The Cognitive FX Blog

Dr. Jaycie Loewen

Dr. Jaycie Loewen is a Clinical Neuroscientist who received her Doctorate of Neuroscience at the University of Utah. Her background includes the study of basic and clinical brain injury, including the publication of research regarding mechanisms of epilepsy pathophysiology. Her work has elucidated the role of glial and neuronal cell profiles in viral-induced brain injury and acute seizures. Dr. Loewen is further a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholar, with a Master's in Clinical Investigation awarded in 2018, as well as a recipient of the Higher Education Teaching Specialist Certificate. Through these degrees, she obtained experience with patient care and education as well as an understanding of the necessity of respecting patient experience and symptoms. Dr. Loewen’s focus is firstly patient care and education. She also provides literature analysis and aids in the publication of Cognitive FX’s research. Her goal is to improve Cognitive Fx’s ability to help patients through equal interaction and communication, as well as the furthering of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury treatment and science.

Brain Injury Awareness | Brain Safety & Care | Healthy Food & Habits | Post Concussion Treatment

Nutrition for Post-Concussion Syndrome: How to Plan for Recovery

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen November 20th, 2020 Updated January 23, 2023

What you eat affects your health, whether you’ve sustained a traumatic brain injury or are in perfect health. But nutrition is especially important after a brain injury. Diet can be the difference between your brain getting “just enough to squeak by” vs. being powered up for healing.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Hormone Imbalance (Including After Head Injury)

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen October 28th, 2020 Updated January 23, 2023

At our post-concussion treatment clinic, patients sometimes present with short- or long-term hormone dysfunction after brain injury. While we don’t treat hormonal imbalance at our clinic, we often make referrals for it and communicate with our patients’ physicians about their condition.

How a Brain Injury Can Cause Hormone Dysregulation (And What to Do About It)

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen September 24th, 2020 Updated March 14, 2023

Low energy, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, anxiety, depression, memory problems...

The Truth About Alcohol, Caffeine, and Post-Concussion Recovery

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen September 17th, 2020 Updated January 23, 2023

Some doctors say it’s absolutely unsafe to drink liquor when you’re recovering from a concussion. Others say it’s safe, but it might set back your recovery. Still others say, “Why not substitute a fancy coffee for your favorite cocktail on your next night out?” (Please don’t do this. We’ll explain why later in this post.)

The Patient’s Guide to Post-Concussion Autonomic Dysfunction (Dysautonomia)

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen September 2nd, 2020 Updated March 8, 2023

Persistent symptoms after a head injury (post-concussion syndrome) can be confusing. They don’t always seem like problems an injured brain should cause. Symptoms like memory problems, trouble reading, or light sensitivity make sense; your brain is closely involved in those processes.

What Can a Neurologist Do for Post Concussion Syndrome?

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen August 18th, 2020 Updated March 14, 2023

What should you do when your concussion symptoms don’t go away?

The Long Term Effects of Encephalitis: How to Recover

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen May 12th, 2020 Updated March 8, 2023

Many viral and bacterial infections are capable of affecting the brain and causing widespread dysfunction that may outlast the acute disease symptoms. Patients with long-term symptoms after viral encephalitis or meningitis may suffer from fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, sleep issues, memory problems, emotional changes, and more.

Quiz: Do I Have a Concussion? (Plus What to Do About It)

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen May 6th, 2020 Updated May 23, 2022

Note: While this quiz will give you some insight into your current conditions, your results are only as good as your answers. It is not a substitute for seeing a doctor and is not official medical advice. If you’re experiencing any of the signs of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), seek medical attention immediately. Otherwise, feel free to use this quiz as a starting point to determine if you need further care. Also note that, while we may record your responses, it is not linked with any personally-identifying information.

Flying with a Concussion: How to Travel Safely and Minimize Symptoms

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen April 6th, 2020 Updated May 23, 2022

[Note: This article was written during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We recommend that you check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for travel advisories and health information when making travel decisions.]

Post-Concussion Nausea: Why You Feel Sick & What to Do About It

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen February 27th, 2020 Updated January 23, 2023

We can all agree that nausea is terrible. If it’s a one-time thing because you ate expired yogurt, well, it’s not the end of the world — you’ll be back to normal in a day or two. But nausea that lasts for days? Or comes back every time you exercise? It’s awful.

Football Concussions: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Recovery

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen February 13th, 2020 Updated March 8, 2023

The topic of football concussions is a controversial one. If you’re a football player worried about the long-term health of your brain, it can be confusing to wade through all the information out there. Opinions range anywhere from people claiming that all the worry about football concussions is ruining the game to those who want to ban tackle football, for children (since kids who play tackle football sustain 15 times more head impacts than children who play flag football, according to the CDC).

Functional Neurology: What It Is and What Patients Need to Know

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen February 7th, 2020 Updated May 23, 2022

Modern traditional medicine has transformed the way we diagnose and treat disease and injury. And in most cases, it is extremely effective. But it doesn’t always provide the solutions patients need to improve their quality of life, especially when they suffer from poorly characterized ailments (such as unexplained chronic pain, fibromyalgia, or movement disorders).

Post-Concussion Brain Fog: Why Your Brain Can’t Keep Up

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen January 21st, 2020 Updated January 21, 2023

Brain fog is one of the most common symptoms of a concussion. On lists of warning signs of a concussion, it might be listed as “trouble concentrating,” “slowness in thinking,” or even “difficulty remembering and learning new information.”

The Link Between Concussions and Attention Deficit Disorder

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen January 20th, 2020 Updated March 8, 2023

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is difficult enough to handle alone. When you add concussions into the mix, it can feel overwhelming. The relationship between ADHD, concussions, and post-concussion syndrome is still being researched, but that doesn’t mean there’s no good info or treatment options for patients who need them.

Light Sensitivity: What Causes It and What You Can Do About It (Especially if It’s Concussion Related)

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen January 9th, 2020 Updated March 8, 2023

Light sensitivity (photophobia) can manifest in different ways for different people. For example, you might:

Soccer Concussions: Myths, Facts, Prevention, and Recovery

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen December 20th, 2019 Updated January 21, 2023

If you ask the average American which sport causes the most concussions, they’re probably going to say, “football.” It’s a contact sport with violent collisions on many plays. Football players take repeated hits to the head and often suffer concussions.

Post Concussion Syndrome & Sleep: Why You’re Suffering and What to Do About It

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen October 22nd, 2019 Updated March 8, 2023

When you get a concussion, you may worry about when it’s safe to sleep. You might even have a friend or a family member wake you up every few hours. And while that is sometimes necessary (if you have a severe injury and have not yet received medical attention), most of the time, it’s better to sleep as much as you can while you heal.

Post-Concussion Headaches: Causes & Treatment Options

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen August 12th, 2019 Updated March 6, 2023

“I feel like there’s a tight band around my head.” “My head feels like it’s blowing up like a balloon.” “I have a constant pressure headache.” “I feel like my head is being pulled apart between the eyes.”

Medication for Post-Concussion Syndrome: Does It Work?

By: Dr. Jaycie Loewen June 20th, 2019 Updated March 6, 2023

Many doctors aren’t aware that concussions can cause long-lasting symptoms, a condition commonly called post-concussion syndrome (PCS). As a result, they treat common symptoms rather than the underlying condition, which often involves prescription medications for each symptom. If you do manage to get a diagnosis, then the default treatment is often still medication — not because it’s the most effective option, but because many healthcare providers don’t have the connections or resources to offer other options.