1,10Īdequate gut health is essential to cognitive wellness as the digestive process provides crucial enzymes and nutrients for neurological health. Evidence suggests that obesity causes inflammation in the brain, and poor diet affects energy consumption and production processes. 8,9 Dietīrain fog and impaired cognitive function are related to diet in two main ways–nutritional deficiencies and obesity. 1 (almost twice the legal limit in the U.S.). In fact, sleep deprivation for a period of 48 hours has the same impact on cognitive ability as a blood alcohol content of. Sleeping less than seven or eight hours negatively impacts thinking, attention, concentration, and reaction times. Lack of Sleepīrain fog also occurs due to a lack of sleep. 7 Additionally, depression impacts specific neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and glutamate, associated with healthy cognitive function. Disruptions to these areas decrease interaction between white matter and gray matter, sometimes contributing to depression-induced memory loss and brain fog. 5 In short, the extra energy allocated to deal with stress results in less mental energy for cognitive processing.ĭepression impacts neurological regions, including the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and basal ganglia. 4,5,6 One study suggests that increased anxiety, with or without the threat of physical harm, leads to decreased cognitive performance and working memory impairment. In fact, research suggests that anxiety and memory loss are often connected. 1,3 AnxietyĮxperiencing brain fog during high stress is common because anxiety takes up mental capacity and resources. Stress can also perpetuate mental health issues and facilitate chronic medical conditions. Chronic or toxic stress can lead to oxidative stress (imbalance of oxidant generation and antioxidant response), causing inflammation in the body and brain. Stress is a common denominator when examining the causes of brain fog. Here are the potential causes of brain fog: Stress For example, brain fog can stem from a physical or mental condition, thus dictating how treatment aims to address presenting issues. There are many potential causes of brain fog. Decrease in mental clarity and alertness.Memory impairment (both short and long-term).Decreased concentration/easily distracted.The frequency, intensity, and duration depend on the cause, prognosis, and the ability to engage in successful intervention. 2īrain fog encompasses a group of symptoms, including decreased concentration, confusion, and physical and mental fatigue. One may be physically present but feel incredibly absent. This experience can make attention and concentration seem impossible. Sometimes, individuals report being lost in a daze, watching the world around them while feeling disconnected. People often describe brain fog as ‘feeling fuzzy’ or scatterbrained. Brain fog resulting from a chronic condition or medical issue typically lasts longer, while symptoms caused by mental health issues may be more treatable and shorter in duration. In regard to mental health, clients struggling with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and neurodivergent conditions commonly report experiencing brain fog.ĭepending on the cause, brain fog can last anywhere from a few hours to months. 1 Additional causes include dehydration, hormonal imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, lack of sleep, and certain medications. This experience is not diagnosable and instead defined by symptom presentation, including decreased cognitive ability, impaired concentration, inability to multitask, and long or short-term memory loss.Įvidence suggests that stress, obesity, and exposure to mold may cause brain inflammation and lead to brain fog. Brain fog, also known as mental fog, is an umbrella term for a series of symptoms.
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