Part 2: Neurological Whiplash Symptoms - Emotional/Behavioural Changes

Whiplash, the Gut, and the Brain: A Hidden Connection

As stated in the last post, whiplash happens when the head is suddenly and forcefully thrown backward and then forward—like the cracking of a whip. This motion can strain muscles, ligaments, and vertebrae in the neck. But it's not just the neck that's affected; this violent movement can also cause mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), which often manifest as a specific cluster of neurological whiplash symptoms.

The Brain Takes a Hit

Even without direct impact, whiplash can jostle the brain inside the skull. This kind of trauma—often called a “coup-contrecoup” injury—can lead to classic neurological whiplash symptoms such as headaches, memory issues, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. In some cases, people also experience significant changes in mood and behaviour.

Recent studies suggest these behavioural changes may be linked not only to the initial brain injury but also to changes in gut health.

The Gut-Brain Axis: Connecting the Gut to Neurological Whiplash Symptoms

You might’ve heard of the “gut-brain connection”—the fact that your digestive system and brain are closely linked. Science has shown that the gut and brain constantly communicate via nerves, hormones, and immune signals.

After a traumatic brain injury (TBI)—even a mild one like those caused by whiplash—researchers have found changes in the gut’s barrier function. Essentially, the lining of the gut becomes more permeable (often called “leaky gut”). This allows bacteria and inflammatory molecules to escape into the bloodstream, which can trigger widespread inflammation—including in the brain. This inflammatory response can significantly worsen existing neurological whiplash symptoms.

How This Affects Behaviour

Inflammation in the brain is a known factor in mood disorders, anxiety, and cognitive changes. When the gut barrier is compromised after a brain injury, the brain may experience a secondary wave of damage.

In short: whiplash can lead to brain injury, which may disrupt gut barrier health, and that disruption can worsen behavioural and cognitive symptoms. Some people may notice they become more anxious, depressed, or forgetful after an injury that didn’t seem "serious" at the time. Understanding the gut-brain link helps explain why these neurological whiplash symptoms occur—and what can be done about them.

What Can You Do About These Neurological Whiplash Symptoms?

If you or someone you know is experiencing behavioural changes after a neck or head injury, here are a few steps to consider:

• Seek medical advice: Don’t ignore mood or behaviour changes, even if the injury seemed minor.

• Support gut health: Eating a balanced diet, reducing stress, and avoiding highly processed foods can help maintain a healthy gut barrier during recovery.

• Ask about anti-inflammatory approaches: Some treatments target systemic inflammation to support both brain and gut healing, effectively calming the neurological whiplash symptoms.

The Bottom Line

Whiplash isn’t just about a stiff neck. It can set off a chain reaction involving the brain and gut that leads to real changes in behaviour. The good news is that science is catching up—and with awareness and the right care, healing is possible from the inside out.

More about Dr. Thomas Jarka, DC

Sources and Further Reading

1. Mayer, E. A., et al. (2015). Gut/brain axis and the microbiota. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 125(3), 926–938. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI76304

2. Houlden, A., et al. (2016). Brain injury induces specific changes in the caecal microbiota of mice via altered autonomic activity and mucoprotein production. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 57, 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2016.03.003

3. Treangen, T. J., et al. (2018). The gut microbiome after traumatic brain injury: What we know and what we need to know. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 8, 240. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00240

4. Ma, E. L., et al. (2017). Traumatic brain injury increases vulnerability to intestinal damage. Neurotherapeutics, 14(2), 298–311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-017-0503-3

5. Sekirov, I., et al. (2010). Gut microbiota in health and disease. Physiological Reviews, 90(3), 859–904. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00045.2009