The TBI Recovery Audit
Your Environment · Your Inputs · Your Recovery Plan

This is my first documented TBI or concussion

I have had 2 or more concussions (cumulative injury changes recovery trajectory)

My most recent injury was less than 3 months ago (acute phase)

I am still symptomatic more than 3 months after my injury (post-concussion syndrome)

I have a history of whiplash, neck injury, or forceful impact to the upper spine

My injury involved loss of consciousness, even briefly

I was not given specific recovery instructions beyond "rest for a few days"

I returned to screen use, work, or school within 48–72 hours of injury

I have had a difficult birth (forceps, vacuum, prolonged labor) — relevant to cranial structure and baseline resilience

I drink fluoridated municipal tap water

I drink filtered water but don't know if the filter removes fluoride

I drink distilled or reverse osmosis water (mineral-stripped — leaches minerals from the body)

I drink from aluminum cans regularly (soda, sparkling water, energy drinks)

I rarely drink plain water throughout the day — dehydration is a significant TBI recovery barrier

I use protein powders (whey, plant-based, collagen with additives) — high free glutamate; feeds secondary injury in recovering brain

I eat processed food daily — packaged, fast food, restaurant more than 3x/week

I use artificial sweeteners — aspartame (diet drinks, Equal), sucralose (Splenda), acesulfame-K

I eat foods with MSG, hydrolyzed protein, yeast extract, or "natural flavors" regularly

I eat conventional (non-organic) produce from the Dirty Dozen list — pyrethroids affect sodium channels

I eat conventional meat, dairy, or farmed fish (subtherapeutic antibiotics destroy GABA-producing gut bacteria)

I skip meals or go more than 4–5 hours without eating — glucose instability impairs neuronal repair

I eat artificial food dyes daily (brightly colored snacks, cereals, drinks)

I drink coffee, tea, or caffeinated beverages daily — adenosine (sleep drive) is critical for brain repair; caffeine blocks it

I use energy drinks (Monster, Red Bull, Celsius, Reign)

I use pre-workout supplements

I take OTC medications containing caffeine (Excedrin, Midol, Anacin, NoDoz)

I supplement with Vitamin D (D3 capsules or drops) — soft tissue calcification risk; use morning sunlight and food sources (cod liver oil, fatty fish, pastured egg yolk)

I take OTC antihistamines, pain relievers, or cold medicine regularly

I have taken a fluoroquinolone antibiotic (Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox) in the past 2 years

I cook with nonstick (Teflon/PTFE) pans — especially on high heat

My nonstick pans have scratches or chips in the coating

I drink from aluminum cans regularly

I store or heat food in plastic containers

My Wi-Fi router is on overnight (not on a timer)

I charge my phone on or near my nightstand

I have a smart TV, streaming stick, or other device in my bedroom

My smart meter is on a bedroom wall or within 15 feet of where I sleep

I can see a cell tower, power lines, or electrical infrastructure from my home

I have solar panels on or near the house (inverter creates dirty electricity)

I use LED lighting in my bedroom or main living areas in the evening

My bedroom is not fully dark at night

I use Bluetooth headphones or earbuds regularly (including while sleeping)

I use screens within 1 hour of bedtime

I returned to full screen use (work, phone, TV) within 1 week of injury

My symptoms worsen after screen use — I use screens anyway

I game in a dark room or with high-contrast backlighting

I use wireless headphones during screen sessions

I have not been told the specific screen exposure thresholds relevant to TBI recovery

I do not get outdoor morning sunlight within the first hour after waking

My first light exposure is a screen (phone, computer, TV)

I sleep fewer than 7–8 hours most nights

I wake with a dry mouth or have been told I snore or stop breathing

I sleep on my back — lateral sleep supports glymphatic flow

My sleep schedule is irregular — different bedtimes each night

I take sleep medication or antihistamines to sleep

I take acetaminophen (Tylenol) regularly for TBI headaches — depletes glutathione, the brain's primary antioxidant defense; the #1 cause of acute liver failure in the US

I take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) regularly — GI and renal burden; magnesium interaction

I take a proton pump inhibitor (Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid) — depletes magnesium, the brain's natural NMDA channel blocker

I take a benzodiazepine (Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin) — GABA receptor downregulation during tolerance; rebound excitability

I take oral contraceptives — deplete B6 and folate; B6 is required for GABA synthesis

I take corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone) — blood sugar dysregulation affects neuronal stability and repair

I take a daily antihistamine (Benadryl) — anticholinergic burden impairs cognitive recovery

I am currently taking or recently completed a course of antibiotics

I take medication for post-traumatic seizures (AED) — same nutrient depletion profile as seizure disorder; see Seizure Threshold Audit for full AED flag list

I have taken 3 or more antibiotic courses in the past 12 months

I have never taken a probiotic after an antibiotic course

I received topical fluoride varnish (22,600 ppm — 15x toothpaste concentration) at my last dental cleaning

My local anesthetic contained epinephrine — published side effects include rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, headache; can elevate intracranial pressure and lower seizure threshold

I received nitrous oxide sedation — published side effects include nausea, headache, and with repeated use: B12 depletion leading to nerve damage and neurological decline

I have amalgam fillings that have not been safely removed

I have dental work planned and have not discussed my TBI history with my dentist