Brain fog is a term used to describe certain symptoms that can affect your ability to think, including confusion, forgetfulness, and a lack of focus and mental clarity. Brain fog is not a medical condition but can be caused by various factors, including:

• Lack of sleep: Poor sleep quality can interfere with how well your brain functions, and sleeping too little can lead to poor concentration and cloudy thoughts.

• Stress: Chronic stress can increase blood pressure, weaken the immune system, and trigger depression, making it harder to think, reason, and focus.

• Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes can trigger brain fog, such as a drop in estrogen levels during menopause, which can cause forgetfulness, poor concentration, and cloudy thinking.

• Diet: Vitamin B12 supports healthy brain function, and a vitamin B12 deficiency can bring about brain fog. Food allergies or sensitivities can also cause brain fog.

• Medications: Some kinds of drugs, both over-the-counter and prescribed, can cause brain fog. If you take medicine and notice that your thinking isn’t as clear as it should be or you suddenly can’t remember things, call your doctor.

• Chemicals: Sensitivity to some chemicals, both natural and man-made, can also cause brain fog, although this possibility is debated in the medical community.

• Other health conditions: Brain fog can be a symptom of other health conditions, such as anxiety, COVID-19, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, hypothyroidism, autoimmune diseases, dehydration, and viral infections.

If you experience persistent brain fog that worsens or does not improve, talk to your doctor. Brain fog may signal an underlying issue, so a single test cannot be used to diagnose it.