12 Best Supplements for Brain Fog

We all experience brain fog from time to time. It can make you feel like you're losing your ability to follow conversations and engage with the world around you—which can be very frustrating.

However, there's no need to suffer in silence. Plenty of supplements and resources can help you deal with your brain fog.

Keep reading as we discuss brain fog, how it impacts your health, and the different tips and supplements available to support brain health.

What is Brain Fog?

Brain fog isn't a medical term but it is used to describe a feeling. The feeling of brain fog leaves you with difficulty concentrating, feelings of fatigue, and reduced brain function. A medical condition could be causing your brain fog, or you could be burnt out and need rest.

Brain fog can manifest in many ways, and understanding it can help you to recognize it and take steps to improve your brain health.

How Does Brain Fog Make You Feel?

Let's discuss some key identifiers for brain fog and how those suffering from brain fog might feel.

Lack of Clear Thinking

If you have brain fog, you might be struggling to think clearly and you may be losing track of your thoughts. For example, you might need help to plan your day and remember everything you need to do.

Difficulting Learning, Concentrating, or Focusing

Brain fog can manifest as difficulty concentrating. Your focus is an important part of your ability to get daily tasks done, and without it, your productivity levels may suffer. Difficulties with focus can lead to guilt and procrastination, creating a destructive cycle for your mental health. This is why it is important to recognize brain fog early.

Difficulty Memorizing

You will have little luck if you're trying to study for a big test or memorize a speech with brain fog. Brain fog can make memory tests and memorizing more difficult.

Working Memory Loss and Lowered Recall Ability

Since you can't focus very well with brain fog, you might experience working memory loss and lowered recall ability. You might forget things on your shopping list more regularly or forget to do something a friend or family member has asked of you.

Distracting or Muddled Thoughts

Muddled thinking can come on strong when you have brain fog. You might ruminate about a person, event, or something you're nervous about. Muddled thinking can lead to anxiety and overthinking if you don't take steps to recover and practice mindfulness.

Slower Thinking Than Usual

Your problem-solving and fast-thinking abilities may be impaired if you have brain fog. You might struggle to respond quickly in conversation, or you might find you struggle to handle daily activities at your usual pace.

Forgetfulness

Brain fog can cause you to forget about that pizza in the oven or the cup of tea you just made for yourself. Your memory might slip quite often, leaving tasks unfinished and causing problems in your day-to-day activities.

Inability to Clearly Express Thoughts

Have you ever started a sentence to find that you've lost your point? Or, have you ever tried to communicate something but can't find the right words? That could be brain fog.

Inability to Multitask

We multitask every day of our lives, listening to podcasts while doing the dishes or having a conversation while writing an email. If you struggle to multitask, this could be caused by brain fog's effects on your cognitive function.

Diminished Creativity and Decision-making Skills

You're less likely to be creative and make decisions quickly when you've got brain fog. Simply deciding what to cook for dinner, or coming up with an idea of what to do this weekend, may feel more difficult.

Slower Reaction to Questions and Conversations

You might have difficulty responding and reacting to a conversation if you have brain fog. You may be unable to summon an answer easily, which can be distressing for some, particularly in high-stakes situations.

Difficulty Paying Attention to Details or Missing Conversations

Many people suffering from brain fog will struggle to engage in conversations, missing important points and failing to empathize with those around them. This can place great strain on close relationships.

A General Sense of Being in a Fog and Incapable of Thinking

Feeling dazed, confused, and directionless is all part of brain fog. Taking the right steps to resolve the issue will make you feel more aware and focused in no time.

Causes of Brain Fog

To resolve your brain fog, you must first find the underlying cause. Treating the underlying cause and improving your health will benefit every facet of your life—your relationships, career, goals, and mood.

Changes in the Structure of the Brain

As we age, there can be a shift in our brain structure. It could be that a change in your brain structure is causing your brain fog as you age into the next phase of your life. New experiences, medications, and medical conditions can also trigger brain structure changes.

Poor Diet and Vitamin Deficiencies

Being deficient in calories, vitamins, and minerals can affect your brain function. You might wish to consider improving your diet and investing in a brain fog vitamin to improve your cognitive function.

Hormonal Changes 

If you are going through any hormonal changes, this could be causing brain fog. Here are some possible indicators of hormone changes:

• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Puberty
• Cancer treatments
• Eating disorders
• Stress
• Injury or trauma

If you have recently undergone any of the above conditions, you should speak to your doctor to evaluate your hormones and take steps to balance them.

Stress and Lack of Sleep

Stress-related symptoms can often be linked to brain fog and decreased cognitive function. If you have been struggling with insomnia, this can tremendously impact your brain health and other facets of your health—causing low mood and irritability. Reviewing your sleep health and stress levels when considering the best options for treating brain fog is important.

Cognitive Decline Associated With Aging and Other Conditions

If you're experiencing brain fog, this could be due to an underlying medical condition, like dementia or Alzheimer's. Both can affect your ability to focus, memory, and mental clarity.

Chronic Health Conditions

There are several chronic health conditions that can cause brain fog. To help you review your health status and get the medical help you need, here are some of the chronic health conditions that cause brain fog:

• Anemia
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Hyperthyroidism
• Autoimmune diseases
• Diabetes
• Migraines

If you are showing the symptoms of brain fog and any symptoms of these disorders, it's best to consult a medical professional as soon as possible.

Medications and Interactions

If you have started a new medication or supplement, it could be that these pharmaceuticals are causing your brain fog. Sometimes, supplements can interact with your medications and lead to side effects. It's essential to review the symptoms you're experiencing with your health practitioner when taking new medications.

Alcohol Hangover

A hangover can cause cognitive function to decline. You might also experience anxiety, shaking, a low mood, and migraines. If you drink regularly, it can be hard to distinguish between the symptoms of brain fog and the symptoms of a hangover.

12 Best Supplements for Brain Fog

Let's explore some of the 12 best supplements for brain fog to help you regain control, mental clarity, and focus.

Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

Lion's mane mushrooms are considered the holy grail for those who suffer from poor memory, poor focus, and brain fog. You can think of the lion's mane mushroom as a fuel for your brain health as it offers antioxidant support and compounds that can support the body's natural inflammatory response post workout. 

Focus Lion’s Mane supplements from Mushroom Revival are the best option to sharpen your memory and get your mind’s creative juices flowing. 

Chaga

Chaga offers potent antioxidant support, which supports brain health. They offer healthy aging support—helping you maintain a healthy glow. You can find Chaga in this Daily Mix 10 mushroom blend. 

Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi mushrooms from Mushroom Revival might be your new favorite supplement! 

Reishi mushrooms can commonly be consumed at night as it helps support relaxation and your body’s natural sleep transition. Additionally, reishi mushrooms can assist your body’s natural response to the occasional stresses of daily life.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is extremely crucial for brain health. You can incorporate vitamin A into your diet with liver, fish, egg, dairy, or leafy greens. Combining vitamin A into your diet can support the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory function. You can also support the hypothalamus, which is responsible for supporting the body's physiological balance.

Vitamin D

Adding vitamin D into your diet can help to support mood, memory, and focus. A vitamin D deficiency could lead to memory problems, low mood, and conditions like SAD (seasonal affective disorder). You can support your health by taking vitamin D supplements, eating oily fish, or spending more time out in the sunlight.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays a vital role in supporting the immune system. If your immune system isn't supported, you will be more susceptible to infections and viruses, which could lead to feelings of ill health and brain fog. You can add vitamin C supplements to your diet or incorporate more citrus foods into your diet.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an essential brain fog vitamin as it supports the health of your eyes, synapses, and hippocampus. You can alleviate brain fog by adding vitamin E supplements or incorporating more vegetable oils, such as corn or soybean oil, into your diet.

Ginseng

Ginseng is widely used in holistic and therapeutic practices because of the feeling of calm its flavor stimulates. Ginseng, however, also works wonders in supporting your cognitive ability and mental performance. You can include ginseng in your diet by enjoying an aromatic cup of ginseng tea each day.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

A deficiency in omega-3 can lead to many issues, including poor skin health, mood swings, depressive symptoms, insomnia, and brain fog. By incorporating more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, you'll find your mood is boosted, and your brain fog symptoms may clear. Enjoying fatty fish like salmon or incorporating chia seeds into your morning oatmeal will help you get your daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is also known as the winter cherry and is a renowned supplement for your health. It can support the body's natural cognitive functions and provide more mental focus and clarity. If you're looking for natural supplements, ashwagandha is an excellent choice.

Magnesium

Many people are deficient in magnesium, which can lead to difficulty concentrating. Incorporating magnesium supplements into your diet is essential to reduce brain fog symptoms.

B Complex

B complex vitamins can do wonders for eliminating your brain fog and muddled thoughts. Typically, we only gain vitamins like B12 from ingesting red meat, so we must take steps to source this vitamin using supplements for a complete diet.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Brain Fog

If you don't think supplements for brain fog are the answer, you can make many lifestyle changes to reduce brain fog and improve your general well-being. Here are our top tips for reducing brain fog.

Add More Greens to Your Diet

Green vegetables are extremely beneficial for your health and are packed with vitamins and minerals. More importantly, they are packed with iron. If you believe you may be anemic, which can cause brain fog, adding more greens to your diet will make a significant difference to how you feel.

Include Foods With Omega-3 in Your Diet

Omega-3 is a recommended supplement for improving cognitive functions, memory, and recall. If you want to reduce brain fog, add more chia seeds and fatty fish to your diet.

Do Exercise

Exercise is a great way to improve your focus and general well-being. If you're experiencing brain fog, getting outside and refreshing your mindset is a great way to start your recovery. Exercise is proven to help fight mental decline and fatigue, aiding blood flow and circulation to ensure your brain gets the fuel it needs to function.

Brain fog and lethargy (chronic boredom) can sometimes set in when we become too comfortable in our environments. Sometimes, we must place our bodies under stress—for example, with exercise or a cold shower—to enjoy comfort more efficiently and reduce restlessness.

Hydrate

When was the last time you drank a full glass of water? If you're not hydrating yourself properly, this will cause your mental health to deteriorate. You will experience both physical and mental fatigue, which could lead to depressive symptoms. Drinking an ice-cold glass of water, or enjoying some hot water with lemon, will help to wash away that cloud fogging up your brain.

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene and Rest Well

What is good sleep hygiene? Firstly, you should aim to sleep and wake up simultaneously each day. Secondly, you should keep your devices away from you before bedtime. The blue light from your phone can be highly detrimental to your sleep quality and lead to insomnia. If you struggle with insomnia, you should speak to your doctor about medications that can help you get a good night's rest and restore your sleep schedule.

Manage Stress Levels: Journalling, Self-care, and Meditation

To fight cognitive impairment and poor mental health, managing stress levels for both men and women is essential. Cognitive behavioral therapy offers many routes to help you reduce stress in your life—such as journalling, self-care, and meditation. Creating more mindful daily habits and improving your quality of life can help keep you calm and reduce your brain fog.

Consult a Doctor

If you suspect an underlying health condition is causing your brain fog, you should contact your doctor for an evaluation. They will be able to provide you with a physical exam and determine any deficiencies or conditions you have.

Limit Your Sugar Intake

Sugar can cause highs and crashes. Ingesting too much sugar regularly can contribute to feelings of mental fatigue and brain fog. If you tend to drink sugary drinks, try switching them out for black coffee or green tea—these will provide you with caffeine to help energize you.

Moderate Alcohol Consumption

Consuming alcohol is an integral part of many social activities, but it can be terrible for your physical and mental health. Moderating your alcohol consumption, and limiting what you drink, can help you to experience a mood boost, improved cognitive health, and better physical well-being.

Takeaway

When you're suffering from brain fog, acting sooner rather than later is essential. To alleviate brain fog, you can review your general health and well-being—including your diet—to identify areas for improvement. Or, you can take supplements for brain fog to ensure your body gets the support it needs.

If you're curious about using functional mushroom supplements for brain fog, check out Mushroom Revival. Our 100% fruiting body, organic supplements will help you begin your wellness journey in a fun and simple way. Explore our wide variety of functional mushroom products today!