Understanding the Damage
The Secondary Injury Cascade
When a traumatic brain injury occurs, the initial impact causes immediate physical damage. But what happens in the hours and days after is equally destructive, if not more so.
The primary impact tears axons (neural connections), damages cell membranes, and causes bleeding. This triggers neuroinflammation - your immune system floods the area with inflammatory molecules. Simultaneously, excitotoxicity sets in: damaged neurons release excessive glutamate, which over-stimulates surrounding neurons, causing them to die even though they weren't directly damaged.
This is compounded by mitochondrial dysfunction. Injured neurons can't produce enough ATP. Oxidative stress increases dramatically as reactive oxygen species accumulate. Cell death cascades continue, sometimes for months.
"The brain's response to injury can be as destructive as the injury itself."
This is where peptide therapy becomes critical. By reducing inflammation, protecting neurons from excitotoxicity, supporting mitochondrial function, and promoting neuronal regeneration, peptides can interrupt this cascade and give your brain the opportunity to rebuild.