Brain Fog: How to Naturally Get Rid of Brain Fatigue

If you struggle with poor focus, mental fatigue, or confusion, brain fog may be the culprit. Though not a medically recognized condition, brain fog is a common complaint. The condition often happens in older people but can affect people of any age. Generally speaking, brain fog is a dysfunction in your ability to focus, learn, and remember.

If you have brain fog, natural remedies can clear the mist, so to speak. When you engage in lifestyle changes — diet, exercise, sleep, and nutritional supplements — you can improve your mental clarity and energy.

What Is Brain Fog?

Brain fog is a general term for mild to moderate difficulty with focus, concentration, memory, and other cognitive functions. Brain fog can present in different ways, many of which are subjective and self-reported.^[1] You may experience mental fatigue, have difficulty finding the right words to express yourself, or feel slow, spaced-out, or forgetful. You might get easily distracted from daily tasks, have difficulty following conversations, or have poor concentration, mental clarity, and memory. Because brain fog is not a medical disorder, you may recognize it when you realize that you have a "cluster" of these symptoms.

Brain Fog Symptoms

If you have brain fog, you may experience one or more of the following:

• Mental fatigue
• Forgetfulness
• Being easily distracted
• Poor memory
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling "spaced out"
• Disorientation
• Irritability

The Top 7 Causes of Brain Fog

Hormonal changes, side effects from medications, and normal aging all contribute to the symptoms of brain fog. Here are the top seven causes.

1. Stress

Mental stress causes your body to produce excessive levels of the hormone cortisol. Stress also suppresses your immune system and stimulates your adrenal system, which releases certain hormones, like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. When stress hormones get activated, it can impair working memory, concentration, motivation, and other physiological changes that lead to brain fog.^[2]

2. Poor Dietary Choices

What you put in your body affects how efficiently your brain works. A diet full of high-fat or sugary foods can impair memory and other brain activities.^[3] Many low-fat processed foods advertised as "good for you" are not: they contain chemical preservatives, MSG, and excess sodium, and are generally bad for your brain.

For peak mental performance, your diet should contain a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, as well as the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need. A deficiency of any essential nutrient may cause brain fog. Make sure you drink plenty of water and avoid dehydration, which causes headaches and reduces mental focus.

3. Allergies & Food Intolerances

Food allergies or sensitivities — particularly with wheat gluten or dairy — may worsen brain fog. As one scientist puts it, "gluten sensitivity can be primarily, and at times, exclusively, a neurological disease." There exists a clear link between the gut and the brain. Celiac disease, a condition caused when someone sensitive to gluten continues consuming it, causes inflammation in the digestive system that, in turn, influences balance, concentration, and memory.^[4] Likewise, consuming dairy when you have lactose intolerance or an allergy impacts the central nervous system and can cause brain fog.

4. Medications

Many commonly prescribed and over-the-counter medications may reduce your mental clarity. Benzodiazepines (a class of drugs prescribed to treat anxiety), opiate pain medications, and prescription and non-prescription sleep aids may exacerbate brain fog. Some medications can interact with each other, or even with over-the-counter products and nutritional supplements, amplifying their effects and affecting mental clarity.

5. Health Conditions

Certain medical conditions may impair cognition. For example, Type 2 diabetes not only affects mental focus due to changes in blood glucose levels, but it also may come with emotional challenges like depression.^[5] Similarly, low thyroid function and Hashimoto's disease cause brain fog symptoms including fatigue and memory lapse. Depression, anemia, high blood pressure, and autoimmune disorders like lupus or multiple sclerosis are other health conditions linked to brain fog. Although not a medical condition, addiction to nicotine caused by smoking or other tobacco products may also contribute to brain fog, especially during withdrawals.

6. Inadequate Sleep

The top two causes people attributed their brain fog to were physical fatigue and sleep deprivation.^[6] A review of decades of research on the topic found that poor sleep quality is often associated with cognitive decline in middle-aged adults, so make sure to get your beauty rest.^[7] According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults need at least seven to nine hours of sleep per night.^[8] Sleeping is extremely important; not only does it boost your energy levels and mental clarity, but also ensures the proper functioning of all your body systems.

7. Age-Related Hormonal Changes

Your body undergoes hormonal changes at certain points in life. Women going through the menopause years, a natural decline in reproductive hormones when a woman reaches her late 40s or early 50s, might experience brain fog or related symptoms. The most common age-related brain fog symptoms include trouble focusing, fatigue, and difficulty falling asleep.^[9] Besides the hormonal changes associated with menopause, both men and women experience age-related mental changes that can manifest as brain fog.

How to Naturally Get Rid of Brain Fog

You can find relief from brain fog with healthy habits that support your body and brain.

Essential Oils

Inhaling even a molecule of an aromatic essential oil sends a message directly to your brain, which makes it an easy way to reduce brain fog symptoms. Frankincense, for example, helped improve memory and other cognitive functions in rats who have a disorder similar to Alzheimer's disease.^[10]

Lavender, peppermint, and chamomile essential oils can relax and calm the mind and body, helping you get restorative sleep. One study found that vetiver oil had properties that stimulated alert wakefulness, which "might be beneficial for learning and memory processes."^[11] To find relief, add several drops of lavender essential oil into your hands and rub them together, then cup your hands over your nose and take several deep breaths.

Sleep More

An estimated 35 percent of American adults get less than seven to nine hours of sleep per night, the recommended amount. This lack of sleep leaves people fatigued and less productive and focused.^[12] According to the CDC, "Getting enough sleep is not a luxury — it is something people need for good health."^[13]

Practice healthy sleep hygiene habits like maintaining a consistent and relaxing bedtime routine, limiting daytime naps to 30 minutes, and holding off on eating rich, fatty foods or consuming caffeine close to bedtime.^[14] For more ideas, check out our natural sleep remedies article.

Eat Healthy Fats

Choose "healthy fats" that come from nuts, seeds, and vegetables — olive oil, avocado oil, and walnut oil. These contain omega-3 fatty acids, which play a critical role in brain health. Dietary fats play a role in the blood-brain barrier (which selectively keeps chemicals from penetrating the brain) and in maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels.^[15]

Avoid saturated fats from red meat and high-fat dairy; one study found that people eating the highest amounts of these bad fats experienced the worst memory and cognition concerns over time.^[16] The exception to this rule is coconut oil, a saturated fat that — in contrast to animal-based options — actually lowers bad cholesterol in your blood.^[17]

Eat Antioxidant-Rich Fruits & Vegetables

Antioxidants positively impact memory and other cognitive functions.^[18] An antioxidant counteracts the harmful effects of free radicals, which otherwise will go around cells causing damage. By counteracting those, antioxidants are the superheroes of your body. They're readily available in dark green leafy vegetables, brightly colored fruits and berries, and herbs and spices like turmeric and cayenne pepper.

There's even good news for chocolate lovers — cocoa contains antioxidants called flavanols that improve circulation and may preserve cognitive abilities.^[19] Balance out your diet with healthy carbohydrates and proteins for optimal brain health.

Exercise

In addition to protecting you from weight gain, exercise stimulates your body to release hormones that improve brain health, particularly in the areas of mood and energy.

A beneficial exercise routine doesn't take long to establish. When people spent just four weeks on a fitness program that combined aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching, they experienced improved memory, attention, and mental processing speed.^[20] Move your body in healthy ways. Simply spending time outdoors boosts cognitive development in kids and helps adults as well.^[21]

Brain Fog Supplements

While it's always best to get your nutrition from your food, sometimes you need an extra boost of one nutrient or another. Several nutritional supplements support brain health, including these six.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

One study found that over a period of 18 months, omega-3 fatty acids slowed mental decline in healthy elderly adults, improving brain fog symptoms like working memory and information retrieval.^[22] Because these fats occur naturally in fish and other seafood, fish oil supplements are popular; however, fish oil supplements may have high levels of mercury and other contaminants, and the harvesting methods for these fish are often environmentally unsustainable. We recommend getting your omega-3 fatty acids from plant-based foods or supplements, such as flaxseed oil or algae oil.

Magnesium

Scientists have connected magnesium deficiency with a number of brain disorders. Magnesium plays a role in general brain health for everyone, including helping your neurons (nerve cells) "fire" — transmitting messages to the body and creating thoughts. Taking magnesium may protect cognitive function and memory, reducing brain fog.^[23]

Maca Root

The natural fatty acids found in maca root (Lepidium meyenii) can help preserve overall brain health. Mice fed a diet that including maca root experienced heightened memory and other cognitive abilities.^[24] Specifically, the study found that maca root boosted the activity of cellular mitochondria, the organelle inside each cell that provides energy. Past studies had also found maca encouraged a balanced mood and even increased vigor and energy levels.^[24]

Vitamin B12

Muddled thinking and forgetfulness may indicate you have low B12 levels, an essential vitamin. Some studies even show that vitamin B12 supplements can slow age-related brain decline, especially in people who are deficient. Since vitamin B12 occurs mainly in animal-based foods, those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or those who do not eat very much meat, may require a B12 supplement.^[25] I recommend Global Healing's Vitamin B12. This certified organic liquid contains methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, but also contains hydroxocobalamin for long-lasting, sustained support with 5,000 mcg of B12 per serving.

Bacopa

An herb used in many Ayurvedic remedies and one of the top herbs for mental health, studies have found Bacopa monnieri counteracts brain fog symptoms like short attention span, poor focus, and short-term memory.^[26] Also called water hyssop or brahmi (not to be confused with gotu kola which is also sometimes called brahmi), Bacopa appears to normalize cortisol in the body, which reduces stress, and may help your brain fog.^[27] Bacopa also reduces stress which makes it an adaptogen — a substance that helps the body adapt to stress.

Mucuna pruriens

Mucuna pruriens, also called velvet bean, contains a high concentration of antioxidants. These antioxidants work with L-dopa, a brain chemical, to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. Among other things, dopamine regulates processes associated with brain fog, including mental flexibility, memory, and motivation.^[28]

Iodine

Iodine plays a crucial role in your body's metabolism through its role in producing thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland depends on iodine to create these hormones, which give energy to many basic body processes. If your thyroid hormones are imbalanced, sometimes due to improper levels of iodine, then you may experience brain fog. Ensure you have adequate iodine for a sharp mind, greater energy, and balanced metabolism. Many types of iodine exist, but your body will absorb nascent iodine most efficiently.

Points to Remember

Brain fog is not a recognized medical condition, but it is a common issue for many people and includes symptoms like mental fatigue, poor memory, and lack of focus. A variety of issues may cause brain fog, but the top six causes are stress, poor diet, medications, health conditions, inadequate sleep, and age-related hormonal changes.

There are several natural strategies for reducing brain fog. Start by eating a healthy diet including many antioxidant-rich organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds and avoid fried, processed, and animal-based foods. Exercise more, get more sleep, and try essential oils like peppermint. Herbal supplements like bacopa and Mucuna pruriens or vitamins and minerals like iodine and B12 may also help you clear the fog, lending greater clarity to your thoughts.

References (28)

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†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.

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