Mental fog natural herbs and other healthy lifestyle tips and tricks 2025: More and more research is being undertaken to better understand brain fog, a term that’s almost as vague as brain fog itself. Definition of Brain Fog – Brain fog isn’t something doctors diagnose their patients with. Brain fog is a broad term used to describe some common cognitive symptoms that folks face. These can be varied but generally center on the idea that your thinking or memory isn’t as efficient or effective as it used to be, she says. One of the challenges with understanding brain fog is that there are so many potential causes, and the term “brain fog” alone doesn’t tell doctors what exactly is going on. That said, here are a few common causes to consider. Find many more details at Fog on the brain: Clearing the Haze.
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.
Insulin resistance – an unfortunate condition that is characterized by the body’s reduced ability to utilize insulin. It develops gradually and can become quite a serious issue if not diagnosed and treated on time. Not only does it worsen one’s general health situation, but it also negatively impacts certain health conditions, such as elevated lipid levels, diabetes, and various heart problems. There are a few ways to measure your insulin resistance, and there are some that don’t require visiting a doctor’s office every time and going to the clinic for a blood test. We will discuss these in more detail to ensure you understand all the options offered for your safety and comfort.
Although research on ginkgo biloba has yielded mixed results, there’s some evidence that this herb may enhance cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment. Furthermore, a research review published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2015 suggests that a ginkgo biloba extract called EGb761 may be especially helpful in slowing the decline in cognition among patients experiencing neuropsychiatric symptoms in addition to cognitive impairment and dementia. A core feature of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, neuropsychiatric symptoms include depression and other non-cognitive disturbances.
Lemon balm contains rosmarinic acid (RA), a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may have neuroprotective effects. One 2023 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that the administration of 500 mg of Melissa officinalis extract (aka lemon balm extract) may help prevent cognitive decline in older adults who do not have hypertension. Other research has found that 500 mg per day of lemon balm is safe and well-tolerated and may help prevent the worsening of neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
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. Find additional info at Fog on the brain: Clearing the Haze.