![]() ![]() Could Magnesium Be the Secret to Better Sleep?īut there’s another reason sleep is so critical to a sharp noggin: When you’re in deep sleep, important brain cleansing is going on.An Exclusive Look at Our Ultimate Bedding Guide.It's helpful to prevent anxiety, and it’s important for consolidating different types of memory.” Lack of sleep can bring on poor concentration, according to NIH research. “Better than a spa, sleep helps the brain reset its functions. “Sleep is the ultimate restorative,” says Gayatri Devi, MD, clinical professor of neurology, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and director of Park Avenue Neurology. It seems completely expected that sleep would be a big factor in brain fog: Not enough snoozing leads to fatigue, which leads to a super-tired brain. Chapman explains, “Stress increases cortisol – a toxic stress hormone in the brain that degrades memory, concentration and new learning.” Lack of sleep Since the hippocampus takes in new info, brain fog can be the result. ![]() But when stress is chronic, those chemicals and hormones stick around longer than they should, and eventually a particular part of the brain (the hippocampus) gets overwhelmed. You’ve heard of the fight-or-flight reaction? That’s when your brains flashes “Danger! Danger!” and in response, it releases neurochemicals and hormones to help us stay safe. It’s also common during perimenopause and menopause (more on that below), as well as these three very common factors: StressĪs mentioned, a frazzled mind can mess with your cognitive function - though in some circumstances, stress is a positive thing, according to the American Institute of Stress. And brain fog is more common than many realize because it has so many causes.” What causes brain fog?Ī fuzzy brain can be caused by some medical issues, including COVID, concussion, chemotherapy and medication side effects. “It’s one of the most common indicators that the brain’s engines - its complex neural systems - aren’t working at normal capacity and efficiency. “Brain fog needs to be taken seriously,” says Dr. Your capacity for clarity, concentration, memory, speed and innovative thinking are all reduced.”īut even though it’s not a defined medical condition, that doesn’t mean it’s not important. ![]() “A person experiencing brain fog can still think and work – but the input is fuzzier and takes longer to process, and the output is not up to par. “Think of a foggy day when you can still see, but it’s like there’s a film over the horizon,” says Sandra Chapman, Ph.D., founder and director of the Center for Brain Health, and professor of behavioral and brain sciences at the University of Texas/Dallas. It’s the opposite of feeling sharp and in tune. It’s that feeling when you have a hard time focusing or remembering stuff (like that … whatever it was … you were going to bring to work). Brain fog is the name we use to describe a mushy, sluggish, fuzzy mind. What is brain fog?įirst, here’s what it’s not: a defined medical condition. ![]() We talked to some top-notch brain experts to get the low-down on brain fog, and strategies that may give you some relief. Brain fog, or difficulty thinking or concentrating, can be caused by many things, and can also be a symptom of long COVID. But stress is only one of the things that can lead to that fuzzy-mind feeling. This scenario - and c’mon, we’ve all been there - isn’t surprising, because one big cause of brain fog is stress, and there’s sure enough of that to go around these days, even just during those times when you’re running late. And now, it’s lost now in the mist of brain fog. A moment ago, whatever it was seemed important enough to stop you in your tracks. You’re late for work, and as you head out the door, you run back inside because you forgot your…… what? What the heck did you forget? You’ve got your phone, your keys, your laptop. ![]()
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