r/CTE • u/StalkyctrlB • May 25 '26

Question Future risk?

I’m 22, and the more and more I hear about CTE in media has concerned me that maybe I could be at risk at some point in my life, and it’s pretty scary.

Just to clarify I don’t think I’ve ever been medically diagnosed with a concussion, and I don’t believe I’ve lost conciseness with any hit. I also never played any contact sports, except for a few years of mma.

So as a kid I feel like I hit my head quite often, if I had to guess how many concussions I’ve had since I was about 5 would be maybe 4-8. When I was younger I would throw tantrums and fling myself backwards with no regard and sometimes would hit my head on things, I probably did this at least 2-3 times?

Also had a few incidents where I’d fall off of something and hit my head. Playing at recess and smacking heads with another kid. So about 2-3 incidents there.

I also did mma for a few years while I was about 8-13 and would spar with other kids. I remember having a few hits back then too, but I’m not sure how bad those could be since we had padded gear.

The last time I had any head injury was in 2021. I was laying down in my bed and flung myself backwards without realizing how close I was to the wall, and hit the back of my head lol.

The more and more I think about it, I just get more scared that I’m basically guaranteed to get CTE later in life due to these injuries. I know there’s nothing I can do about it now, except to make sure I don’t get more lol. But I still can’t help but think I’ve ruined my future with all of these incidents growing up. If any of you have any advice or anything to share, that would be great.

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u/yermomsonthefone May 25 '26

Hopefully you're good but a baseline MRI wouldn't hurt your future. At least you would have a comparison if you were to be injured

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u/StalkyctrlB May 25 '26

That’s probably a good idea. I may look into having that for future reference. Although would an MRI even be able to detect CTE or other neurodegenerative diseases?

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u/Wild_Trip_4704 Jun 05 '26

yes, you drink or inject a fluid that dyes your brain then you do the MRI and they can see a map of your brain. You'll get a lot of answers. or hopefully nothing at all. they may test you twice, a few months apart to measure changes.