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Repetitive Brain Trauma, Sleep, and the Hidden Risks Facing Young Athletes
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What happens when brain trauma starts earlier than we realize—and recovery never truly begins?
In this episode of The Broken Brains Podcast, host Bruce Parkman sits down with neurobiologist Dr. Allison Breger to examine the growing crisis of repetitive brain trauma in youth sports and military environments. They explore how repeated head impacts, poor sleep, and cumulative exposure affect mental health, neurobiology, and long-term brain function.
This conversation highlights the risks facing young athletes—especially in gymnastics and non-contact sports—the overlooked role of sleep in brain recovery, and why year-round training without off-seasons may be setting children up for lifelong neurological challenges. Dr. Breger also shares insights from research in extreme environments, emphasizing how environmental stressors compound brain trauma and recovery demands.
This episode is a call for prevention, smarter training, and better mental health protections—especially for developing brains.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts
📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.
Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation
Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today!
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL
CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!
https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Repetitive Brain Trauma
02:51 The Journey into Neurobiology
05:30 The Impact of Sports on Mental Health
08:20 Understanding Concussions in Non-Contact Sports
11:25 Military Operations and Brain Trauma
13:57 Protecting Developing Brains in Sports
16:48 Environmental Impacts on Human Performance
19:45 The Importance of Sleep in Recovery
22:25 Long-Term Effects of Concussions
28:21 Conclusion and Future Directions
29:32 Understanding Brain Trauma and Methylation
30:56 The Impact of Youth Sports on Mental Health
34:10 Gender Differences in Sports Injuries
36:49 NCAA Mental Health Initiatives
39:54 The Correlation Between Sports and Suicide Rates
40:44 Fascinating Studies and Personal Accomplishments
Connect with Dr. Brager today.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-brager-80a58210/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docjockzzz/
Produced by Security Halt Media
View all episodes
By Bruce ParkmanSend us a text
What happens when brain trauma starts earlier than we realize—and recovery never truly begins?
In this episode of The Broken Brains Podcast, host Bruce Parkman sits down with neurobiologist Dr. Allison Breger to examine the growing crisis of repetitive brain trauma in youth sports and military environments. They explore how repeated head impacts, poor sleep, and cumulative exposure affect mental health, neurobiology, and long-term brain function.
This conversation highlights the risks facing young athletes—especially in gymnastics and non-contact sports—the overlooked role of sleep in brain recovery, and why year-round training without off-seasons may be setting children up for lifelong neurological challenges. Dr. Breger also shares insights from research in extreme environments, emphasizing how environmental stressors compound brain trauma and recovery demands.
This episode is a call for prevention, smarter training, and better mental health protections—especially for developing brains.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts
📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.
Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation
Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today!
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL
CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!
https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Repetitive Brain Trauma
02:51 The Journey into Neurobiology
05:30 The Impact of Sports on Mental Health
08:20 Understanding Concussions in Non-Contact Sports
11:25 Military Operations and Brain Trauma
13:57 Protecting Developing Brains in Sports
16:48 Environmental Impacts on Human Performance
19:45 The Importance of Sleep in Recovery
22:25 Long-Term Effects of Concussions
28:21 Conclusion and Future Directions
29:32 Understanding Brain Trauma and Methylation
30:56 The Impact of Youth Sports on Mental Health
34:10 Gender Differences in Sports Injuries
36:49 NCAA Mental Health Initiatives
39:54 The Correlation Between Sports and Suicide Rates
40:44 Fascinating Studies and Personal Accomplishments
Connect with Dr. Brager today.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-brager-80a58210/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docjockzzz/
Produced by Security Halt Media