Brain fog, we all hear the term tossed around in conversation, but what is it really? Is it just having an off day when you don’t recall where you put your keys? Or is it a really bad day where you forget where you put your car? Googling the symptom will tell you, “Clouding of consciousness, also called brain fog or mental fog, occurs when a person is slightly less wakeful or aware than normal. They are less aware of time and their surroundings and find it difficult to pay attention. People describe this subjective sensation as their mind being “foggy.”

Brain Fog, be Damned!

With brain fog, you tend not to feel ” clear-headed.” Your pattern of thinking may seem slower than normal, grasping for words you know. It can make the simplest things hard to get through because you may just feel out of it. 

There are so many things that can cause this brain fog, i.e., Depression, anxiety, stress, drugs (legal or illegal) or alcohol, insomnia, aging, jet lag, Lyme disease, antihistamines, lupus, hormonal changes during pregnancy, too much screen time … all have been associated with brain fog. One of the most common is menopause … wow, that was a lot. So basically, being alive in today’s social climate means you’re sure to have a touch of it. 

Now that we’ve diagnosed your problem, how do we fix it? 

There are so many different methods you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting one. 

Vitamins 

Of course, vitamins! The top 5 vitamins you can incorporate into your daily routine are B complex, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, and Omega-3 fatty acids. 

Remember, vitamins are revered as “natural,” even though many vitamins are full of fillers these days, so buyer beware. Still, they can take 1-3 months to fully integrate into your system and start building you up where you need it. 

Also, low magnesium, vitamin C, and choline levels may cause brain fog, but let’s start with the vitamins we know will turn us around versus trying to guess at it. 

Mushrooms 

I know what you’re thinking: aren’t those naturally occurring mushrooms typically consumed for their hallucinogenic effects? You know, taking you to a higher level of thinking, existing and transcending. Just kidding, there are some great mushrooms you can take to improve brain health and kick brain fog’s butt.  

Mushroom #1, which has been getting a lot of attention when it comes to brain health, is Lion’s Mane, which is identified by its long, white, fluffy top. It contains two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: Hericenones and Erinacines (3). In fact, lion’s mane mushroom and its extracts have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice and prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease. 

Mushroom #2 Cordyceps, I know what you’re thinking. We’ve all seen The Last of Us, Joel Miller, and Ellie fight for their lives 20 years into a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection causing its hosts to transform into crazed zombie-like creatures. But really, like that could happen … Anyways, while Lion’s Mane contains a compound called Hericenones, which is known to reduce stress, improve memory, and enhance cognitive function. On the other hand, Cordyceps is packed with polysaccharides, which are beneficial for reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system. 

So don’t worry. The Last of Us is Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis, also known as zombie-ant fungus. Just make sure not to buy these and start eating people. 

Exercise

Fitness is a surefire way to combat brain fog. While we still may be working out the mechanism, we do know that exercise can help you feel sharper. Getting the heart pumping and increasing the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout your body, including the brain, can boost brain cell performance.

Research suggests exercise can improve your ability to organize and interpret information and act in a way that makes sense, something called “executive function.” I know, big fancy words, but this one is pretty interesting, “In cognitive science and neuropsychology, executive functions are a set of cognitive processes that support goal-directed behavior by regulating thoughts and actions through cognitive control, selecting and successfully monitoring actions that facilitate the attainment of chosen objectives.” 

Over time, exercise has been proven to almost rewire the brain by changing the structure of white matter in a way that helps brain cells connect. Researchers believe that even exercising once can start this reaction. 

Diet 

So many people are simply living with chronic brain fog, and it’s caused by diet and other factors. I would agree that most of the brain fog could very easily come from overprocessed junk food that is part of the American diet. Even when we try to avoid some of these foods, they are so readily available that even indulging once in a while could have a lasting effect on our bodies, minds, and performance. 

Be sure you are eating healthy and nutritious meals, getting 30 minutes of physical activity each day, writing down important information so you don’t forget it, and taking short breaks (about 30 minutes each) throughout the day to reduce overworking your brain.

There are so many things we can do in our daily lives to try and kick the brain fog, and what will work for you may not work for the next guy. It’s a matter of trial and error, but the key is to try. Some people will respond very well to simple positive thinking and stress reduction; others will be mushrooms and exercise. Maybe it’s just getting toxic people and or jobs out of your life, or hell, maybe you’re like Dexter, and you just need a little murder to help clear your mind. Whatever it is, like Mike says, “Just Do It” and get on with your life.