Author Archives: tbionthehill

Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act Targets Brain Injury Prevention

Congressional lawmakers have introduced the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act to strengthen fighter safety protections. Representatives Brian Jack (GA) and Sharice Davids (KS) introduced this legislation in July 2025, building upon the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996.

The timing coincides with devastating losses in Tokyo, where Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died from subdural hematomas after competing on the same card at Korakuen Hall on August 2. Both fighters collapsed following their matches and underwent emergency brain surgery but died days later. Japan’s Boxing Commission subsequently reduced championship fights from 12 to 10 rounds.

The new legislation enhances the original Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, enacted in 2000, which primarily addressed financial protections. This revival focuses heavily on medical safety, mandating comprehensive brain imaging including MRIs every three years and increased testing frequency after knockouts.

The lawmakers cite concerns about brain trauma in combat sports, with former MMA fighter Congresswoman Davids drawing from personal experience about ring dangers. The World Boxing Organization, a major international sanctioning body governing professional boxing globally, endorses these enhanced safety protocols to protect fighter welfare.

TBI & PTSD Treatment Gains Congressional Momentum

Congressional efforts to expand hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) access for veterans with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD are advancing through multiple legislative channels in 2025.

Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ) reintroduced H.R. 72, the TBI and PTSD Treatment Act, on January 3, 2025, alongside co-sponsors Representative Elijah Crane (AZ) and Representative Paul Gosar (AZ). The bill was referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and subsequently to the Subcommittee on Health on February 6, 2025.

Additionally, Congressman Greg Murphy (NC) championed H.R. 1336, the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, which successfully passed the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on May 6, 2025. This bipartisan legislation establishes a pilot program for HBOT treatment and garnered support from twelve co-sponsors across party lines.

Both bills target the veteran suicide epidemic, with over 17 veterans lost daily. HBOT accelerates brain healing by delivering elevated oxygen to damaged tissue, with studies showing significant PTSD symptom reduction within four weeks of treatment.

The legislation aims to remove VA bureaucratic barriers and provide veterans additional treatment options beyond traditional therapies, representing a critical step toward addressing the mental health crisis affecting America’s veterans.

Sit Down and Breathe

Holly’s Trauma May Prevent Others from Neurological Harm

Holly, a single mother of three, was brutally beaten unconscious while trying to intervene in a downtown Cincinnati street fight on July 26 at around 3 a.m. Violently slammed to the ground by the attackers, she was left with severe injuries including neurological damage, specifically a concussion and vision problems.

In subsequent media appearances, Holly described the assault as “attempted murder” rather than just an incident, criticizing police for their inadequate response. She also expressed frustration that despite suffering life-threatening injuries, as of the date of her viral response, she had not been contacted by Cincinnati officials, apologizing for the attack.

Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the brutal beating that was witnessed by approximately 100 bystanders, though only one person called 911 for help.

In response, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno introduced “Holly’s Act” – proposed legislation aimed at ending what he calls the justice system’s “revolving door” for repeat offenders. The act would raise minimum sentences and bail requirements for violent criminals, ensuring those with extensive criminal records cannot easily return to the streets.  Additionally, “[He] will convene the federal agencies that provide money to Cincinnati and ask them to suspend federal funding until [the city council and the mayor have] a plan in place.”

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval called Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno’s response “extremely disappointing,” stating that threats to suspend federal funding constitute “political theater” designed to harm residents. The mayor defended the city’s existing public safety initiatives, including drone programs and walking patrols, while acknowledging more work needed to be done downtown.

Holly supports the legislation, hoping her traumatic experience will be a catalyst to prevent similar attacks and improve police staffing statewide.

New Study Reaffirms Role of IL-33 in Recovery

A groundbreaking study, published by the NIH and reported on by the Military Medical Research Journal in August 2025, has shed new light on how our brains respond to injury, focusing on a protein called IL-33 that acts as the body’s internal alarm system.

When brain cells are damaged—whether from a traumatic injury, stroke, or repeated mild impacts like those seen in contact sports—they release IL-33 as a distress signal. This protein, known as an “alarmin,” alerts the immune system that something is wrong.

The August 2025 research, conducted in both mice and humans, revealed that IL-33 plays a crucial protective role after brain injury. The study found that when IL-33 levels drop following repetitive mild brain trauma, cognitive problems—like memory loss and difficulty thinking clearly—become significantly worse.

Here’s how it works: IL-33 helps special immune cells called microglia (the brain’s cleanup crew) remove harmful debris and damaged proteins that accumulate after injury. When IL-33 is functioning properly, these cleanup cells work efficiently to clear away toxic buildup, particularly a problematic protein called amyloid-beta.

The researchers discovered that supplementing IL-33 levels through nasal administration dramatically improved brain function and cognitive recovery in injured animals. This finding offers hope for developing new treatments for people suffering from brain injuries, potentially helping millions recover more effectively from trauma-related cognitive decline.

Decreased IL-33 in the brain following repetitive mild traumatic brain injury contributes to cognitive impairment by inhibiting microglial phagocytosis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40764944/

Nanotherapy from Cancer to Brain Injury

In June 2025, Case Western Reserve University and University of Cincinnati researchers received an Air Force Research Laboratory grant to develop nanotherapeutics for traumatic brain injuries and hemorrhages. Nanotherapy is a medical approach using nanoparticles—tiny therapeutic devices ranging from 1-100 nanometers in size, similar to biological molecules like proteins. The CWRU research team created synthetic platelets from nanoparticles called liposomes that mimic natural platelet functions to stabilize blood clots and reduce bleeding in complex injury scenarios. Nanotherapies already help cancer patients by improving drug targeting and reducing systemic toxicity while enabling sustained drug release. The government and research institutions are optimistic about this technology’s potential to transform trauma care, offering critical solutions for battlefield medicine, mass casualty events, and emergency situations where traditional blood transfusions are unavailable, ultimately bridging gaps between battlefield needs and real-world medical challenges for both military personnel and civilians.

Put Rosemary on the Menu

While rosemary has graced Mediterranean kitchens for centuries, modern science is uncovering this fragrant herb’s remarkable potential as a brain protector and healer. Recent research conducted by the NIH and other entities reveals that rosemary may offer significant therapeutic benefits for those recovering from brain trauma, while also providing cognitive enhancement for healthy individuals.

Studies on animal models with repetitive mild traumatic brain injury have shown that rosemary extract dramatically improves cognitive deficits that typically follow such trauma. The herb’s active compounds, particularly carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, demonstrate powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that protect brain cells from the harmful free radicals and inflammation that flood the brain after injury. Research published in NIH databases shows rosemary treatment prevents neuronal degeneration and reduces harmful brain cell activation in the hippocampus, a region crucial for memory formation.

In experimental models of stroke and brain injury, rosemary extract significantly reduced brain tissue damage, improved neurological function scores, and decreased dangerous brain swelling. Animals treated with rosemary showed better performance on memory tasks and improved spatial learning abilities. The herb enhances blood flow to the brain, delivering vital oxygen and nutrients needed for healing while supporting natural repair mechanisms.

Beyond trauma recovery, rosemary offers impressive benefits for everyone’s brain health. The herb contains 1,8-cineole, which prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, a key brain chemical essential for learning and memory. Studies with healthy individuals show that simply inhaling rosemary’s scent can improve memory performance and concentration. University students taking rosemary supplements for one month demonstrated significantly enhanced memory abilities compared to those taking placebos.

Rosemary also helps reduce stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels, while its antioxidant properties protect against age-related cognitive decline. Ancient Greek students wore rosemary garlands during exams to boost focus, and Shakespeare called it “the herb of remembrance” – wisdom that modern research now validates.

Whether recovering from brain injury or simply seeking to optimize cognitive function, rosemary represents a natural, accessible option for brain health. However, those with medical conditions should consult healthcare providers before using rosemary therapeutically.

Link: AI Shaping the Future of Neurorehabilitation

Just as it assists in other medical issues & care, artificial intelligence is a significant aide in the short & long term outcomes of those with a brain injury.  In March 2025, the NIH released a comprehensive evaluation of such information.  This report links to 134 references that provide more information on said topic.  (I am quite happy that I came across this page.  This weekend, I will be looking through some of the linked studies.)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11943846/#abstract1

Manhattan Mass Shooting Linked to the Brain

On Monday evening, those is the NYC Tristate area were aghast at the report of a Midtown Manhattan mass shooting that left 5 people dead, including the shooter.  In a 3-page note found at the scene, the 27-year-old male shooter claims to have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, writing, “Study my brain please… I’m sorry.”  While CTE does not lessen the horror of the shooter’s actions, it could explain why these actions were taken by a man described by a former coach as, “a quiet kid, well-mannered, very coachable.” 

Government-funded studies have shown that high school football can cause neurological trauma.  NYC Mayor Adams confirmed, “We’re looking at his note that talked about CTE… but it is far from conclusive.”  CTE does affect impulse control.  The shooter, though, had the foresight to book and take a trip from Las Vegas to NYC, NFL headquarters, and to purchase a high-powered rifle.  Additionally, his letter reveals that his sense of right and wrong was intact.

NOTE: I choose not to post any statements related to said incident from any of the current candidates for NYC Mayor.  Eric Adams’ statement was specifically related to his mayoral duties.

(The accompanying link is still relevant to the current NYC occurrence.  Of course, new research has been done, and new conclusions have been reached, since it was first posted in 2018.)

Mitigation for Morality and Murder

Texas First to Fund New Psychedelic Research

Texas has made history by becoming the first state to allocate significant public funding for psychedelic medicine research. Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2308 into law in June 2025, committing $50 million to FDA-approved clinical trials of ibogaine, a psychedelic compound derived from an African shrub.

The groundbreaking legislation represents the largest government investment in psychedelic research to date, positioning Texas as a global leader in this emerging field. The initiative aims to develop FDA-approved treatments for opioid addiction, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and PTSD—conditions that have devastated countless lives across America.

Rick Perry’s Pivotal Role

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry has emerged as an unlikely but passionate advocate for ibogaine research. His involvement began through his relationship with Navy SEAL veterans Marcus and Morgan Luttrell, who found relief from combat-related trauma through ibogaine treatment in Mexico. After witnessing their remarkable recoveries, Perry dedicated himself to advancing this cause, even launching the nonprofit Americans for Ibogaine.

“I’ve spent most of my adult life in public service, and few things have moved me like what I’ve witnessed with this psychedelic drug,” Perry wrote in a recent op-ed, describing how ibogaine helped veterans overcome years of opioid dependence and psychological trauma.

Promising Results for Brain Injury

Recent Stanford Medicine research found that ibogaine, when combined with magnesium for heart protection, safely reduced PTSD symptoms by 88%, depression by 87%, and anxiety by 81% in combat veterans with traumatic brain injuries. The treatment appears to promote neuroplasticity, potentially helping the brain repair itself after injury.

While primarily focused on veterans, the research could benefit anyone suffering from brain trauma, including athletes with concussion-related injuries and accident victims. Texas’s historic investment may lead the way to finally bringing this promising treatment to American patients who have long traveled abroad seeking relief.

Texas SB 2308: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB2308

Government’s Critical Role in Toxic Exposure Crisis

Burn pits are massive open-air waste disposal sites used extensively by the military in combat zones. Specifically, from 2001 to 2011 in Iraq and Afghanistan, these giant outdoor incinerators were used to burn everything from plastics and medical waste to chemicals, batteries, ammunition, and office equipment, which resulted in the release of dangerous cocktails of carcinogens and toxic chemicals into the air that service members breathed daily. The Department of Defense estimates that 3.5 million troops were exposed to this toxic smoke during recent wars, making burn pit exposure one of the most widespread environmental hazards faced by military personnel.

While outcomes to exposure to these burn pits involving respiratory and cancer risks have previously been exposed, groundbreaking research released in July 2025 has revealed alarming long-term neurological consequences. A study of 440,000 veterans, conducted by the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and Department of Veterans Affairs found that troops exposed to burn pit smoke had dramatically higher rates of brain injuries and psychological trauma. Veterans who lived near burn pits for at least 129 days were 27% more likely to experience severe stress symptoms and 37% more likely to suffer brain injuries compared to those at cleaner bases. Those with extended exposure of over 474 days showed 68% higher rates of severe stress and 124% increased likelihood of brain damage. More so, 90% of troops who died by suicide had served at bases with large burn pits for extended periods. The reason for these increases and terrible results appears to be exposure to toxic chemicals which disrupt brain function and neurotransmitters.

The military has responded with comprehensive reform measures. The Department of Defense has closed most burn pits and plans to eliminate all remaining sites. The 2022 PACT Act expanded healthcare and disability benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic environments, while 2025 H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, allocates $2 billion to defense health programs. These efforts represent crucial progress toward comprehensive care for veterans facing the invisible wounds of toxic exposure.