Brain Fog Supplements: Top 9 Picks

Brain fog is not a medical condition, but rather a symptom of other medical conditions. Brain fog can include a lack of mental clarity, inability to remember, trouble focusing, and poor concentration. Brain fog affects many different people for a wide variety of reasons.

In this article, we will explore the causes and symptoms of brain fog, as well as supplements and other natural treatments that may help minimize the frustrating effects of brain fog on your well-being and brain cells. 

What is Brain Fog?

Brain fog can be a symptom of many different disorders and mental health conditions

Some of the conditions linked to brain fog are very severe. Others are rather mild. Brain fog is typically described as a lack of mental clarity, confusion, and inability to remember, and general cognitive dysfunctions. 

Brain fog is a frustrating condition for those who are trying to work, go to school, or interact with others. Brain fog makes it difficult to complete even basic tasks.

The causes of brain fog are not always well understood, but it can be linked to some conditions.

Speak with your medical provider or primary care physician if you experience brain fog, as it may be a sign of a more serious condition.

Causes

Many different causes of brain fog range from easily treatable conditions to chronic diseases, and even hormone production.

• Brain fog may also be a side effect of treatments such as chemotherapy.
• Some of the causes of brain fog include lack of sleep, chronic stress, medication, medical conditions (such as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, diabetes, and migraines).
• Some causes of brain fog are less severe and temporary, such as lack of sleep.

If you experience brain fog, it is a good idea to speak with your medical provider to determine the cause.

Lack of Sleep and Stress

Stress and lack of sleep can cause temporary mild cognitive impairment.

Both stress and lack of sleep can cause mental fatigue which reduces your brain’s ability to process and recall thoughts and stimuli.

In general, mental fatigue has an impact on healthy brain function and can influence the severity of brain fog. 

Solutions to these two causes of brain fog are fairly simple: try to get 8-9 hours of sleep per night and also try some stress-relieving and relaxation techniques such as meditation and regular exercise.

Creating a healthy routine before bed can help avoid poor sleep quality, sleep deprivation, and sleep disturbance. 

Medications

Some medications may cause brain fog and cognitive symptoms in certain patients.

• If you experience brain fog while taking a medication or supplement, speak with your medical provider to find a solution.
• The most notable medications that cause brain fog are those used in chemotherapy for cancer patients.
• “Chemo Brain” is a symptom of chemotherapy in some cancer patients.
• This is a form of brain fog that may occur during or after cancer treatments.
• The risk factors of “chemo brain” are not very well known, but it is believed that there may be an inherited risk; it is also thought that age may play a role.

Diet

A person’s diet may cause them to develop brain fog and cause other long-term effects on memory function.

• Eating too much of certain foods and food additives may cause an increased risk of brain fog.
• Another cause of brain fog may be a vitamin B-12 deficiency.
• Vitamin B-12 is an essential nutrient in the synthesis and production of red blood cells, nerve cells, and even DNA.

It is very important that you consume enough vitamin B-12 per day as a deficiency can cause many different symptoms:

• Difficulty Walking
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Anemia
• Brain Fog

Speak with your medical provider if you feel your diet may be responsible for your brain fog. Before taking any medication or supplement, please consult your doctor to ensure the safety and efficacy of the treatment.

A healthy diet combined with aerobic exercise can significantly improve mental function and mood overall. 

Dehydration

Water is highly important for keeping all bodily functions regulated as it is one of the most essential components of life.

• The average person is approximately 50-75% water and the average brain is almost 70% water.
• The high volumes of water in the body regulate everything from chemical processes to temperature regulation.
• When a person is even mildly dehydrated their thoughts will become slower and cloudier.
• This becomes more severe as the dehydration progresses.

To avoid dehydration make sure to drink enough water to suit your needs.

This varies from person to person, but a general guideline is to drink enough water to keep your urine at a light yellow color.

Hormonal Changes

The hormonal causes during pregnancy can cause symptoms similar to brain fog, except it is dubbed “pregnancy brain.”

Some studies suggest that pregnant women do not function as well at cognitive tasks as non-pregnant women.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that reduces the body’s ability to process food that is consumed. People with diabetes do not effectively process glucose(sugar) within their blood.

• This can cause a number of symptoms and increase risks for other conditions.
• More than 100 million Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
• Studies suggest that if diabetes is left untreated there are many conditions that may develop.
• Diabetes may have certain effects on cognitive functions such as memory and clarity of thoughts.
• Diabetes can be managed and treated with certain medicines as well as diet changes, and exercise.

Arthritis

Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes joint pain, inflammation, stiffness, and swelling.

• Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks other cells within the body.
• This causes inflammation as the cells become damaged and irritated.
• The inflammation caused by arthritis can affect more than just the joints. It is also known to cause mild cognitive impairments such as memory loss, and inability to focus.
• The onset of these brain fog symptoms is typically frustrating and concerning as arthritis is typically only associated with joint pain and damage. 

Migraines

Migraines are more than just simple headaches.

• They can be caused by a variety of stimuli or “triggers” that vary from person to person.
• Brain fog symptoms can occur during any of the three migraine phases (aura, attack, postdrome).
• The aura phase of migraines can cause visual symptoms as well as slurring of words and confusion.
• The attack phase of migraine occurs when the pain begins to occur until the pain subsides.
• This part of the migraine can cause tiredness and irritability.

The phase that typically causes the most brain fog in migraine sufferers is known as the postdrome stage.

This is after the attack subsided, leaving the sufferer fatigued and reducing mental clarity and concentration.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis(MS) is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune cells attack the protective covering of nerve cells.

• This disease causes a decline in mental connections which can be potentially disabling and cause difficulty with vision, coordination, and even cognitive function.
• MS-related brain fog is known as “cog fog” to those that suffer from it.
• The symptoms of cog fog include slurred speech, inability to focus, irritability, and memory loss.
• There are currently no cures for MS; however, there are treatments and medications that may reduce the severity of and relieve the symptoms of attacks.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes intense musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and a form of brain fog called “fibro fog.”

• Fibromyalgia typically occurs after some sort of physical trauma, surgery, infection, or intense psychological trauma.
• Fibromyalgia causes nerves to overreact to little or no stimuli causing pain throughout the body.
• This condition can come with many other painful disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and bladder and joint disorders.

Depression

Depression is a mental health condition that causes people to become isolated, lose interest in daily activities, and stay in depressed moods.

Depression can also cause brain fog symptoms, this can reduce mental clarity, reaction time, and executive functioning skills.

Additional Conditions

There are many other conditions that can cause brain fog.

• Some of these are autoimmune diseases that occur when immune cells do not function properly and attack tissues within the body.
• Some of these are hormonal or even cognitive diseases.
• Hypothyroidism (this occurs when the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones; it can cause dizziness, weight gain, and lethargy, as well as brain fog).
• Sjögren’s Syndrome (this condition often occurs with other autoimmune conditions. Sjögren’s Syndrome reduces the moisture production of the salivary and lacrimal glands: this causes dry mouth and eyes).
• Anemia (anemia is the lack of adequate amounts of red blood cells in the body. This can be caused by a number of vitamin deficiencies. Reduced red blood cell counts can cause dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog).
• Chronic fatigue syndrome

Conventional Treatments 

Typical treatments for cloudy thinking and trouble with memory vary by the specific causes of brain fog.

• The symptoms of brain fog are usually reduced by treating the underlying condition.
• Treatments that are similar for some conditions include changes to diet and exercise habits.
• Another treatment for brain fog includes getting more sleep and learning how to control your stress and anxiety.

Brain fog may be a sign of a serious condition, so it is always a good idea to consult your medical provider if you experience brain fog or any cognitive disorders. 

Supplements for Brain Fog

Supplements are naturally derived vitamins, minerals, or compounds that may improve symptoms of certain conditions. Sometimes supplements may be used in addition to, or as an alternative to medication. Always consult your doctor before beginning supplements or stopping medications, as it may cause harmful reactions.

Supplements can help treat the symptoms of brain fog by targeting the different elements that cause them. There are many different types of these supplements that are thought to have an impact on improving brain health.

There are many types of supplements that may boost cognitive performance and reduce brain fog:

• Resveratrol
• B-Vitamins
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Caffeine
• Creatine
• Choline
• Bacopa Monnieri
• Ginkgo Biloba

How To Take Supplements

Supplements can be great natural ways to alleviate certain conditions without so many potential side effects.

You must speak with your medical professional before beginning or stopping any supplement or medication.

Listen to your doctor’s advice as they can create plans to perfectly match your needs.

If you decide to take a supplement of any kind, it is a very good idea to read the label. Supplement labels can give you a lot of information on ingredients, origins, and certifications that the supplement has earned.

If you are shopping online, it is a good idea to read the reviews to assess the quality of the product further.

Read labels carefully to ensure there aren’t unnecessary dyes, fillers, flavorings, or other additives. Look closely to ensure they conform to your dietary restrictions, also read for certifications and points of manufacture. Certifications are the most important aspect to look for when researching supplements. These certifications are especially notable:

• FDA, this ensures your supplement is inspected by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure quality and purity
• GMP certifies that the production facility follows Good Management Practices and follows safety and purity standards.
• Non-GMO certifications prove the product is made without genetically modified organisms.
• Organic, particularly USDA Organic certifications prove that the product is made from farmed sustainable organisms without harmful pesticides or hormones.
• Testing, be it in a lab or by a Third Party, is an important certification for the safety of the product.

Top 9 Best Supplements for Brain Fog

Many different types of supplements can assist with cognitive decline and even promote emotional well-being. Here are the 10 best supplements for reducing brain fog from our research: