A concussion (medically known as a mild traumatic brain injury, mTBI) results from a forceful blow or jolt that causes the brain to shake inside the skull. This disrupts normal brain function, leading to symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, memory issues, fatigue, and emotional disturbances. One of the major challenges is trouble sleeping after a concussion, which can significantly hinder post-concussion recovery.
It was once thought that most concussions heal on their own, but research shows nearly 50% of individuals may not fully recover even a year later. That’s due to how concussions disrupt brain connections, promote inflammation, alter vascular supply, and interfere with your body’s circadian rhythm after brain injury and sleep quality.
Why Sleep Matters in Concussion Recovery
After a concussion, the brain goes through a vulnerable and energy-demanding healing process. Amid this disruption, sleep after concussion becomes not just essential, but critical. Sleep, particularly during the deep sleep stage, plays a key role in neurological restoration. During this time, the brain engages in a natural detoxification process, clearing out cellular waste and neurotoxins that can accumulate post-injury.
Moreover, sleep disturbances after concussion are common, yet restoring healthy sleep cycles can significantly influence your recovery speed. Trouble sleeping after a concussion may delay the brain’s ability to rebuild neural pathways, regulate emotions, and regain cognitive clarity.
Can You Sleep Right After a Concussion?
Yet, sleep after a concussion hasn’t always been well understood. Many of us grew up hearing the advice: “Don’t let someone with a concussion fall asleep.”
For decades, the standard recommendation was to wake someone every hour after a head injury. The fear was that they might “slip into a coma” or have suffered a brain bleed that gradually over the next few hours, would be detrimental and you wouldn’t know if the individual was sleeping. However, we now understand that it’s not the sleep that’s dangerous—it’s the potential for a more serious underlying injury.
Currently, most concussion experts agree that sleep is fine. There is no need for monitoring someone while they are sleeping. Depending on the time of day the injury occurred, it is unlikely the individual will go right to sleep. During this window, you can assess for red flags—signs of more serious brain trauma such as slurred speech, worsening headache, repeated vomiting, or unresponsiveness. If any of these are present, then going to the emergency room is usually needed.
For those who want to be cautious, light overnight monitoring is fine and doesn’t harm recovery, even though it’s not needed. But in most straightforward cases, uninterrupted sleep is both safe and beneficial. For more clarity, talk with our doctors at 813-838-4005.
Why Sleep Matters So Much After a Concussion
Sleep is a powerful tool for brain healing. During sleep—especially deep sleep—the brain repairs damaged cells, flushes out toxins, and resets critical neural functions. For someone recovering from a concussion, these processes are even more vital.
According to various studies and research, sleep supports:
- Neuroplasticity – The brain’s ability to rewire and adapt post-injury.
- Cognitive recovery – Rest helps rebuild attention, memory, and executive function.
- Mood stability – Sleep regulates stress hormones and emotional reactivity.
- Symptom management – Proper rest helps reduce headaches, fatigue, and light sensitivity.
- Shortens Recovery Time: Better sleep is associated with a shorter duration of symptoms and a quicker return to normal activities.
Without enough sleep, your symptoms can worsen. The result is a vicious cycle where poor sleep causes increased symptoms, which in turn make it even harder to sleep. Breaking this cycle with quality rest is vital, and can also enhance the effects of complementary therapies like low-level laser therapy for concussion, which shows promise in supporting brain recovery.
Is It Easy to Sleep After a Concussion?
Well, not for all. Many people struggle to get the rest they need after a concussion. Roughly 70% of individuals with a concussion report sleep-related difficulty during their recovery with most having too little sleep versus oversleeping. It’s a frustrating cycle: concussion symptoms interfere with sleep, and poor sleep worsens those same symptoms.
These challenges can include:
- Insomnia – Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Hypersomnia – Sleeping too much during the day
- Nightmares or vivid dreams – Disturbing dreams that disrupt the rest
- Sleep apnea – Interrupted breathing during sleep
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS) – Uncomfortable sensations leading to constant movement
- Poor sleep quality – You sleep, but still feel exhausted
- Difficulty Waking: Some individuals report feeling groggy and having difficulty getting out of bed, even after a full night’s rest.
It should be noted that if you have any pre-existing issues with sleep this will impact your recovery even though previously you got away with 4-5 hours of sleep.
When to See a Doctor
It’s normal to experience some sleep disturbances after a concussion, but if you’re consistently struggling with trouble sleeping after a concussion, or if your symptoms are worsening, such as frequent waking, difficulty falling asleep, or feeling exhausted even after rest, it’s time to seek professional help.
That’s where Dr. Spencer Zimmerman, founder of Peak Brain and Body, can play a vital role in your recovery. With years of clinical experience in neuroplasticity-based concussion treatment, Dr. Zimmerman understands the complex relationship between brain injury and sleep. His unique approach focuses not only on symptom relief but also on long-term neural recovery and sleep regulation.
Depending on your condition, Dr. Zimmerman may recommend:
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A comprehensive neurological evaluation
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A sleep study to assess your sleep quality after a concussion
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Personalized therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
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Natural, non-invasive methods to reset your circadian rhythm and support brain healing and sleep
If you’re wondering, “Why do I sleep more after a concussion?” or “Why can’t I sleep at all?”, don’t ignore these signs. These could indicate deeper disruptions in your brain’s ability to self-regulate—something that requires expert guidance to resolve safely and effectively.
Book a consultation with Dr. Spencer Zimmerman (Brain Guy) today and take the first step toward full post-concussion sleep recovery. Your brain—and your sleep—deserve the best care available.
Tips for Promoting Healthy Sleep During Recovery
Given the importance of sleep, making it a priority during recovery is non-negotiable. Here’s how you can properly sleep:
- Stick to a Routine: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This helps regulate your circadian rhythm. Yes, this includes even on the weekend, as your body doesn’t know that society created weekends.
- Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment: Use blackout curtains, white noise machines, and a cool room temperature to make your bedroom a calm, quiet refuge.
- Wind Down Without Screens: Avoid phones, tablets, and TVs at least an hour before bed. The blue light disrupts melatonin, the hormone that signals your body it’s time to sleep.
- Avoid Stimulants: Skip caffeine and energy drinks, especially in the afternoon and evening. They can linger in your system and interfere with falling asleep.
- Try Relaxation Techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, or light stretching can ease anxiety and prepare your body for rest.
- Limit Long Naps: Naps are often needed during recovery, but try to keep them under 30 minutes and avoid napping too close to bedtime. If a nap doesn’t impact your nighttime sleep, then it’s okay, but if it does, then you need to avoid naps completely.
In addition to healthy sleep habits, consult a medical provider to explore post-concussion syndrome headache treatment options if headaches are interfering with sleep or daily function.
Why can’t I sleep after a concussion?
After a concussion, the brain may struggle to regulate melatonin production and circadian rhythm. This is why many people experience delayed sleep onset, light sleep, or fragmented rest. Anxiety and physical symptoms—such as headaches or dizziness—may also make sleep difficult. In some cases, individuals may develop post-concussion sleep apnea or insomnia, which requires targeted treatment.
How long does fatigue last after a concussion?
Fatigue can last for weeks or even months after a concussion. While many people begin to feel better within 7–10 days, others experience prolonged fatigue that lingers for several weeks. This is often a sign that the brain is still healing or that sleep quality is poor, even if total hours of sleep seem adequate.
Can poor sleep delay concussion recovery?
Yes. Without high-quality sleep, the brain can’t fully recover. Poor sleep increases stress hormones, disrupts hormone regulation, and interferes with memory and mood. People who experience post-concussion insomnia often report longer recovery times and more severe symptoms.
Final Thoughts
The brain is a miraculous organ, capable of healing and adapting—but it needs your help to do so. Sleep is one of the most powerful, accessible tools we have for recovery. It clears toxins, repairs cells, balances mood, and rebuilds damaged neural pathways. Whether you’re supporting a loved one through a concussion or recovering from one yourself, don’t underestimate the role of rest.
If you’ve ruled out serious complications and there are no red flags, get a restful sleep. However, talking with a doctor first is mandatory.
While sleep is an important part of concussion recovery, it is only one part. Addressing the complexity of a concussion is what we find helps individuals finally get their lives back after they’ve tried other treatments with little to no results.
To get a personalized consultation, you can connect with Dr. Spencer Zimmerman, who has a great reputation in treating concussions and brain injuries for over 10 years at Peak Brain and Body in Wesley Chapel, FL.
