Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It FeelsHow to Get Rid of ItIdentifying CausesNext Steps
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Feels
How to Get Rid of It
Identifying Causes
Next Steps
Brain fog, or mental fog, is often described as feeling mentally drained and unable to concentrate. Signs of brain fog include reduced cognitive functioning or difficulty with paying attention, keeping focus, multitasking, and memory recall.
People living withattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),chronic pain,long COVID, sleep disorders, eating disorders and nutritional deficiencies, and other complex conditions can experience brain fog. There are different ways to manage brain fog, depending on its cause.
This article discusses brain fog in more detail, including how it feels, how to treat it, its causes, and next steps for nonstop or ongoing brain fog.
Moyo Studio / Getty Images
Describing How Brain Fog Feels
Feeling mentally drained happens to everyone from time to time, especially when experiencing sleeping difficulties. But brain fog is not the same as fatigue orlethargy, although they often go hand in hand or co-occur with symptoms of other conditions. Brain fog can be hard to define since it is not a medical term or diagnosis.
Experts describe brain fog as mild memory loss or:
Is It Aging or Brain Fog?Brain fog feels like being slowed down unwillingly or being unable to clear your mind even though you really want to. Experts say some gradual decline in brain functioning is expected with age, so any mild memory loss symptoms must be considered in context with a person’s age.
Is It Aging or Brain Fog?
Brain fog feels like being slowed down unwillingly or being unable to clear your mind even though you really want to. Experts say some gradual decline in brain functioning is expected with age, so any mild memory loss symptoms must be considered in context with a person’s age.
What Gets Rid of Brain Fog?
Experts say the first approach to getting rid of brain fog includes looking at lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sleep, and exercise.
Vitamins and Brain FogGetting rid of brain fog in some cases may mean treating any underlying nutritional deficiencies that may be causing the symptoms. Common vitamins associated with brain fog and brain health include vitamin D, omega-3s, magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin B complex, and zinc. Research on vitamin therapies for brain fog is mixed and there is a lack of rigorous clinical trial research in this area.
Vitamins and Brain Fog
Getting rid of brain fog in some cases may mean treating any underlying nutritional deficiencies that may be causing the symptoms. Common vitamins associated with brain fog and brain health include vitamin D, omega-3s, magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin B complex, and zinc. Research on vitamin therapies for brain fog is mixed and there is a lack of rigorous clinical trial research in this area.
Other ways to support brain health and reduce feelings of brain fog include:
Caffeine and Brain FogCaffeine directly impacts dopamine levels and other neurotransmitters contributing to your overall brain functioning, sleep, appetite, and mood. This is why people living with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, for example, may find themselves consuming a large amounts of caffeine as they try to cope with dopamine and other neurotransmitter differences.Unfortunately, there is a rebound effect with caffeine consumption, meaning that too much caffeine and caffeine withdrawal both cause brain fog and are associated with sleep problems and feelings of depression.
Caffeine and Brain Fog
Caffeine directly impacts dopamine levels and other neurotransmitters contributing to your overall brain functioning, sleep, appetite, and mood. This is why people living with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, for example, may find themselves consuming a large amounts of caffeine as they try to cope with dopamine and other neurotransmitter differences.Unfortunately, there is a rebound effect with caffeine consumption, meaning that too much caffeine and caffeine withdrawal both cause brain fog and are associated with sleep problems and feelings of depression.
Caffeine directly impacts dopamine levels and other neurotransmitters contributing to your overall brain functioning, sleep, appetite, and mood. This is why people living with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, for example, may find themselves consuming a large amounts of caffeine as they try to cope with dopamine and other neurotransmitter differences.
Unfortunately, there is a rebound effect with caffeine consumption, meaning that too much caffeine and caffeine withdrawal both cause brain fog and are associated with sleep problems and feelings of depression.
Can Supplements Really Boost Brain Health?
How to Identify What’s Causing Your Brain Fog
Knowing why you’re experiencing brain fog is an important first step in understanding what may help relieve symptoms. If you’re unsure what could be causing your brain fog, consult with a healthcare provider for advice.
The causes of brain fog can be complex and include any of the following and more:
Drugs and Brain FogSome over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) are associated with increased confusion.
Drugs and Brain Fog
Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) are associated with increased confusion.
How to Focus With ADHD
Nonstop, Ongoing Brain Fog: Next Steps
If you’re experiencing brain fog due to chronic illness, infection, or long COVID, you may have already tried to get rid of brain fog at home. Experts suggest the following when brain fog persists:
Additional tips include listening to music,practicing mindfulness exercises, and focusing on the positive as much as possible.
Alcohol Brain FogBear in mind,alcohol withdrawalin the short term can cause brain fog, but it will improve with continued abstinence.
Alcohol Brain Fog
Bear in mind,alcohol withdrawalin the short term can cause brain fog, but it will improve with continued abstinence.
The Mediterranean Diet Is Hailed as the Gold Standard. But Should It Be?
Summary
Brain fog is that fuzzy, forgetful feeling that can happen for various reasons. Knowing the cause of your symptoms can help determine if you need specific treatment or lifestyle and medication adjustments to help with brain fog. However, there are many ways to manage brain fog, including getting adequate sleep, nutrition, and social time; managing stress; and addressing any underlying contributing factors like ADHD or depression.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The University of Texas at Dallas.Here’s why you’re dealing with brain fog—and what you can do to fight it.Sjogren’s Foundation.Patient education sheet: Brain fog.Arthritis Foundation.Fibro fog.Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A.Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: A narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):228. doi:10.3390/nu12010228Zajac IT, Barnes M, Cavuoto P, Wittert G, Noakes M.The effects of vitamin D-enriched mushrooms and vitamin D3 on cognitive performance and mood in healthy elderly adults: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3847. doi:10.3390/nu12123847Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much?Ebner S.Hypothyroid patients described what brain fog feels like.Clin Thyroidol Public.2022 May;15:3-4.Cedars-Sinai.How COVID-19 compromises brain function.UCSD.Puzzling symptoms: Eating disorders and the brain.Harvard Health.Stuck in a brain fog? Look in your medicine cabinet.Jaff NG, Maki PM.Scientific insights into brain fog during the menopausal transition.Climacteric. 2021;24(4):317-318. doi:10.1080/13697137.2021.1942700Harvard Health.Common anticholinergic drugs like Benadryl linked to increased dementia risk.Harvard Health.What is COVID-19 brain fog—and how can you clear it?National Institute on Aging.MIND and Mediterranean diets linked to fewer signs of Alzheimer’s brain pathology.Ettleson MD, Raine A, Batistuzzo A, et al.Brain fog in hypothyroidism: Understanding the patient’s perspective.Endocr Pract.2022 Mar;28(3):257–264. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2021.12.003Wellness Retreat Recovery Center.Alcohol brain fog: How to start healing your brain.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The University of Texas at Dallas.Here’s why you’re dealing with brain fog—and what you can do to fight it.Sjogren’s Foundation.Patient education sheet: Brain fog.Arthritis Foundation.Fibro fog.Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A.Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: A narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):228. doi:10.3390/nu12010228Zajac IT, Barnes M, Cavuoto P, Wittert G, Noakes M.The effects of vitamin D-enriched mushrooms and vitamin D3 on cognitive performance and mood in healthy elderly adults: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3847. doi:10.3390/nu12123847Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much?Ebner S.Hypothyroid patients described what brain fog feels like.Clin Thyroidol Public.2022 May;15:3-4.Cedars-Sinai.How COVID-19 compromises brain function.UCSD.Puzzling symptoms: Eating disorders and the brain.Harvard Health.Stuck in a brain fog? Look in your medicine cabinet.Jaff NG, Maki PM.Scientific insights into brain fog during the menopausal transition.Climacteric. 2021;24(4):317-318. doi:10.1080/13697137.2021.1942700Harvard Health.Common anticholinergic drugs like Benadryl linked to increased dementia risk.Harvard Health.What is COVID-19 brain fog—and how can you clear it?National Institute on Aging.MIND and Mediterranean diets linked to fewer signs of Alzheimer’s brain pathology.Ettleson MD, Raine A, Batistuzzo A, et al.Brain fog in hypothyroidism: Understanding the patient’s perspective.Endocr Pract.2022 Mar;28(3):257–264. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2021.12.003Wellness Retreat Recovery Center.Alcohol brain fog: How to start healing your brain.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The University of Texas at Dallas.Here’s why you’re dealing with brain fog—and what you can do to fight it.Sjogren’s Foundation.Patient education sheet: Brain fog.Arthritis Foundation.Fibro fog.Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A.Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: A narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):228. doi:10.3390/nu12010228Zajac IT, Barnes M, Cavuoto P, Wittert G, Noakes M.The effects of vitamin D-enriched mushrooms and vitamin D3 on cognitive performance and mood in healthy elderly adults: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3847. doi:10.3390/nu12123847Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much?Ebner S.Hypothyroid patients described what brain fog feels like.Clin Thyroidol Public.2022 May;15:3-4.Cedars-Sinai.How COVID-19 compromises brain function.UCSD.Puzzling symptoms: Eating disorders and the brain.Harvard Health.Stuck in a brain fog? Look in your medicine cabinet.Jaff NG, Maki PM.Scientific insights into brain fog during the menopausal transition.Climacteric. 2021;24(4):317-318. doi:10.1080/13697137.2021.1942700Harvard Health.Common anticholinergic drugs like Benadryl linked to increased dementia risk.Harvard Health.What is COVID-19 brain fog—and how can you clear it?National Institute on Aging.MIND and Mediterranean diets linked to fewer signs of Alzheimer’s brain pathology.Ettleson MD, Raine A, Batistuzzo A, et al.Brain fog in hypothyroidism: Understanding the patient’s perspective.Endocr Pract.2022 Mar;28(3):257–264. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2021.12.003Wellness Retreat Recovery Center.Alcohol brain fog: How to start healing your brain.
The University of Texas at Dallas.Here’s why you’re dealing with brain fog—and what you can do to fight it.
Sjogren’s Foundation.Patient education sheet: Brain fog.
Arthritis Foundation.Fibro fog.
Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A.Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: A narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):228. doi:10.3390/nu12010228
Zajac IT, Barnes M, Cavuoto P, Wittert G, Noakes M.The effects of vitamin D-enriched mushrooms and vitamin D3 on cognitive performance and mood in healthy elderly adults: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3847. doi:10.3390/nu12123847
Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much?
Ebner S.Hypothyroid patients described what brain fog feels like.Clin Thyroidol Public.2022 May;15:3-4.
Cedars-Sinai.How COVID-19 compromises brain function.
UCSD.Puzzling symptoms: Eating disorders and the brain.
Harvard Health.Stuck in a brain fog? Look in your medicine cabinet.
Jaff NG, Maki PM.Scientific insights into brain fog during the menopausal transition.Climacteric. 2021;24(4):317-318. doi:10.1080/13697137.2021.1942700
Harvard Health.Common anticholinergic drugs like Benadryl linked to increased dementia risk.
Harvard Health.What is COVID-19 brain fog—and how can you clear it?
National Institute on Aging.MIND and Mediterranean diets linked to fewer signs of Alzheimer’s brain pathology.
Ettleson MD, Raine A, Batistuzzo A, et al.Brain fog in hypothyroidism: Understanding the patient’s perspective.Endocr Pract.2022 Mar;28(3):257–264. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2021.12.003
Wellness Retreat Recovery Center.Alcohol brain fog: How to start healing your brain.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
