{"id":20453,"date":"2023-10-09T14:37:44","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T19:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/?p=20453"},"modified":"2023-10-09T14:37:46","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T19:37:46","slug":"does-bjj-cause-brain-damage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/does-bjj-cause-brain-damage\/","title":{"rendered":"Does BJJ Cause Brain Damage?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Brain damage has long been considered a worry only for boxers, whose trade is punching people in the head. In recent years, studies have shown that many more athletes, like soccer and water polo players, suffer from concussions and brain damage, even those that would seem much safer. But where does BJJ fit in terms of brain damage probability?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to training and competition, BJJ practitioners are at a very low risk of brain damage. Losing consciousness due to strangulation is relatively safe for most people and does not cause lasting damage. The other factor is concussions, which are relatively light and rare in grappling.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Worrying about brain damage is completely normal, and investigating the possibility of suffering trauma is something every practitioner should do. Here is what I have found on the topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brazilian jiu-jitsu, in general, does not cause brain damage. However, there is a slight chance for brain damage to happen either by getting unconscious due to strangulation or by getting a concussion as a result of a hit to the head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s first look at the most obvious method: concussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Concussions are rare in jiu-jitsu but are still possible. Striking of all kinds is not allowed, which makes the sport safer than other combat sports, especially striking ones, but BJJ is still a contact sport, and the head can suffer a hit or two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sweeps, takedowns, throws, or jerky movements on the ground are all opportunities for a head to clash with hard bones or the mat hard enough to get concussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Concussions are classified as TBI or traumatic brain injuries. Light-to-mild concussions, or even more severe ones, usually heal with time and leave no lasting damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The real issues arise with the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which leads to dire and permanent consequences like decreased memory, changes in mood, and overall mental problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luckily, CTE usually does not occur from a single incident but only after repeated head trauma, especially when the brain receives a blow before recovering from a previous concussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means it\u2019s important to recognize and address concussions as soon as they happen. Here are the common concussion symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a concussion, the best course of action is to rest from training and intense mental and physical work. The amount of rest time entirely depends on the severity of the concussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CTE is a serious condition, but luckily, we BJJ practitioners are not at high risk. Even if the occasional knock to the head is inevitable, the frequency and power are seldom enough to cause lasting damage. Boxers have always had to battle the plague of CTE, and the condition is also known as boxer\u2019s dementia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Athletes from other contact sports like football, rugby, and hockey are also at high risk. The likelihood is low for grapplers, but always keep it in mind because the studies of CTE in BJJ are few and inconclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am not worried about getting brain damage from strikes in BJJ, but what about the chokes we must often endure?<\/p>\n\n\n\nDoes BJJ Cause Brain Damage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Does Getting Choked Out Cause Brain Damage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n