June 17, 2024
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Are you feeling like your mind is constantly clouded? Are you having a hard time remembering things or struggling to focus? 

Well, these are tell-tale signs that you might be experiencing brain fog.

Brain fog can feel like our cognitive function is slowing down. It’s like trying to see the road in the middle of a downpour or blizzard. Simply put, we aren’t as sharp. We might experience memory problems and increasing mental fatigue. It can be frustrating, especially if this continues for days or weeks.

Fortunately, various ways exist to reduce brain fog and improve cognitive function and overall mental health.

If you’re interested in what underlying cause could be contributing to your brain fog and how you can potentially get rid of it, keep reading…

Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll discover: 

What is Brain Fog? 

Brain fog is actually not a medical condition but a cognitive symptom with various sub-symptoms. For instance, symptoms of brain fog may include:

In fact, the side effects of the above can significantly impact your daily life. It can disrupt daily functioning, affecting work, academics, and other routine activities. 

Yet, brain fog itself is often caused by lapses in our lifestyles. At the same time, it can also serve as a key indicator of various underlying health issues.

Causes of Brain Fog

Brain fog can occur due to multiple reasons, including high levels of stress, lack of sleep, menopause, pregnancy, poor nutrition, and certain medical conditions.

High Levels of Stress

Stress is common in modern society. High stress can increase blood pressure, weaken the immune system, and even impact mood. 

When you’re constantly stressed for a long time, it can lead to various problems, including increasing mental fatigue. In turn, this can lead to difficulties in thinking clearly, making decisions, or paying attention.

Lack of Sleep

Sleep is essential for every human being on the planet. It’s usually a good idea to try to get 8 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night. This helps regulate the nervous system and aids in the formation and maintenance of new neural pathways.

With poor sleep, however, your brain doesn’t work as it should. It can make it hard to focus and think clearly. As a result, your thoughts might feel fuzzy or unclear.

This also means that improving your sleep habits can lead to big changes in your cognitive function. If improvements in your sleep hygiene don’t enhance your sleep, a sleep disorder may be present. If you continue to struggle with sleep, it may be worthwhile to see a specialist and undergo a sleep study.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes take place at various points in our lives. For example, puberty gives way to many hormonal shifts. Meanwhile, pregnancy and menopause also involve hormonal changes and can lead to brain fog.

When the hormones in our bodies change, it can interfere with how we think. For example, when a woman is pregnant, the hormones progesterone and estrogen increase. This shift can impact memory functions and make it hard to think clearly for a while. 

Likewise, when women go through menopause and their estrogen levels drop, they might experience forgetfulness, have trouble focusing, and feel like their thoughts are a bit cloudy. 

Additionally, hormonal imbalances caused by lifestyle choices or diet can also cause brain fog.

Poor Nutrition

Our diets lay the foundation for how your body and brain function. If your body doesn’t get enough of certain vitamins or nutrients, your mind can feel foggy. Just like a car needs fuel to run smoothly, your brain needs proper vitamins and nutrients to function optimally. 

A common deficiency that can lead to brain fog is not getting enough vitamin B12. When we become deficient in this vitamin, which must be consumed daily, we can experience various cognitive impairments. It’s like trying to drive a car with an empty gas tank; your brain might feel sluggish, slow, and foggy because it’s not getting the energy it needs to work at its best.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Certain health conditions, such as inflammation, fatigue, or changes in blood sugar levels, can lead to mental fogginess. In fact, brain fog is a hallmark symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Other health conditions that may lead to brain fog include:

It’s worth noting that brain fog is different from dementia, such as that associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia-related conditions are more likely to impact memory loss, leading to increasing forgetfulness. If you notice this symptom and specifically this symptom alone, it’s a good idea to book a visit with a healthcare practitioner to undergo the necessary testing.

At the same time, even certain medications, including sleep and pain medications, can lead to brain fog. Discuss your options with your doctor if you suspect this is the case. 

Can Brain Fog Be Cured?

The exact treatment of brain fog depends on the cause. For example, if you’re deficient in vitamin B12, taking supplements or adding more vitamin B12-rich foods to your diet, such as eggs, sardines, beef, or tuna, can help. 

In other cases, such as anemia, your doctor may recommend iron supplements. For autoimmune conditions, your healthcare practitioner may advise you on strategies to reduce inflammation. For instance, consuming more antioxidants can help lower inflammation in the body by neutralizing free radicals. Ultimately, the solution to brain fog usually depends on what is causing it in the first place.

How to Get Rid of Brain Fog Quickly

To increase your brain power and get rid of brain fog, your doctor may also suggest various lifestyle changes, including:

At VYVE, we also offer a scientifically proven process for improving brain health. Our neurocognitive optimization program is designed to address your specific neurobiology.

Here’s how you can break free from brain fog in 3 key steps:

Step 1

We begin by identifying the root causes and barriers to optimal brain health through advanced testing. Using cutting-edge EEG technology, we map the areas of your brain that require attention the most. This allows us to craft a perfectly tailored cognitive training program. 

Guided by your lab results and brain map, this program is custom-built to level up your brain function within just 60 days.

Step 2

You’ll have access to an easy-to-use brain training tool. This tool helps you break free from old thinking patterns and swiftly transition into positive mental states. 

By using neurofeedback, you’ll learn how to think, feel, and perform better, all while enjoying your favorite TV shows. Additionally, our board-certified health coaches will collaborate with you to explore diet and lifestyle upgrades.

Step 3

As you progress through the program, you’ll witness tangible evidence of your brain’s evolution. Through a follow-up EEG scan, we show a minimum of 25% improvements in brain function over the last 60 days. These improvements often include a better mood, enhanced memory, increased creativity, and greater productivity, enriching your daily life. 

Overall, brain fog is a complex symptom with various underlying causes, including stress, sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, poor nutrition, and certain medical conditions. While it can disrupt daily functioning, there is hope for improvement through tailored interventions, like VYVE’s neurocognitive optimization program. 

By addressing root causes and utilizing advanced techniques, such as neurofeedback and personalized coaching, you can break free from brain fog and use your brain’s full potential for long-term cognitive wellness and peak performance.

To Life Enhanced, 

Dr. Will Haas, MD, MBA

Whenever you’re ready, book an appointment to get started with VYVE’s neurocognitive optimization program and pave your way toward improved well-being.