An estimated 3.8 million concussions happen annually in America, yet up to half may go unreported and untreated.1 As one of the most frequent forms of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), they can have serious consequences, including long-term brain changes and neurodegeneration, especially when left unmanaged.
Concussions disrupt the brain’s ability to produce and use energy. Recovery relies on restoring that balance, and recent research suggests creatine may be fundamental to supporting this process.
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a reminder to take a more active approach to brain health. In this article, we’ll explore what happens in the brain after a concussion, how creatine supports recovery, plus insights from athlete and brain-health advocate Travis Macy on using creatine post-concussion.
Why Concussions Deserve Serious Attention
A concussion is a form of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when a blow, jolt, or sudden movement causes the brain to shift inside the skull. This can happen during sports, falls, car accidents, or even seemingly small impacts.
While technically labeled “mild,” concussions should not be taken lightly. Research shows that TBIs, even mild ones, can increase the risk of long-term neurological changes such as dementia later in life.2
Common concussion symptoms include:3
- Headaches
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Memory issues
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Mood changes, such as irritability or anxiety
These symptoms indicate that the brain is struggling to function and recover. Many people improve within a few weeks after injury, however, that’s not the case for everyone.
What Happens to the Brain After a Concussion: The Energy Crisis
Up to one-third of individuals who experience a concussion suffer symptoms long after the injury, and even measurable cognitive impairment can begin to show as early as three months post-concussion.4 Here’s what happens to the brain following an injury.
Initial Response (Seconds to Days)
When the brain rapidly moves inside the skull, it alters normal brain cell function, triggering what’s known as the “neurometabolic cascade.”5 Brain cells become overactive, increasing their energy demand, while blood flow decreases, limiting the supply of oxygen and glucose needed to meet that demand. This creates an immediate energy deficit. As cells struggle to restore balance, energy production becomes less efficient, and oxidative stress and inflammation accumulate.
This chaotic chain of events interferes with the brain’s processes, resulting in symptoms such as those described above.3
Ongoing Effects (Days to Weeks and Months)
This is a key time for post-concussion recovery. In the days and weeks following injury, the brain continues to work to restore balance, but energy production often remains insufficient. This can make the brain more vulnerable and slower to heal.
Symptoms can be most noticeable during this time, including headaches, fatigue, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and mood changes.6 While these symptoms improve for many, others continue to experience them for weeks or months after the initial injury.
Long-Term Impacts and Repeated Injury
Even after symptoms improve, the brain may still be healing. Research shows that changes in brain function can persist for months — sometimes up to a year — after a concussion.7
Continued disruptions in energy production and brain function can lead to prolonged symptoms and cognitive changes. In some cases, traumatic brain injury has also been connected to an increased risk of neurodegenerative conditions, including dementia.8 Repeated concussions further increase this risk. When the brain is injured again before it has fully recovered, the effects can accumulate, leading to more persistent symptoms and greater long-term impact.9 This can be common in those who participate in high impact sports like football or boxing.
Creatine for Concussion Symptoms and Recovery
Concussion-induced energy deficits can slow healing — but creatine may help restore cellular energy, supporting brain function during recovery.
Addresses the Brain’s Immediate Energy Needs
After a concussion, the brain faces a gap between energy demand and supply. Creatine helps regenerate ATP via the phosphocreatine system, allowing cells to preserve energy levels when production is impaired. Research suggests this can help buffer the energy deficit that occurs within this critical window following injury.10
Experimental studies also indicate that creatine can preserve ATP levels and support mitochondrial function after traumatic brain injury, showing a stabilizing effect on brain metabolism.11
In addition to energy disruption, brain injury triggers excess glutamate release, which overstimulates neurons and leads to calcium overload — a process known as excitotoxicity. This can damage cells and contribute to secondary injury. Studies show that creatine can reduce excitotoxic damage and improve cell survival.12
Helps Reduce Oxidative Stress and Brain Inflammation After Head Injury
In the days and weeks following injury, the brain remains vulnerable to oxidative stress and poor energy production. Creatine has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and brain injury-related damage while supporting mitochondrial function, helping support cellular function during recovery.13
By improving energy availability, creatine also promotes cognitive processes. Studies in traumatic brain injury models indicate reduced tissue damage and improvements in memory and cognitive performance with supplementation.10,14
Supports Neuroprotection After Concussion and Beyond
The brain can continue to experience disruptions in energy metabolism even after symptoms improve. Creatine supports ATP production over time, which is critical for cognitive function and repair.10,15 This sustained support has been associated with improvements in memory, processing speed, and mental fatigue — all commonly affected after concussion.16 Studies also suggest that creatine may improve cellular resilience as well as protect against ongoing metabolic stress following injury.17
If you want a deeper look at how creatine fuels the brain, read our full breakdown of creatine and brain energy.
Learn more about how to support energy for your cognitive health when you follow these simple, daily habits in our FREE 12-page guide: 7 Everyday Practices for Better Brain Energy.
Travis Macy: How Creatine Shaped His Cognitive Recovery after Concussion
Ultra endurance athlete Travis Macy is no stranger to the amazing things the human body can achieve — and upon his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, he sought to reach new heights in brain health, as well. Macy has become a brain-health advocate, hoping to help maintain his father’s cognitive strength and reduce his own risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Macy recently suffered a serious concussion in a mountain biking accident. His meticulous approach to cognitive preservation shaped his healing journey as he discovered the mounting studies on creatine for post-concussion symptoms and recovery. When he added creatine to his daily regimen, he noticed significant improvements in brain function and healing. Check out his story below:
Travis Macy is also a podcast host for the SKIMO GOLD podcast, droppng you into the high-altitude, high-stakes world of ski mountaineering. Join Travis Macy on SKIMO GOLD by visiting here.
REVANTA Creatine and Concussion Recovery Support
Travis Macy takes REVANTA Creatine twice daily for concussion recovery and overall brain protection. Formulated specifically with brain health in mind, REVANTA uses high quality creatine monohydrate, the most studied and effective form of creatine. Each serving provides 5 grams of fast-dissolving creatine, making it easy to add to your everyday routine — just mix it into your drink of choice!
REVANTA offers a highly bioavailable formula, with more than 95% absorbed into the bloodstream. It is also exceptionally pure, manufactured under rigorous quality controls, and free from additives, flavors, and artificial ingredients. Plus, our creatine fits most dietary requirements as it is vegan, gluten-free, GMO-free, and free from major allergens. To learn more about REVANTA Creatine, and add it to your concussion recovery or general brain health routine, visit here.
Recovering from a concussion requires additional support. Some research presents that higher intake (up to 10 grams daily) may be beneficial during recovery, but it’s important to follow medical guidance and your provider’s recommendations.10
Creatine and Brain Energy Support
Concussions are more than a short-term injury — they can have lasting effects on brain health, especially when recovery is incomplete. This March, during Brain Injury Awareness Month, it’s a reminder to take concussion recovery seriously and support the brain through every stage of healing. Growing evidence highlights creatine as an effective tool for supporting energy production, cellular protection, and recovery following traumatic brain injury.
References:
1. Hallock, H. et al. Sport-Related Concussion. Neurol. Clin. Pract. 13, (2023).
2. Shively, S., Scher, A. I., Perl, D. P. & Diaz-Arrastia, R. Dementia Resulting From Traumatic Brain Injury. Arch. Neurol. 69, (2012).
3. Scorza, K. A. & Cole, W. Current Concepts in Concussion: Initial Evaluation and Management. Am. Fam. Physician 99, 426–434 (2019).
4. Haarbauer-Krupa, J. et al. Epidemiology of Chronic Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury. J. Neurotrauma 38, 3235–3247 (2021).
5. Giza, C. C. & Hovda, D. A. The New Neurometabolic Cascade of Concussion. Neurosurgery 75, S24–S33 (2014).
6. Levin, H. S. & Diaz-Arrastia, R. R. Diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical management of mild traumatic brain injury. Lancet Neurol. 14, 506–517 (2015).
7. Churchill, N. W., Hutchison, M. G., Graham, S. J. & Schweizer, T. A. Mapping brain recovery after concussion. Neurology 93, (2019).
8. Shively, S., Scher, A. I., Perl, D. P. & Diaz-Arrastia, R. Dementia Resulting From Traumatic Brain Injury. Arch. Neurol. 69, (2012).
9. McKee, A. C., Alosco, M. L. & Huber, B. R. Repetitive Head Impacts and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. 27, 529–535 (2016).
10. Ainsley Dean, P. J., Arikan, G., Opitz, B. & Sterr, A. Potential for use of creatine supplementation following mild traumatic brain injury. Concussion 2, CNC34 (2017).
11. Scheff, S. W. & Dhillon, H. S. Creatine-Enhanced Diet Alters Levels of Lactate and Free Fatty Acids After Experimental Brain Injury. Neurochem. Res. 29, 469–479 (2004).
12. Genius, J. et al. Creatine Protects against Excitoxicity in an In Vitro Model of Neurodegeneration. PLoS One 7, e30554 (2012).
13. Conti, F., McCue, J. J., DiTuro, P., Galpin, A. J. & Wood, T. R. Mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review of Supplementation and Dietary Protocols. Nutrients 16, 2430 (2024).
14. Dolan, E., Gualano, B. & Rawson, E. S. Beyond muscle: the effects of creatine supplementation on brain creatine, cognitive processing, and traumatic brain injury. Eur. J. Sport Sci. 19, 1–14 (2019).
15. Forbes, S. C. et al. Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Brain Function and Health. Nutrients 14, 921 (2022).
16. Giraldo, J. E. et al. Neuroprotective effects of creatine supplementation in mild TBI management among contact sport athletes: A scoping review. J. Int. Soc. Sports Nutr. 22, (2025).
17. Candow, D. G. et al. “Heads Up” for Creatine Supplementation and its Potential Applications for Brain Health and Function. Sports Medicine 53, 49–65 (2023).