Mental fog natural herbs and other healthy lifestyle tips right now: What are the symptoms of brain fog? Many people have heard about burnout syndrome, which is caused by chronic accumulated stress at work. This can eventually take over a person’s life, severely affecting their mental state. It often results in the sufferer resigning from his or her job or career. Another term, however, known as brain fog, is less familiar to many of us. It occurs when the brain is overworked or under strain due to factors such as: Insufficient rest resulting in fatigue; Lack of good dietary nutrition; Accumulation of toxic heavy metals in the body or consumption of foods containing pesticide poisons; Build-up of stress; Presence of free radicals in the body; Latent inflammation; Lack of exercise; Various hormonal imbalances; Dehydration or insufficient intake of water; Psychological disorders or other chronic health conditions. Read a lot more details on How to clear brain fog?.

Some scientists also speculate that dysfunction of the gut microbiome might lead to brain fog in some cases, as one small study published in October 2024 found evidence of brain fog in more than half of participants with gastrointestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel syndrome. Scientists hypothesize that changes to the gut microbiome might play a role in long COVID-related brain fog too, and some research suggests that a microbial imbalance in the gut might contribute to neuroinflammation. But in many other conditions, scientists haven’t found out much about the biology of brain fog. That’s because there have been very few high-quality studies on brain fog in general, Denno says. And the higher quality studies that have specifically looked into brain fog are often inconsistent in their results and methodology. The link between brain fog and chronic pain, for example, remains murky for this reason, researchers argue.

The Definition of Insulin Resistance – Insulin is an important hormone produced by the pancreas, which is secreted during certain points of the day, as well as immediately after eating. The main task of this hormone is to deliver glucose from the blood to the cells to maintain blood sugar at acceptable levels. However, certain people suffer from conditions where blood glucose isn’t recognized by the cells, which makes blood sugar levels rise and causes the cells to not receive all the nutrients they need to function properly. Basically, insulin resistance means that the body isn’t able to respond to insulin the way it should, which means blood glucose levels are not regulated properly. Cells become less sensitive to the natural insulin, thus a person experiences blood sugar spikes. This condition may develop due to various factors, starting with genetic predisposition and ending with an unhealthy lifestyle.

Sage is an herb for memory that has a number of brain benefits. A spice known for its pungent scent, sage might also improve cognition and aid in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a research review published in 2017, suggests sage contains compounds that may be beneficial for cognitive and neurological function. Turmeric is a spice long used in Ayurveda, a holistic, whole-body approach to medicine that originated in India thousands of years ago. This herb contains a compound called curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (two factors that may benefit brain health and overall health).

In alternative medicine systems such as Ayurveda and TCM, Gotu kola has long been used to improve mental clarity. Findings from animal-based research suggest that this herb may also help the brain by fighting oxidative stress. A 2021 review published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology suggested that gotu kola may inhibit Alzheimer’s-associated oxidative stress and improve cognitive function. An herb often taken in tea form and frequently used to ease anxiety and insomnia, lemon balm may help improve cognitive function. Some research suggests that this may be a great herb for memory loss.

Stress – Most people don’t realize how much damage stress can do, and while eliminating stress would be a dream, it’s not realistic—and some level of stress is beneficial for the body. But when stress becomes chronic and isn’t managed, it can spell trouble for cognitive function. High stress levels lead to chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system and elevated stress hormones, affecting sleep, energy levels, cognitive function, and neurodegenerative disease risk. But why does this happen? Elevated stress hormones—cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine—ultimately divert energy and resources away from non-essential physiological functions to help your body fight. This is why the sympathetic nervous system is also called the “fight-or-flight” system. When resources aren’t going to your brain, your cognitive state suffers. Discover additional details on Fog on the brain: Clearing the Haze.