Chronic Pain Linked to Brain Health in Former Players
Former football players using certain medications for pain reported higher rates of neurobehavioral issues in a 2026 study.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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Do you worry that long-term use of pain medication may negatively affect your long-term mental health?
A 2026 study published in the journal Neurology found that chronic pain and the use of centrally acting medications were linked to neurobehavioral dysregulation in former professional and collegiate football players. This research examined how long-term pain management may influence brain health outcomes later in life.
Why it matters
Understanding the interplay between chronic pain, medication use, and neurobehavioral symptoms helps clarify how retired athletes might experience cognitive and behavioral challenges. This analysis highlights specific factors, such as pain severity, that may be more relevant to brain health than the cumulative number of past orthopedic surgeries.
In a 2026 analysis of 236 men, researchers observed that centrally acting medication use and average daily pain were significantly associated with neurobehavioral dysregulation compared to unexposed participants. This observational study assessed outcomes including impulsivity, depression, and aggression.
The players
Neurology
This peer-reviewed medical journal, published by the American Academy of Neurology, focuses on clinical and scientific research in the field of neurology.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
This federal agency, part of the National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports research on neurological disorders and brain health.
The details
Researchers utilized data from the Diagnostics, Imaging, and Genetics Network for the Objective Study and Evaluation of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy to evaluate the men. Centrally acting medications work by altering neurotransmitter activity within the central nervous system to manage pain. The study identified that for every additional centrally acting medication used, the odds of neurobehavioral dysregulation increased by a factor of 2.15, while higher pain levels increased these odds by 1.55.
Timeline
2021: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke criteria were published.
2026: The study was published in the journal Neurology.
Health Landscape
This study expands upon the Diagnostics, Imaging, and Genetics Network for the Objective Study and Evaluation of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy by isolating the specific influence of pain management on behavioral regulation. It represents a shift from focusing solely on orthopedic injury history to examining the role of systemic medication use in the long-term neurological health of retired athletes.
If you are a former contact-sport athlete experiencing changes in mood, behavior, or cognitive function, it is worth discussing your complete medication list and pain history with your physician. They can help evaluate whether any current treatments might be contributing to your symptoms or if alternative approaches for managing chronic pain are appropriate.
The takeaway
Chronic pain management strategies involving centrally acting medications may play a more significant role in long-term neurobehavioral health than previously recognized. Patients should maintain an updated list of all prescribed and over-the-counter medications to review with a doctor during annual checkups.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving understanding of brain health, visit our section on Alzheimer’s.
More information
View the Original research paper on Neurology website for a complete breakdown of the findings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Psychiatry Advisor.
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Do you worry that long-term use of pain medication may negatively affect your long-term mental health?
