🧠 Are Chokes Bad for Your Brain? New Research Reveals Surprising Answers

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TLDR: What Science Says About BJJ Chokes and Brain Health

  • No evidence of long-term brain damage: Multiple studies show that regular exposure to properly applied blood chokes does not lead to cognitive decline or brain injury in healthy adults
  • Potential benefits: Some research suggests BJJ practitioners may develop increased cerebral blood flow, potentially offering neuroprotective effects
  • Rare but serious risks: While uncommon, carotid or vertebral artery dissections can occur, leading to stroke (approximately 10 documented cases in the literature)
  • No negative vascular changes: Studies found no thickening of carotid artery walls or elevated brain injury markers in long-term BJJ practitioners
  • Safety practices matter: Tap early, release immediately when someone taps, use proper technique, and be alert for warning signs of vascular injury
Contents hide
1 TLDR: What Science Says About BJJ Chokes and Brain Health
2 Mechanism and Immediate Effects of BJJ Blood Chokes
3 Long-Term Neurological and Cognitive Effects
4 Long-Term Vascular and Cardiovascular Risks
5 Safety Recommendations and Best Practices
6 Conclusion

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) “blood chokes” (also called strangles or carotid restraints) are submission techniques that compress the neck arteries (carotid arteries and jugular veins) to temporarily reduce blood flow to the brain ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ). Unlike an airway choke (which blocks breathing), a properly applied blood choke causes cerebral ischemia – leading to fainting – within seconds, but allows normal breathing throughout ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ) (Chokehold – Wikipedia). These techniques are widely used in BJJ and judo, and are generally considered safe in a controlled setting. However, given that they intentionally induce brief brain ischemia, it is important to examine potential long-term health effects on the brain and cardiovascular system. This report investigates two scenarios: (1) being choked fully unconscious for a short period and then recovering, and (2) partial blood-flow restriction for an extended duration (e.g. ~30 seconds) without loss of consciousness, repeated regularly over years. We focus on long-term brain health (cognitive function, memory, neurodegeneration) and secondarily on vascular risks (carotid artery injury, stroke). We highlight current scientific evidence from sports medicine and neurology, and note where only anecdotal or speculative information is available.

Mechanism and Immediate Effects of BJJ Blood Chokes

A BJJ blood choke works by compressing the neck’s blood vessels (primarily the carotid arteries), which rapidly lowers blood flow to the brain. Within about 5–10 seconds of full carotid compression, a person will lose consciousness ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ). In training and competition, the goal is to induce a tap-out (submission) before the person actually passes out ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ). In fact, practitioners are taught to “tap early” once a choke is secure, and instructors emphasize safety by releasing the hold immediately when a tap or loss of consciousness occurs. If a choke is properly applied to the arteries (a true blood choke), the person typically loses consciousness very smoothly and quickly, without the terror of asphyxiation (since the airway is not blocked) ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ). Consciousness usually returns within seconds after release as oxygenated blood flow resumes (Chokehold – Wikipedia).

In a controlled environment, being choked out is akin to a sudden faint: the brain shuts down briefly from lack of perfusion, then comes back once normal circulation returns ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ). Short-term aftereffects of a brief choke-out are usually mild – athletes often report a few seconds of disorientation or grogginess, occasionally a headache, but typically no lasting symptoms. One survey of over 4,300 grapplers found that unconsciousness from chokes was fairly common (28% had been choked out at least once) yet persistent after-effects were exceedingly rare (The safety of sportive chokes: a cross-sectional survey-based study – PubMed). In that large sample, only 2 individuals (0.05%) reported any ongoing symptoms after being choked, suggesting that virtually all athletes recovered fully with no immediate neurologic injury (The safety of sportive chokes: a cross-sectional survey-based study – PubMed). In essence, a brief loss of consciousness from a blood choke – when done correctly and released promptly – behaves like a benign syncope (fainting spell) that “is uniformly without persistent symptoms” ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ).

However, improper or prolonged application of a choke can be dangerous. If a choke is held too long after unconsciousness, the brain can be starved of oxygen beyond the safe limit, potentially leading to hypoxic brain injury (Chokehold – Wikipedia). Fortunately in sport settings, referees and training partners are vigilant: they stop the choke as soon as a tap or blackout occurs. Airway chokes (crushing the windpipe) or wild thrashing during a choke can also introduce risks like airway damage or stimulant reflexes, but these are generally avoided in technical BJJ training. In summary, the immediate physiological effect of a blood choke is a rapid, transient drop in cerebral blood flow leading to a quick loss of consciousness; when promptly released, the athlete typically awakens within seconds with no acute harm. Any choke that causes more than a momentary loss of consciousness or any persistent confusion is treated as an emergency, just as one would treat any other loss of consciousness in sports.

Long-Term Neurological and Cognitive Effects

Could repeatedly having blood flow to the brain cut off (even briefly) lead to long-term brain damage, cognitive decline, or neurodegeneration? This is a critical question for BJJ athletes who regularly experience chokes. Notably, unlike sports involving concussive blows, BJJ sparring does not involve direct brain trauma, so the primary neurological concern would be from these transient ischemic episodes. Scientifically, there has been speculation that repeated “mini” hypoxic events might cumulatively injure brain cells or white matter over time ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ) ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ). However, current evidence does not support significant long-term brain harm from BJJ chokes – and some data even suggest BJJ might induce protective adaptations in the brain.

Several recent studies have directly examined the cognitive and neurological status of BJJ practitioners with extensive choke exposure:

Considering scenario (1) – being choked unconscious briefly – the current scientific consensus is that occasional short choke-outs do not cause detectable long-term brain damage in healthy adults. The events are too brief to cause the kind of neuron death seen in true hypoxic brain injury (which typically requires many minutes of oxygen deprivation, not a few seconds) ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ) ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ). Neurologically, a properly executed blood choke is more comparable to a benign faint than to a traumatic brain injury. Unlike concussions, which involve impact and shearing forces on brain tissue, a blood choke’s effect is mainly a short global energy shortage to the brain, from which it fully recovers when blood flow returns. The brain’s resilience to very brief ischemia, plus likely protective adaptations from regular training, explain why studies have not found cognitive decline in choke-exposed athletes.

What about scenario (2) – partial blood flow restriction for ~30 seconds, repeated frequently? In training, it’s common for grapplers to endure a choke attempt for a while (e.g. fighting a choke for tens of seconds) without fully “going out.” During those extended struggles, cerebral perfusion is reduced but not completely zero. This is akin to a prolonged presyncope state (almost fainting but not quite). Does this repeated strain have any cumulative effect on the brain? There is no direct research measuring cognitive outcomes specifically from repeated near-choke episodes. However, given the above findings (no differences in brain biomarkers or cognition even in athletes who have been fully choked hundreds of times), it stands to reason that sub-maximal chokes likewise have minimal long-term impact on brain cells. The body has multiple redundancies in brain blood supply (including vertebral arteries) and reflexes to prevent damage. It’s possible that regular brief ischemia could even stimulate some conditioning effect – much like how intermittent hypoxia training can spur blood vessel growth or efficiency (this is speculative, but the elevated cerebral blood flow in BJJ athletes hints at some adaptation (Researchers Provide Evidence for BJJ Training Being Good for Long-Term Brain Health)).

Importantly, no chronic memory impairments or cognitive deficits have been documented in clinical studies of BJJ or judo athletes attributable solely to chokes. In the absence of head trauma, long-term BJJ practitioners do not appear to suffer higher rates of dementia or neurodegenerative disease than the general population. Many practitioners anecdotally report normal mental function after decades of training. One BJJ athlete survey found that 94% of grapplers felt that applying a choke is safe (no lasting harm) when done properly (The safety of sportive chokes: a cross-sectional survey-based study – PubMed). While subjective, this community experience aligns with the scientific data: long-term brain health does not seem compromised by blood chokes in healthy adults. Of course, caution is warranted – the lack of evidence of harm is not absolute proof of safety, and subtle effects might not appear until much later in life or be hard to measure. But based on current knowledge, the brain is remarkably tolerant of the kind of brief blood-flow interruptions experienced in BJJ chokes, especially when compared to the well-known dangers of repeated concussions.

Long-Term Vascular and Cardiovascular Risks

The other side of the equation is the impact of repeated neck compression on the blood vessels and cardiovascular system. The neck contains critical arteries (the carotid arteries and vertebral arteries) that feed the brain, as well as the carotid sinus (a pressure sensor that helps regulate blood pressure). Could years of chokeholds damage these vessels, increase stroke risk, or cause cardiovascular issues?

Carotid Artery Injury (Dissection): The most serious known risk from BJJ chokes is a carotid or vertebral artery dissection, which is a tear in the arterial wall. This can lead to a blood clot and potentially a stroke if that clot travels to the brain. Although rare, there are documented cases of otherwise healthy young BJJ or judo athletes suffering strokes in this manner. A 2022 case series published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine collected 10 cases of serious cervical artery injury linked to grappling chokes (Cervical Artery Dissections and Ischemic Strokes Associated with Vascular Neck Compression Techniques (Sportive Chokes) – PubMed). These included 5 carotid artery dissections, 3 vertebral artery dissections, and 2 ischemic strokes (where a clot caused a stroke, without a confirmed dissection) (Cervical Artery Dissections and Ischemic Strokes Associated with Vascular Neck Compression Techniques (Sportive Chokes) – PubMed). Most of these athletes survived (9 out of 10), though only a few were able to return to training, highlighting the severity of these injuries (Cervical Artery Dissections and Ischemic Strokes Associated with Vascular Neck Compression Techniques (Sportive Chokes) – PubMed). In one high-profile case, a BJJ practitioner held out too long in a north-south choke and suffered a carotid dissection and stroke – he later recounted that he had felt some vision disturbances in the days and weeks prior (likely warning signs) but ignored them (ER Doc’s Need To Know About Stroke Prevention In Jiu-Jitsu Athletes. | by @BizJitsu | Medium) (ER Doc’s Need To Know About Stroke Prevention In Jiu-Jitsu Athletes. | by @BizJitsu | Medium). His stroke occurred immediately after he refused to tap to a tight choke (because he “could still breathe”), causing a clot to dislodge to his brain (ER Doc’s Need To Know About Stroke Prevention In Jiu-Jitsu Athletes. | by @BizJitsu | Medium) (ER Doc’s Need To Know About Stroke Prevention In Jiu-Jitsu Athletes. | by @BizJitsu | Medium). This and other cases underscore that chokeholds can cause arterial trauma if misapplied or if an individual has underlying vulnerability.

That said, it’s crucial to emphasize context: millions of chokes are performed in training and competition, yet these catastrophic outcomes are extremely rare. The large survey of 4,307 grapplers found over 75% had experienced at least near-blackout from chokes, but when asked about stroke or dissection symptoms (like severe headaches, vision loss, one-sided weakness), only 0.05% reported any ongoing issues (The safety of sportive chokes: a cross-sectional survey-based study – PubMed). Another survey in 2024 noted that ~55% of BJJ athletes had felt transient symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, or neck pain after training – which could mimic minor dissection symptoms – but the authors stressed it’s “unlikely” that all those were true arterial injuries ( Exploring Choke Holds in Brazilian Jiujitsu Athletes: A Demographic Study – PMC ). Nonetheless, they suggest further imaging studies to check if long-term grapplers have any asymptomatic vessel changes ( Exploring Choke Holds in Brazilian Jiujitsu Athletes: A Demographic Study – PMC ). In other words, minor vascular strain might be common, but serious vessel injury appears to be very uncommon in BJJ.

Why do dissections happen at all from chokes? Mechanistically, repeated mechanical stress on the artery (compressing, twisting, or stretching it) could tear the inner lining. Certain choke types might be riskier – for example, the series of cases found that a majority occurred with gi-based chokes (Strokes can happen from BJJ: : r/bjj) (which sometimes involve a fulcrum and neck rotation, e.g. loop chokes), though this might also be because older “masters” practitioners favor gi training (Strokes can happen from BJJ: : r/bjj). A sudden extreme force or unusual neck movement during a choke escape could injure the vessel. Some doctors have pointed out that neck position matters: hyperextension or rotation of the neck under pressure can stretch the carotid or vertebral artery and precipitate a tear (Strokes can happen from BJJ: : r/bjj). Thus, a blood choke applied straight on (like a rear naked choke with symmetric pressure) might be less likely to injure the artery than a crank-like choke that twists the neck. Individual anatomy and health also play a role – an otherwise healthy young person can dissect an artery from something as trivial as turning their head quickly or sneezing, so there may be inherent weakness in some cases.

The long-term cardiovascular effects of chronic choke exposure have also been investigated. If the neck arteries were being chronically damaged, one might expect to see signs of arterial wall thickening or plaque formation over time. The 2025 pilot study that measured carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in veteran grapplers found no difference in carotid thickness between choke-exposed athletes and age-matched controls (Impact of repeated sportive chokes on carotid intima media thickness and brain injury biomarkers in grappling athletes – PubMed). In other words, years of chokeholds did not measurably “age” or stiffen the carotid arteries. There was also no evidence of accelerated atherosclerosis – presumably, if anything, the fitness benefits of BJJ (cardio exercise) help keep arteries healthy, which might offset any localized stress. Additionally, repeated neck compression doesn’t seem to have caused scarring that narrows the arteries; if it had, we might see higher rates of carotid stenosis (narrowing), which has not been reported in the BJJ population.

One theoretical concern is whether frequent chokes could cause micro-damage that leads to carotid artery plaque rupture or clots. Some practitioners wonder if the squeezing might dislodge arterial plaque in older athletes (Long term effects of chokes? : r/bjj). In healthy young athletes, significant plaque is unlikely to be present. For middle-aged grapplers, maintaining good cardiovascular health (no untreated high blood pressure or high cholesterol) is wise, but there’s no direct evidence that choking causes plaque to build up or break off. If anything, the absence of stroke clusters among longtime BJJ practitioners indicates that there is no silent epidemic of carotid disease being caused by the sport (Long term effects of chokes? : r/bjj). Judo, which has included chokes for over a century, likewise has not seen widespread stroke issues despite millions of participants. The rare stroke cases that have occurred gain attention precisely because they are outliers.

Aside from vessel tears, other cardiovascular reactions are possible but uncommon. The carotid sinus (baroreceptors) can, when heavily pressed, trigger a vagal response – causing bradycardia (slow heart rate) or a drop in blood pressure. In susceptible individuals (carotid sinus hypersensitivity), a choke could conceivably cause a faint from a reflex (like a vagal syncope) even before full blood cutoff. This would be more of an acute effect; there’s no evidence that it leads to any chronic cardiac issue. No increase in arrhythmias or heart problems has been noted in BJJ athletes from choke exposure.

Summary of Vascular Risks: While chronic vascular changes from chokes appear minimal (no thickening or plaque noted in studies (Impact of repeated sportive chokes on carotid intima media thickness and brain injury biomarkers in grappling athletes – PubMed)), there is a recognized but low-probability risk of acute arterial injury leading to stroke. The risk is low enough that it has not discouraged the sport nor caused governing bodies to ban chokes (except in special populations like children or untrained law enforcement scenarios). However, every practitioner and coach should be aware of the signs of possible carotid or vertebral artery injury. These warning signs can include:

These clusters of symptoms (often taught as the “Five D’s and Three N’s” of cervical artery compromise (Strokes can happen from BJJ: : r/bjj) (Strokes can happen from BJJ: : r/bjj)) should not be ignored. If a BJJ athlete experiences such issues, they should seek medical evaluation immediately – preferably with vascular imaging (MRI/MRA or CT angiography) to rule out a dissection. The good news is that these serious red flags are very infrequent in routine BJJ practice.

(Researchers provide evidence for neuroprotection in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes | University of South Wales) Figure 2: Sports medicine researchers perform a carotid ultrasound on a BJJ athlete to study the neck’s arteries. Recent studies found no evidence that long-term BJJ training with chokeholds causes thickening of the carotid artery walls or elevated brain injury markers (Impact of repeated sportive chokes on carotid intima media thickness and brain injury biomarkers in grappling athletes – PubMed).

Safety Recommendations and Best Practices

Although the long-term health risks of BJJ blood chokes appear to be low for healthy adults, it is vital to follow safety protocols to minimize any risks. Based on medical guidance and common practice in combat sports, here are recommended precautions and practices for choke safety:

  • Tap Early, Tap Often: The number one rule is that athletes should submit (tap out) before they lose consciousness. Do not “fight” a choke to the bitter end in training. There is no benefit in practice to enduring a choke until blackout – it only increases risk. Especially for newer students, instructors emphasize tapping as soon as a choke is sunk in tight. Pride or hesitation can be dangerous; recognize when escape is unlikely and tap. As one doctor-grappler put it, “You shouldn’t be getting choked out at all in training… Just tap” (Long term effects of chokes? : r/bjj). Tapping early greatly reduces the chance of any prolonged oxygen deprivation or fluke neck injury.
  • Immediate Release on Tap or KO: The person applying the choke has a responsibility to release the hold promptly when their partner taps or if they notice the partner has gone limp/unconscious. Instructors teach students to be very alert to a tap (or even a verbal “stop” or a double-tap on their body if a hand is trapped). In live competition, referees are trained to spot a fighter going unconscious and will intervene immediately. Never continue cranking a choke after a tap, and never hold a choke longer than needed. Prolonging the choke beyond the point of unconsciousness is where serious brain harm can occur (Chokehold – Wikipedia).
  • Protect the Neck – Technique Matters: Proper choke technique means targeting the sides of the neck (arteries) with controlled pressure, without yanking or twisting the head/neck more than necessary. Avoid turning a blood choke into a neck crank. Coaches should ensure students learn to apply chokes smoothly and avoid excess force, especially during drilling. Likewise, when escaping chokes, flailing or violent twisting can do more harm – it’s better to use sound technique rather than brute force which might injure your neck or your partner’s. Gradual pressure is key in training: apply chokes slowly so your partner has time to tap, rather than sudden jerks. This reduces the chance of startling the carotid sinus or causing unintended injury.
  • Limit Repetitive Prolonged Choke Drills: While positional sparring with choke scenarios is fine, avoid drilling where one person endures a choke for extended periods repeatedly. There’s no strong evidence this causes harm, but prudently, one shouldn’t intentionally starve the brain of blood over and over. In other words, don’t make a habit of letting yourself get half-choked for 30+ seconds every round. If you’re caught, tap and reset rather than treating your brain like a hypoxia training experiment. Coaches can structure training so that students aren’t forced to endure excessive choke time every session.
  • Observe for Warning Signs: After any intense choke (even if you didn’t fully go out), pay attention to how you feel in the minutes and hours after. It is normal to feel a bit light-headed or have a minor headache that resolves – much like after a hard sprint you might feel head-rush. But if you experience persistent or escalating symptoms – e.g. a worsening headache, any of the neurological issues listed earlier (vision changes, limb weakness, confusion, etc.) – do not ignore it. Inform your coach and seek medical attention. Early recognition of a carotid artery dissection or stroke can be life-saving. Many athletes might brush off symptoms, but as one physical therapist warned, “we need to recognize these potential damages and the warning signs… we love this sport, but be aware of the realities we are playing with” (Strokes can happen from BJJ: : r/bjj). It’s better to get checked and find nothing, than to miss a treatable injury.
  • Allow Recovery After a Choke-Out: If someone is choked completely unconscious in training, standard first aid and caution should be applied. The moment they go limp, the choke should be released. The training partner or coach should gently lower the person to the ground if they aren’t already, and ensure their airway is open (e.g. remove mouthguard, and ideally position them on their side in case of any brief seizure or to keep the tongue clear) (Safety protocols when someone gets choked completely out? – Reddit). Usually the person will wake up within seconds on their own. It’s a bad idea to “shake or slap” the person – let them come to naturally (sometimes people rub the chest or sternum to stimulate, but vigorous shaking is not advised). Do not lift the person’s legs up (an old-school response to fainting); modern guidance suggests just keeping them flat or on their side until consciousness returns, because raising legs can cause a sudden blood pressure change in this scenario (How dangerous is it to choke someone unconscious or to be choked …). Once awake, they should rest and not jump right back into hard sparring. Treat it as you would a concussion protocol in terms of caution – while a brief choke-out is not a concussion, giving the brain some minutes to recover is wise. If the person seems at all confused beyond a minute or two, or has any lingering symptoms, they should stop training for the day and be monitored. In competition, a fighter who goes unconscious is usually not allowed to continue in the event, as a safety rule.
  • Medical Check-ups for Older Athletes: For practitioners over 40 or those with cardiovascular risk factors, it’s sensible to have regular medical check-ups. Conditions like high blood pressure or carotid artery disease could, in theory, increase risk from neck compression. While BJJ itself can improve health, an older athlete might want to get a carotid ultrasound as part of a physical if they have concerns, just to screen for any asymptomatic carotid plaque or issues (especially if they plan on heavy choke training). There is no official guideline on this, but it falls under prudent personalized care. If an athlete knows they have an arterial aneurysm or prior neck vascular injury, they should avoid choking entirely or only train with cleared modifications.
  • Follow Rule Sets and Guidelines: Sport organizations have some built-in safety rules: for example, in judo, chokes are not taught to children under a certain age, and referees in judo and BJJ are quick to stop a match when a choke has rendered someone unconscious. Adhering to these rules helps protect athletes. Law enforcement training often forbids chokeholds now due to potential misuse. In sport, because both participants are consenting and aware, the key is education and control. Always train under qualified supervision who prioritize safety.

By following these practices, BJJ athletes can enjoy the technical and competitive aspects of chokes while minimizing long-term health risks. The consensus among experienced coaches and medical professionals is that when done correctly, blood chokes are a safe and effective tool – but they demand respect and caution. As one Reddit commentator noted, BJJ has been around for decades and judo for over a century with millions of participants, and we haven’t seen an epidemic of strokes or brain damage in those communities (Long term effects of chokes? : r/bjj). That is a testament to the relative safety of chokes when properly applied. We simply need to ensure we continue to apply them with care and stay vigilant for the rare complications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the long-term health impact of BJJ-style blood chokes on the brain and arteries appears to be minimal in healthy adult practitioners, provided the chokes are executed and monitored safely. Current scientific evidence shows no indication of chronic brain injury, cognitive decline, or neurodegenerative changes from repeated choke exposures – on the contrary, BJJ athletes have shown normal cognitive function and even potential cerebrovascular adaptations (Researchers Provide Evidence for BJJ Training Being Good for Long-Term Brain Health) (Impact of repeated sportive chokes on carotid intima media thickness and brain injury biomarkers in grappling athletes – PubMed). The primary serious risk lies in acute vascular injuries (carotid or vertebral artery dissections leading to stroke), but these events are very rare relative to how often chokes occur (Cervical Artery Dissections and Ischemic Strokes Associated with Vascular Neck Compression Techniques (Sportive Chokes) – PubMed). Sensible precautions (tapping out early, proper technique, and attention to warning signs) can reduce this risk even further.

Ultimately, for the healthy adult BJJ athlete, training with chokes is considered safe in the long run by both the sports community and medical experts, so long as safety protocols are followed. As with any physically demanding activity, there are risks, but in this case the absence of head trauma and the controlled nature of blood chokes make BJJ a gentler option for the brain compared to striking sports. Practitioners should remain informed and cautious – treating chokeholds with the respect they deserve – but can take confidence in the fact that no evidence currently points to significant long-term brain harm from choking practice ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ). Continuing research, including long-term follow-up studies and advanced imaging, will help us further understand the chronic effects (if any) of these techniques. In the meantime, by adhering to best practices and listening to our bodies, we can enjoy the art of BJJ chokes while safeguarding our long-term health.

Sources: The analysis above is based on peer-reviewed sports medicine studies, neurology research, and documented case reports, as well as accumulated experience from the BJJ community. Key references include: published surveys of thousands of grapplers (The safety of sportive chokes: a cross-sectional survey-based study – PubMed), medical case series of choke-related arterial injuries (Cervical Artery Dissections and Ischemic Strokes Associated with Vascular Neck Compression Techniques (Sportive Chokes) – PubMed), cross-sectional studies on BJJ athletes’ brain health (Researchers Provide Evidence for BJJ Training Being Good for Long-Term Brain Health), and expert commentary on the lack of observed neurological decline from choke exposure ( No Established Link between Repeated Transient Chokes and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Related Effects. Comment on Lim, L.J.H. et al. Dangers of Mixed Martial Arts in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 254 – PMC ). These sources, cited throughout the text, provide a balanced scientific and practical perspective on the long-term safety of BJJ blood chokes.

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