Sleep & energy
4 guidesPoor sleep, snoring and waking up tired.
What is brain fog? Find the cause of yours
Brain fog means trouble concentrating, remembering, finding words or thinking clearly. It describes symptoms, not a single condition. What brain fog is ↗
How to get rid of brain fog
Tools to try
Brain fog testA 13-question quiz by Dr. Amarfei that narrows down which causes fit you. Three free memory gamesRecall words, find another way to say something, or try letters and squares. Practical changesChanges to sleep, meals, exercise and screen time. Eight at-home self-checksMovement, balance, vision and thinking. Fog ModeA free Chrome extension that makes pages easier to read.
Plans
SleepBetter sleep for brain fog. DietBrain fog after eating. HormonesMenopause, thyroid, PCOS and low testosterone. DysautonomiaPOTS and dizziness on standing. MindMeditation and breathing. ExerciseWalking, aerobic and strength training. Cognitive rehabilitationBrain exercises for everyday tasks.
Guides to read
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- Take the quizAnswer up to 13 questions to see which causes to read about first.
- Browse all causes ↓Explore the causes by category.
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When is your brain fog worst?
Choose an answer to see related causes and articles.
Brain fog quiz
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Explore the causes
What causes brain fog?
Metabolic & hormonal
11 guidesBlood sugar, thyroid problems and hormone changes.
Gut & nutrition
14 guidesFood reactions, digestive problems and low nutrient levels.
Mind & mood
5 guidesADHD, autism, depression and other mental health conditions.
Daily life & habits
4 guidesCaffeine, nicotine, diet and physical activity.
Immune & infection
7 guidesInfections, autoimmune conditions and symptoms that continue after an illness.
Circulation & connective tissue
3 guidesPOTS, EDS and fibromyalgia.
Brain & body
6 guidesHead injuries, migraines, neck problems and blood flow to the brain.
Neurological
5 guidesMS, anxiety, trauma and burnout.
Environment & exposures
5 guidesAir quality, mold, chemicals and medication side effects.
Women’s health
2 guidesEndometriosis and pregnancy.
Life changes & recovery
3 guidesRecovery after childbirth, surgery or cancer treatment.
Pain & fatigue
1 guidePersistent pain and its effects on thinking.
Organ systems
2 guidesKidney disease and multiple myeloma.
Symptoms that can help explain your brain fog
1 of 3
Do you wake up tired, with a headache or a dry mouth?
Read about sleep apnea if you snore, wake with a dry mouth or headache, or someone has noticed pauses in your breathing.
Articles
What does brain fog feel like?
Examples of trouble concentrating, remembering and finding words.
Read the article ↗
Brain fog after eating
Compare when symptoms start, what you ate and whether you also get bloating, itching or shakiness.
Read the article ↗
Brain Fog After Normal Tests: Prepare for Your Visit
Bring your test results and examples of what has changed to your next appointment.
Read the article ↗Already have a test result?
Look up what your test measures and what the result means.
Open the lab interpreter ↗
Research on caffeine withdrawal
- 2004
Which symptoms follow caffeine withdrawal?
Stopping caffeine can cause headache, tiredness, sleepiness, low mood, irritability and trouble concentrating.
Read the review ↗PMID 15448977 - 2018
Why people respond differently
People clear caffeine at different speeds and feel different effects.
Read the review ↗PMID 29514871
New brain fog research
- Menopause, brain aging and cognition
Forgot a basic word mid-meeting? 1,300 blood proteins differ by menopause stage.
Read the analysis ↗ - Hearing, tinnitus and cognition
Your “bad memory” might start with your ears
Read the analysis ↗ - Depression and cognition
Recurrent depression: lower scores in five thinking skills, no clear difference in most comparisons
Read the analysis ↗
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Saved in My Fog
- ArticleWhat does brain fog feel like?
- CauseSleep