Brain damage caused by martial arts ?

Any time there is a blow to the head, there is a chance you might end up with injury. However, the brain is an incredible thing. It can actually withstand a lot more than you think. Whiplash and mild concussions can occur, such as in minor car accidents, causing very little to no permanent damage. That being said, certain hits to the head, such as what are found with boxers, football and hockey players, can cause anything from grade 3 concussions (enough of which will force your retirement) to brain damage resulting in memory loss and loss of cognitive function.

This however rarely happens in martial arts. Going back to my examples, the difference is in the sport. In hockey, the incidences of brain damage (and spinal injury) are because of going head first into boards. In football, the player can smash his head into the ground when being tackled (again, also a possible spinal injury). In both cases, the person is getting blunt force trauma on the very top of the head- not a good place. In martial arts, a good referee will got allow for any blows to the top of the head (if at all to the head, depending on the rules). As for boxing, the damage comes from repeated strikes to the temples, where major blood vessels in your brain are located. The failure of referees to stop the fight sooner (something UFC refs are decent at) ultimately affects the brain. This is why many boxers have died in the ring.

I haven't heard of any deaths specifically as a result of Muay Thai, but in martial arts, deaths from sparring are very rare. You'll have to talk with the Thai coach and trust your own instincts as to whether or not it is safe for you.

I'm not an expert on Thai Boxing, but I do know that constant hits to the head can cause damage. Your skull can only take so much pressure against it, which is why people wear helmets for biking, skating, climbing, ect. You can fracture your skull from a hit too hard, and yes, that could cause brain damage and internal bleeding. Sensitive areas on your head are more susceptible to damage like your temples. You could easily go blind (among other things) if an area of your brain is damaged. Basically, any sport that involves hitting your head without a helmet does have a risk of causing brain damage or concussions.

I hope my answer has helped!

David W might be a top contributor, but he knows nothing of mma. I'd like to know which of his favorite mma fighters have brain damage because I know of none that currently compete in the UFC or any other mma promotion. The only study I've seen has been one on mma gloves vs boxing gloves and it was shown that the boxing gloves did more brain damage then mma gloves do. Which makes sense if you look at basic physics of force equals mass. As to your question I really can't say without knowing how your friend is. How long have you known him? Has he always had a bad memory or is it something recent? What are his other lifestyle habits? Whats his medical history like? Has he seen a doctor concerning this?

Yes. Boxing whether it be Muay Thai or standard western style is by far the most dangerous combat sport out there. Chuck Liddel said it best "a boxer will take 50 power shots to the head in one fight, I haven't taken 10 in my whole career" That being said you should be wearing head gear and all proper protective equipment while sparring. Usually you're partners aren't going to be hitting you as hard as they can ( usually) but you will get rocked from time to time. When you actually fight that's where it gets kind of scary but you'll have a much better understanding of what's going on and the apparent risk by then.

Theres always a chance of getting brain damage getting hit in the head. Look at some of those old boxers like Mohhamad Ali. Thats just the risk u take.

You don't have to get hit in the head to get a head injury. I've held kicking shields hit so hard that I could see stars. In fact I'd much rather spar with those guy's, at least I'd have a chance to defend my self while sparing unlike just being a target holding kicking shield which is just a inner tube covered with a few layers of padding.

yes there is a chance didn't you watch fight science boxing punch?

there is always a chance of this thats why there are rules in a competition(to minimaze that of happening but its not garenteed that its not gonna happen) but if you need to know then make those thai fighters fill out an IQ test to know if from constantly hitting the head their iq shrink and became equal with their shoe sizes...........one of my classmates practices muay thai and he isn't exaclty one of the brightest if you know what I mean ......I'm not saying he is stupid I'm saying he is an idiot but he is a nice guy anyway and the reason might be because muay thai takes away the time to study perhaps.

It happens.

When I was 13 years old I was sent to the hospital from my dojo with a major concussion from a fall. I spent three days in the hospital with a major headache and severe vomiting because I did not perform a ukemi properly.

Judo is just as rough as rugby, professional boxing, or boxing.

Any strike to the head offers the possibility of brain trauma / damage. It is not the most common of afflictions, but it is possible.