IT’S NOT JUST CONCUSSIONS: Athletes’ Brains (272)

IT’S NOT JUST CONCUSSIONS: What Years of Hits May Be Doing to Athletes’ Brains

What are years of repeated hits doing to athletes’ brains?

Dominique and Erica explore CTE, repetitive head impacts (RHI), NFL brain injuries, soccer heading and new 2026 research on long-term brain health.

From professional athletes to youth sports, the concussion may only be the injury we notice.

HASHTAGS: #SpillTheTeaWithDE, #CTE, #ChronicTraumaticEncephalopathy, #RepetitiveHeadImpacts, #RHI, #Concussions, #BrainHealth, #SportsMedicine, #FootballSafety, #NFL, #YouthFootball, #Soccer, #SoccerSafety, #YouthSports, #AthleteSafety, #HeadInjuries, #BrainInjuryAwareness, #SportsParents, #StudentAthletes, #ContactSports, #Neuroscience, #ProtectTheBrain, #SportsSafety

MUSIC CREDIT: Music used in Spill the Tea with D & E is copyrighted and provided by Santa Barbara Wellness Center, Inc. All rights reserved.

PRODUCTION NOTES

Hosts: Dominique Hackett & Erica

Produced in association with: Santa Barbara Wellness Center, Inc.

Fact-Check Date: August 26, 2026

Primary Research Discussed: The September 2024 JAMA Neurology research involving 1,980 former NFL players, including the finding that approximately 34.4% believed they had CTE. This statistic represents self-reported belief, not confirmed diagnoses of CTE. The episode also discusses research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in July 2026 involving former elite professional soccer players with histories of repetitive head impacts.

Important Scientific Context: CTE currently requires examination of brain tissue after death for definitive diagnosis. Symptoms sometimes associated with suspected CTE can overlap with treatable conditions including depression, sleep disorders, chronic pain, hormonal problems, cardiovascular conditions, medication effects and other neurological disorders.

Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or provide individualized medical advice. Anyone experiencing changes in memory, mood, behavior, cognition or neurological function should consult an appropriate licensed healthcare professional rather than assuming those symptoms are caused by CTE.

Producer Note: The purpose of this episode is not to discourage participation in athletics. It is to encourage informed conversations about safer practices, appropriate medical evaluation, recovery, reducing unnecessary repetitive head impacts and protecting athletes at every level of competition.

🌿🍵 The Last Sip 🍵🌿 Before we put the kettle away and head back into the adventure of everyday life, we’d like to leave you with one final thought:

Wellness isn’t something you buy. It’s something you build. One conversation, one healthy choice, one act of kindness, one deep breath, and sometimes one cup of tea at a time.

If today’s conversation