Understanding Concussion Recovery: What Really Happens in the Brain?

Have you or someone you love ever had a concussion? If so... did you truly understand what was happening in your brain?

Most people don’t.

Concussions are one of the most misunderstood injuries out there. Outdated advice... misinformation... a general lack of awareness—it all leads to confusion and unnecessary suffering. And when you don’t have the right information, it’s easy to take the wrong approach in those early critical phases of recovery.

So, let’s set the record straight. Here’s what actually happens in the brain during and after a concussion, and how you can support your healing at every stage of the journey.

What Actually Happens in the Brain During a Concussion?

A concussion isn’t just a “bump on the head”... it’s a functional brain injury. When your brain experiences a sudden force—whether from direct impact or a rapid whiplash-like motion—the delicate neural connections inside get stretched and disrupted. This sets off a chain reaction of metabolic changes... inflammation, decreased blood flow, and an energy crisis inside the brain.

That’s why symptoms like dizziness, brain fog, nausea, and headaches show up... your brain is struggling to keep up with normal function while it’s in this fragile state.

And here’s where most people go wrong: they either try to “push through” and make things worse... or they rest too much and delay recovery. The key? Understanding the different phases of concussion recovery and what your brain actually needs at each stage.

The Three Phases of Concussion Recovery

1.Acute Phase (0-48 hours)
Your brain is in full-on crisis mode. It needs protection and strategic rest... not complete isolation, but definitely no heavy stimulation. The goal here is symptom stabilization—reducing excessive sensory input and avoiding anything that spikes symptoms too aggressively.

➡️ What to do: Rest, but don’t shut yourself away in a dark room. Stay hydrated, get proper nutrition, and avoid intense physical or mental exertion. Small, controlled exposure to light and sound is actually good for recovery.

2. Subacute Phase (2 days - 4 weeks)
This is where things start to get tricky... and where most people either stall or make their symptoms worse. Your brain is not fully healed yet, but it’s ready to start re-engaging with normal life—gradually. If you stay in “rest mode” for too long, you’ll decondition your nervous system and prolong symptoms.

➡️ What to do: Gentle, progressive rehab. Controlled movement, visual and vestibular exercises, and gradually increasing mental stimulation. Work with your symptoms—not against them. This is also when you should be connecting with a concussion-literate provider to get on a personalized recovery plan.

3. Persistent Phase (4+ weeks)
If symptoms are lingering, it means something deeper is going on. Maybe your autonomic nervous system is dysregulated... maybe your visual or vestibular system is struggling to reintegrate... maybe your energy systems need targeted rehab. Whatever the case, this is where structured treatment is key.

➡️ What to do: Get assessed by someone who actually understands concussion rehab. Target your specific deficits, whether that’s autonomics, reflex integration, or vestibular function. Don’t rely on generic advice—get a plan that works for you.

Recovery Doesn’t Mean “Waiting It Out”

The biggest myth in concussion recovery? The idea that you should just “wait it out” and things will get better on their own.

Spoiler alert... that’s not how the brain works.

Recovery is an active process. Your brain needs the right stimulation at the right time... and if you skip key steps, you risk turning what should be a short recovery into months (or even years) of unnecessary struggle.

If you want to truly understand your concussion and how to recover the right way... tune into the latest episode of the Concussion Nerds Podcast. We’re breaking down everything you need to know—because your healing shouldn’t be left to guesswork.