What Is Brain Fog?

Brain fog keeps you from getting things done – leaving those pesky to-do lists untouched day after day.

Everyone suffers from brain fog at one point in their lives, and it happens to people that the world views as the most productive members of society.

When you’re experiencing a cloudiness in your mind, you may very well be suffering from brain fog.

But before we actually dig deeper into the time-wasting, sluggish brain fog that stops you from being 100% committed to anything you do, let’s first take a look at a few of the symptoms associated with brain fog. After all, how do you know if you have brain fog without first knowing the symptoms that you should be experiencing?

Brain Fog Symptoms – What to Expect

What’s really interesting is that the symptoms of brain fog are similar in nature to those of people that suffer from dementia. But don’t worry – the major difference between the two is that brain fog isn’t permanent.

You can function normally again.

The symptoms that many people exhibit are likely symptoms that you’re experiencing, too:

• Short-term memory
• Lack of concentration
• Lack of motivation
• The feeling of a memory “wall”

A memory “wall” is something I like to call a symptom. Memory walls are obstacles in your memory’s way that can’t be overcome no matter how hard you try. Think of this as struggling to get through the work day and for some reason, you can’t seem to remain focused. Your brain is overloaded and cloudy, and breaking through this “wall” or “fog” is a feat best suited for an Olympian.

Brain fog is simply that cloudiness that causes difficulty when trying to remember information, difficulty learning and even difficulty trying to concentrate. Mental confusion is also a symptom of brain fog.

The Risks of Brain Fog

You experience many of the symptoms above on a regular basis, and a lack of motivation or a brief episode of cloudiness isn’t the end of the world. Life could be a lot worse than forgetting where you placed your keys or having to read over material a few times before actually remembering it.

The issue with brain fog isn’t so much the symptoms as it is the result of the symptoms.

A person suffering from brain fog for an extended period of time can:

• Feel Depressed: People that have brain fog often exhibit symptoms of depression. The depressive feelings are a result of feeling inadequate and as if something is wrong. A person that is always second-guessing themselves will start to feel depressed.
• Feel Anxious: What is wrong with me? Why can’t I remember things? How can I be confident in myself if I’m always in a fog? All of these questions will find a way to break through the brain fog and cause a feeling of anxiousness. This can you to skip class, not go out with friends, or even make you feel like you’re isolated.
• Feel Discouraged: All of the depression and anxiety also leads to discouragement. A feeling of I can’t do this or I am not “smart” enough to complete this task will sneak up on a person with brain fog.

The good news is that there are causes for brain fog that can be corrected. This isn’t a condition that has to be a lifelong problem if you take the right correction steps.

What Causes Brain Fog?

The causes of brain fog are vast.

And there are so many causes that you’re likely to have one of them even if you’re not suffering from real mental confusion. Brain fog is an interesting diagnosis for anyone to have.

A few of the key causes for brain fog may include:

1. Diet: You are what you eat!  This is a phrase that all health gurus love to tell their clients that are trying to lose weight and get fit.

   So, if you eat a bunch of sugar (one of the foods associated with brain fog), you’re sweet. But at the root of sugar is refined carbohydrates that cause blood sugar surges that lead to crashes. Glucose levels can be best described as a rollercoaster at this time: after the whirls, twirls, loops and turns, everything comes to a halt as glucose levels slow down. Low brain glucose is one of the causes of brain fog, but this isn’t the only dietary cause of brain fog.

   You may also get foggy from:

   1. Low-fat diets (60% of your brain is fat)
   2. Food allergies (wheat, corn and soy are among the biggest contributors to food allergies)
   3. Wheat
   4. Food additives (I’m looking at you, MSG)
2. Deficiencies: Humans have evolved, taking great strides along the way. One stride that is a blessing and a curse is that food is available everywhere. Just walk into the grocery store, and you’ll find apples year round that don’t grow in your country due to seasonal changes. You’ll also find meat, and what seems like a trillion other food choices to pick from (in just aisle one alone). Humans have become picky eaters. This pickiness has led to nutritional deficiencies that leaves your brain in a fog.

   A few of the most common deficiencie include:

   1. Vitamin B12
   2. Vitamin D
   3. Omega-3 essential fatty acids
   4. Magnesium
   5. Dozens of other nutrients
3. Lack of Sleep: Sleep is so important for your body that people sleep 4 months out of the year. In retrospect, sleep seems like wasted time, but it’s a must for proper brain function. And 40 million Americans alone suffer from nearly 70 different sleep disorders that keep them up at night.

   Just think how many times you check Facebook or your texts in the middle of the night – it’s not healthy.

   Sleep causes cerebral fluids to gush over the brain, cleaning away actual debris that affects your mental function. Brain cells are created, memories are stored, and your body heals faster at night.

4. Stress: I’m no scientist, but I am confident in the fact that stress causes dozens of issues from heart problems to brain fog. Stress wears the body and brain down, and if you have too much stress in your life, you’ll quickly find that your best friend is brain fog.
5. Lack of Exercise: If you’re not as active as you should be, raise your hand. Physical exercise stimulates the brain, causing you to form new brain cells, and also reduces stress hormones in the body. Sitting all day in a cubicle isn’t just bad for your muscle mass and weight – your brain is suffering, too.

And this is just the start of the causes of brain fog – there are many others, too, including:

• Health issues
• Medications
• Toxins

How to Get Rid of Brain Fog

The million-dollar question: how do you get rid of brain fog? This depends on the underlying cause of brain fog.

And as you may have guessed, a few of the ways to get rid of brain fog are:

• Dietary Changes: Cutting down on sugar, caffeine, processed foods, foods that may be causing allergic reactions and simple carbs is a good start. There are also brain supplements for brain fog, which act to boost the vitamins and minerals that brain needs to function at optimal levels – reducing the fog quickly and efficiently.
• Meditate: You might not be a Buddhist and meditation may seem like hippy mumbo jumbo, but you know what? It works, and it’s free. Meditation has been shown to reduce stress, relax the mind and clear away the dreaded brain fog.
• Sleep the Recommended Amount of Time: Studies show that you should be sleeping 7 – 8 hours per night on average. Older people will need to sleep slightly less. But the general rule of thumb is to sleep 7 – 8 hours.
• Exercise: A few hours per week of exercise can help you break down the anxiety and stress you’re feeling while helping you get rid of brain fog. If you sit at a desk most of the day, some exercise will do you good.
• Supplements: Believe it or not, supplements can make a profound impact on your brain fog symptoms.  You have a lot of choices in the Nootropics market but it is well worth the effort to find the right balance of supplements.   Try a supplement featuring Noopept and see how that works for you.   If you prefer a all in one stack, there are several contenders for the real limitless pill and most have a free trial offer.

These are just some of the numerous ways to break through the brain fog and start to feel more like your younger self. Every person is different, but with a few small tweaks, you’ll find that brain fog can be a thing of the past.

In the event that you have a medical issue, treating the issue or changing medications can do wonders to help you get through the brain fog blues.