Is It True That a Simple Hit to the Head Can Cause Weight Gain?
Most people never connect head injuries with weight gain. But what if I told you that even a mild concussion or a bump to the head could disrupt your metabolism, making it harder to lose weight and easier to gain it?
This isn’t just speculation—scientific research confirms that head injuries can impact the pituitary gland, a small but powerful “master control” that regulates metabolism, hormone production, and energy levels. When a head injury disrupts this system, it can trigger post-traumatic hypopituitarism (PTHP), leading to significant changes in body composition, including unexpected weight gain.
How Head Injuries Disrupt Hormones and Cause Weight Gain
- Thyroid and Metabolism Disruptions
- The pituitary gland regulates the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which controls metabolism.
- If TSH production drops, the body enters a hypothyroid state, slowing metabolism and increasing fat storage.
- Cortisol Imbalances and Fat Retention
- A head injury can impair adrenal function, affecting cortisol levels, the body’s stress hormone.
- When cortisol is too high or too low, it can lead to insulin resistance, increased belly fat, and difficulty losing weight.
- Growth Hormone Deficiency and Fat Accumulation
- Growth hormone (GH) is critical for maintaining a healthy muscle-to-fat ratio.
- When the pituitary gland is damaged, GH production decreases, leading to muscle loss and fat gain, especially around the abdomen.
- Psychological Factors and Emotional Eating
- Post-concussion symptoms like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and chronic fatigue often lead to emotional eating and reduced physical activity.
- The brain’s reward system can also shift after an injury, leading to increased cravings for sugar and processed foods.
The Science Behind Brain Healing and Weight Management
Recent research has shown that interventions targeting brain recovery can restore metabolic balance and reduce post-concussive symptoms.
At the Fascia Training Institute, a preliminary case study analysis of the Dynamic Brain Healing (DBH) Protocol showed statistically significant improvements in symptoms commonly associated with concussions:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty Remembering
- Feeling in a Fog
- Overall Symptom Reduction
- Weight Loss
By creating space within the cranial fascia, DBH supports neurological recovery, which may help regulate hormonal imbalances that contribute to weight gain.
What Can You Do If You’ve Gained Weight After a Head Injury?
- Get a Brain Health Assessment – Many doctors don’t check for pituitary dysfunction after a concussion, leaving many people undiagnosed.
- Consider Targeted Brain Healing – Treatments like Dynamic Brain Healing have been shown to significantly reduce post-concussive symptoms, potentially improving hormonal balance and metabolism.
- Optimize Your Lifestyle – A nutrient-dense diet, gentle movement, and stress reduction can support brain and metabolic recovery.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve gained weight after a concussion, head injury, or even a mild bump to the head, it’s not just in your head—it’s in your brain.
Understanding the link between brain trauma, hormone imbalances, and metabolism is key to unlocking lasting weight loss and better health.
Want to find out if your brain is working against you?
Send a message or comment below to learn how to reset your brain for mental clarity, energy, and a healthy metabolism.
Articles of interest
Quinn M, Agha A. Post-Traumatic Hypopituitarism- Who Should Be Screened, When, and How? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018 Feb 2;9:8. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00008. PMID: 29456522; PMCID: PMC5801312