Brain Fog Isn't In Your Head: Here's What You Need To Know

As a functional medicine practitioner, my job is to clinically investigate and treat the underlying cause of chronic health problems to actually heal the body and not just manage symptoms. One of the biggest players in the "brain fog" many of us experience is the health of the gut. So let's jump in:

It’s not uncommon that I see a patient come in for brain fog or depression and after running labs find that they also have leaky gut syndrome. It just goes to show that you do not have to have digestive symptoms in order to have digestive problems.

Inflammation doesn’t do your blood-brain barrier any favors either. The molecule microRNA-155 is elevated with increased inflammation and can create gaps in the blood-brain barrier, letting bacteria and other toxins slip through. Your brain’s immune system ends up working in overdrive to fight off these invaders and ends up creating more inflammation in your brain to try to protect it. It’s because of this inflammatory oxidative stress in the hypothalamus of the brain that you forget where you left your keys and struggle to get through the day.

Another contributor to brain fog that often goes overlooked is an imbalance in hormones, specifically cortisol. Your brain-adrenal (HPA) axis controls the secretion this major stress hormone through a specific chain of command. Your hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which then instructs the pituitary gland to release the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which is responsible for telling your adrenal cortex to release cortisol. When there is a dysfunction of your brain’s communication with your adrenals, it leads to what is known as adrenal fatigue and puts stress on your immune system. In that case, we end up seeing brain fog as being both the cause and effect of adrenal fatigue due to the brain-hormone connection.

It takes anywhere from 12 to 24 months to fully repair a leaky gut. Begin your healing journey by bringing in food medicines like bone broth, which works to build up damaged gut lining along with probiotic-rich fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir.

What can’t adaptogens help with? These plants bring balance to every system in your body, and your brain is no exception. Holy basil is one of my favorites for brain fog as it works to increase cognitive function as well as regulate1 cortisol levels. I also love lion's mane mushrooms because of their uber-powerful neuroprotective benefits. This mushroom contains nerve growth factors (NGFs) that can regenerate and protect brain tissues. Studies have shown2 that supplementation improves cognitive function.

Infrared light is a great tool for bringing down inflammation levels. Sitting in a far infrared sauna for at least 30 minutes a few times a week is a relaxing way to reduce inflammation and de-stress.

When your brain is deficient in vitamin D, it can contribute3 to brain fog and decreased memory. Sunshine is the most bioavailable source, but if you can’t get outside, turn to food to get this essential nutrient. Take advantage of the high levels found in salmon, mackerel, and tuna, and combine them with foods packed with fat-soluble vitamins A, K2, and E, which make vitamin D more bioavailable.

There are so many different ways to avoid toxins in your everyday life, and they can all help mitigate what's passing through a damaged blood-brain barrier as you heal.

Despite living in a culture that doesn't value sleep as much as it should, we need sleep to feel our best—especially when it comes to mental clarity. And it makes sense that a lack of sleep leaves you in a fog since it increases4 the oxidative stress in your brain’s hypothalamus.

Need relief ASAP? Here's what functional medicine experts do when they have brain fog.