Also, the fact that I'm able to sleep 8-9 hours without problems means that my brain is getting trough the phase that he needs to detoxify itself?

Quantity of sleep does not make up for quality of sleep. Tiredness is a body function that quantity can help. Sleepiness is a brain function that needs quality sleep. If you are waking up feeling lethargic with a need to sleep during the day, it suggest you are not getting quality sleep. The stages of sleep are repeated many times through the night. Proper breathing is necessary for quality sleep.

Caffeine can challenge the struggling brain. Experts suggest only one serving of caffeine per day in the morning or mid-day.

Recover is a big picture issue. Tracking symptoms in the short term is not helpful. Week to week tracking is OK but day to day tracking is not helpful. It just feeds anxiety.