During a concussion, there is a release of a metabolic cascade of neurotransmitters, which causes stretching of cell membranes and neuro axons (Shrey et al., 2011). Neurotransmitters are essentially the highways the brain uses to process information (Willis, 2010). Subsequently there is also an increase of potassium released into the brain tissue, which requires to body to use more energy to establish a balance; during which, there is a slowing of cerebral blood flow, and the brain must increase the amount of effort being used to complete the same level of work (Giva & Hovda, 2001). Additionally, there is a decrease of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) after a brain injury, but at the same time, the brain needs more ATP to function at its highest
