Caffeine and Brain Injury: How Do They Mix?

The plusses of having caffeine and brain injury:

• Caffeine stimulates the release of dopamine, which can help with post-stroke depression and motivation.

• Some research links caffeine to a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia, both of which can develop after brain injuries.

• Some studies suggest that moderate caffeine intake (1 to 2 cups of coffee per day) may slightly lower stroke risk by improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation.

The minuses of having caffeine and brain injury:

• Raises blood pressure (stroke risk, again or for the first time)

  • High caffeine intake can temporarily increase blood pressure, which may be dangerous if you’ve had a stroke or have hypertension.

• Worsens anxiety 

  • Many TBI survivors struggle with anxiety, and caffeine can make it worse by overstimulating the brain.

• Can disrupt sleep 

  • The brain heals during deep sleep. If caffeine affects your sleep, it may slow recovery and worsen brain fog, fatigue, and memory issues.

• May trigger headaches or migraines

  • Some people develop caffeine withdrawal headaches or migraines, which are common after a brain injury.

• Can increase dizziness and lightheadedness

  • If you have low blood pressure or dizziness after a stroke, caffeine might make it worse by causing dehydration or circulation issues.

With that said, should you drink caffeine after a stroke or TBI?

It may be acceptable if you don’t have any of the following:

• High blood pressure

• Sensitive to caffeine’s effects

• Heart issues

• Anxiety or sleep problems

• Dizzy or lightheaded issues

Brain-boosting drinks for stroke and TBI

If you want to stay alert and focused WITHOUT caffeine, take advantage of these tips! Without caffeine, the following give you energy, support brain mending and neuroplasticity, and improve memory, without the side effects of caffeine.

• Herbal teas for brain wellness
  • Turmeric Tea (Golden Milk) – Fights inflammation & supports memory
  • Ginseng Tea – Natural energy booster & brain enhancer
  • Peppermint Tea – Boosts focus & relieves headaches
  • Ginger Tea – Improves circulation & reduces brain fog
• Try these TBI-friendly ingredients:
  • Coconut Water–Keeps you hydrated for better foc
  • Blueberries  Spinach–High in antioxidants for brain repair
  • Avocado and Flaxseeds–Healthy fats for brain function
  • Greek Yogurt–Protein for mental clarity

Tip! Blend: ½ banana + ½ cup blueberries + 1 tbsp flaxseeds + 1 cup almond milk

• Hydrating brain drinks
  • Water with lemon and chia seeds to maintan the brain hydration and boost energy
  • Coconut water for electrolytes to prevent further brain fatigue
  • Beet juice increasing the brain’s blood flow 
  • Aloe Vera juice assists with digestion and inflammation

• Warm, Comforting Drinks
  • Warm almond milk with cinnamon to support memory and reduces stress
  • Chamomile tea with honey to assist with relaxation and brain repair
  • Bone broth with amino acids that rebuild brain cells

Even mild dehydration can make brain fog, dizziness, and fatigue worse. Try to drink at least 8 cups of water daily and add these drinks for extra brain benefits. If you struggle with mental fatigue after brain injury, it’s a good idea to avoid non-natural stimulants altogether and find out about natural alternatives instead. Not only will you have longer energy, but you also will not have to worry about your recovery.

Although caffeine in modest amounts is not dangerous after brain injury, patients should still do their best to avoid caffeinated drinks as much as possible. The brain easily builds up a tolerance to caffeine, which means the more you devour, the fewer benefits you will see. Therefore, doctors will typically recommend using natural and organic alternatives as much as possible.

The following are a few healthy alternatives to caffeine that can help improve your energy after TBI:

• Fast intermittently

Fasting intermittently has many health benefits, including boosting brain function and reducing mental fatigue. It also advises for several neuroprotective benefits to brain injury survivors.

Kristen Kizer, RD, LD, a registered clinical dietitian at Houston Methodist Hospital, says, “Most studies of intermittent fasting have focused on a 5:2 schedule, meaning subjects eat normally for five days a week, but restrict intake to 600 calories for two days.

“Personally, I wouldn’t want to be around me on my day I’m not eating,” Kizer jokes. “I have clients complain that the day they’re doing 00 calories they’re getting nauseous, they’re getting headaches, they can’t concentrate at work.” 

That’s why intermittent fasters are adopting another method, a 16:8 regimen, in which they consume all their calories within an eight-hour window.

Houston Methodist pharmacist Chase Janak, Pharm.D., has followed the plan for a year-and-a-half for weight loss. While he says it hasn’t been a cure-all, combining the 16:8 regimen with healthy eating has helped him lose fat and maintain his weight. He adds that with the increased concentration at work that comes with skipping breakfast, he craves sugary snacks less often.

When you fast, your body converts fat into ketones and burns those for energy rather than sugar, as it normally does. This process is especially helpful for brain injury patients because, after a TBI, the brain can no longer efficiently convert glucose into energy. However, the brain can still use ketones.

So fasting offers the brain another energy source to draw from. This process is the principle behind the ketogenic diet for brain injury patients.The ideal fasting length is around sixteen hours without eating. For most people, this just means skipping breakfast in the morning and stopping food after 8 p.m.

However, not everyone can fast safely. If you are diabetic or recovering from surgery, do not attempt to fast without permission from your doctor.

• Eat energy-boosting foods

Fasting will not have much effect if you only eat junk food. That’s why you must consume healthy, energy-rich foods such as foods that heal the brain after a concussion.

These foods include:

• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Fatty fish
• Bananas
• Nuts

Also, make sure to stay hydrated. The more hydrated you are, the more your body can flush out the harmful contaminations that have accumulated in your brain since your injury, improve your mental clarity as well.

• Exercise

Exercise not only encourages endorphins, which can make you feel more energized, it also increases oxygen levels in your blood and increases blood flow to your brain. All of this helps your brain heal faster and provides more energy throughout the day, making it a healthy alternative to caffeine after brain injury.

In the years past, many doctors discouraged exercise after a TBI, for fear that it might further damage the brain. But while it is important to rest in the immediate weeks after a brain injury, there is no evidence that light exercise after that point will cause damage. In fact, it may even promote a fuller recovery.

The best type of exercise for healing exhaustion is any kind of aerobic activity – such as swimming, biking, or yoga. If you find it too strenuous to exercise at first, do not worry. It will take time to rebuild your tolerance.

Instead, start with a light and short workout, maybe ten minutes or less. Then, gradually increase the fervor and frequency of your exercise routine. In the course of time, you should start getting enough energy and endurance to exercise systematically.

If you find yourself regularly fatigued, it could be because you have developed a sleep disorder that is stopping your brain from getting the rest you need to restore.

One of the most common sleep disorders after a brain injury is sleep apnea which occurs when a person’s breathing is disrupted while sleeping. This phenomenon tends to lead to an excess amount of CO₂ in the bloodstream, which can cause extreme fatigue during wakened hours. A sleep specialist can offer treatments that will give you a stimulating night of sleep again.

• Scale down stress

Too much stress on the brain can cause many conditions like cognitive decline and mental fogginess. That’s why it is important to find ways to reduce stress after brain injury.

Relaxing activities such as yoga and mindfulness are great stress-reducing methods. In addition, art therapy or music therapy can help you find a creative channel for your stress. These suggestions also will keep you from experiencing sensory overload.