Former BYU Football Star Dr. Larry Carr Shares Groundbreaking Research on Brain Health, CTE, and Recovery

In this powerful episode of Million Dollar Minutes and The Neil Haley Show, hosts Neil Haley and Ryan August welcomed former BYU Hall of Fame linebacker, exercise physiologist, and brain health researcher Dr. Larry Carr for an eye-opening discussion about football, brain injuries, CTE, mental health, and revolutionary research that may change the future of neurological recovery.Dr. Carr's journey began on the football field. Starting at just 10 years old, he played football throughout his childhood, high school, college, and eventually professionally in Canada. While many athletes relied on physical gifts, Dr. Carr credits much of his success to preparation and intelligence. As he explained during the interview, he spent countless hours studying film and learning opponents' tendencies because he knew he couldn't rely solely on athletic ability.Despite his success, years of repetitive head impacts would eventually take a toll.As he entered his 50s and approached age 60, Dr. Carr began noticing significant cognitive and emotional changes. He described a gradual decline that affected nearly every aspect of his life. Depression, anxiety, memory issues, emotional instability, and cognitive struggles became increasingly difficult to manage. At the time, public awareness surrounding CTE and football-related brain injuries was still limited compared to today.Seeking answers, he visited neurologists who ultimately informed him that he showed signs of significant brain damage related to years of football participation. The diagnosis was devastating.Dr. Carr explained that this period represented one of the darkest chapters of his life. His relationships suffered, his marriage was strained, and he struggled to understand why he was changing so dramatically. Determined to find answers, he began researching brain injuries extensively and eventually connected with renowned CTE researcher Dr. Ann McKee in Boston.When Dr. Carr met with Dr. McKee, he hoped she might have a solution. Instead, she delivered difficult news. At the time, there were no proven treatments for CTE. Medications could potentially manage symptoms, but no therapies existed that could address the underlying neurological damage.However, Dr. McKee pointed him toward a research study being conducted through the Department of Veterans Affairs involving photobiomodulation therapy, a form of light therapy being used to help veterans suffering from brain injuries.That recommendation changed everything.Dr. Carr became the first former football player enrolled in the study. Researchers evaluated him through multiple treatment phases, including sessions using specialized light therapy devices designed to stimulate brain function and neurological repair.The results were remarkable.According to Dr. Carr, improvements appeared in nearly every category researchers measured. Depression decreased. Anxiety improved. PTSD symptoms lessened. Cognitive performance improved. Emotional stability returned. Most importantly, he regained quality of life and began feeling like himself again.He credits the treatment with saving both his marriage and his future.Inspired by these outcomes, Dr. Carr dedicated himself to studying how this technology could help others. His research eventually expanded into athletics, where he began examining the effects of repetitive head impacts on football players.One of the most important points discussed during the interview was Dr. Carr's belief that concussions alone are not the primary issue.Instead, he explained that repetitive acceleration and deceleration forces may be equally damaging. Every tackle, collision, or sudden stop causes the brain to move inside the skull. Even without a diagnosed concussion, these repetitive forces may create inflammation and neurological stress over time.To investigate further, Dr. Carr helped conduct research involving BYU football players.The findings were striking.Researchers examined players who used photobiomodulation technology and compared them to players who did not. Brain imaging revealed significant differences between the two groups. Players using the technology demonstrated healthier brain scans, reduced inflammation, and improved neurological markers by season's end. In some cases, their brains appeared healthier after the season than before it began.Meanwhile, players who did not use the technology showed increased inflammation and signs of neurological stress.The implications extend far beyond football.Dr. Carr emphasized that similar risks may affect soccer players, military veterans, firefighters, race car drivers, rodeo competitors, wrestlers, and others exposed to repetitive head movement and impact. Many people may be experiencing neurological symptoms without realizing their struggles are connected to accumulated brain trauma.The conversation also explored potential applications for dementia, Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other neurological conditions.Dr. Carr noted that billions of dollars continue to be spent researching treatments for Alzheimer's and cognitive decline. While traditional pharmaceutical approaches have faced challenges, photobiomodulation may offer a completely different path forward by supporting the brain's natural healing processes.Looking ahead, his team hopes to expand studies involving retired NFL players, military veterans, and young athletes. He is particularly interested in researching adolescent mental health, believing that early intervention may help address rising rates of depression, anxiety, and emotional struggles among young people.Throughout the interview, Dr. Carr repeatedly emphasized that the goal is not simply diagnosing neurological problems but finding solutions. While awareness of CTE has grown dramatically over the past decade, many athletes and families still feel powerless when confronted with these challenges.His research offers hope that effective interventions may exist.For Dr. Larry Carr, the mission has become deeply personal. What began as a search to save himself has evolved into a commitment to helping countless others protect and restore their brain health.His story serves as both a warning about the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma and an inspiring example of how research, perseverance, and innovation can create new possibilities for recovery and healing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-neil-haley-show--6503396/support.