What Natural Supplements Help with Brain Fog?

Brain fog can be disconcerting and frustrating. That temporary experience when the brain fails, leaving us unable to retrieve memories or think logically is not uncommon. The foggy feeling may strike at the most inopportune moments leaving you unable to express your thoughts, remember your intent, or locate your car keys. A sluggish brain can throw off the rest of your body since its systems are closely connected.

It happens to everyone occasionally, but some people experience brain fog on a recurring basis. If you find yourself dealing with brain fog, you may have questions like what causes it and what natural supplements help with brain fog? Answers to some frequently asked questions may be able to help.

Understanding Brain Fog and Its Causes

Many people experience brain fog at one time or another. Both the symptoms and the cause may vary, however. When it happens, it can be very distressing.

What Is Brain Fog?

Brain fog is not a medical term, but more of a graphic description of the perception that your mind is cloudy and not functioning properly. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “a usually temporary state of diminished mental capacity marked by inability to concentrate or to think or reason clearly.” Though not confined to specific cognitive deficits, some common complaints include:

• Difficulty with short-term memory
• Having to repeat a mental task or process information multiple times
• Inability to focus or concentrate
• Trouble with multitasking

Though nonspecific, the presence of brain fog may be inconvenient. Brain fog can lead to a lack of focus or concentration, preventing you from accomplishing simple tasks.

What Causes Brain Fog?

Brain fog can occur for a variety of reasons. Nutritional deficits, sleep deprivation, and mental stress may all lead to brain fog. When you are overtired, stressed, or dealing with many things at once, your mind may be overloaded and unable to process all the stimuli effectively.

What Natural Supplements Help With Brain Fog?

There are natural supplements that may help to improve your focus and support mental clarity. These fall into two major categories: adaptogens and nootropics. Both support the brain in different ways.

What Is an Adaptogen?

The human body exists in homeostatic balance. As internal stresses and external forces create change, the body has powerful, physiological mechanisms and feedback loops that help it adapt and restore balance. An adaptogen supports the body’s natural processes for achieving balance once again.

With regard to brain fog, adaptogens support the body’s ability to manage stress. Along with getting adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and minimizing stress, an adaptogenic supplement may help to fight fatigue and increase mental work capacity.^‡ Including an adaptogenic supplement in your regular wellness routine may help you to build resilience.^‡

What is a Nootropic?

A nootropic is another type of supplement that supports cognition and healthy brain function. From coffee to fish oil to prescription stimulants and naturally-occurring nutrients including certain vitamins and minerals, there are many substances that support brain function and mood. Nootropics promote cognitive functions, memory, and learning.

Since some prescription medications may have negative side effects, people often choose a botanical or mushroom supplement to help them deal with brain fog. When incorporated into your daily routine, the nutritive and antioxidant capacity of the bioactive compounds contained in these natural supplements can support brain health and mood.^‡

Where Can I Find Supplements to Help With Brain Fog?

One natural supplement that qualifies as both an adaptogen and a nootropic is reishi, a functional mushroom. Used for thousands of years in the traditional medicine practices of several Asian cultures, reishi is now widely cultivated and available around the world. Besides supporting a healthy immune system and promoting gut health, reishi supports the mind and body in dealing with stress.^‡

Lion’s mane supplements also contain many compounds that support focus and clarity.^‡ Aside from the nutrients and antioxidant content, lion’s mane has hericenones from the fruit body and erinacines from the mycelium, two groups of chemicals that research has demonstrated can cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF). As a food-based nootropic, lion’s mane powder supplements are one of the best mushrooms to support brain health.^‡

Where you get your functional mushroom supplement is an important consideration, however. Look for a whole food reishi mushroom powder that blends the mycelium and fruit body of this “king of mushrooms” to take advantage of all of its characteristic bioactive compounds. It can be mixed into hot beverages or smoothies or incorporated into your favorite recipe. If you prefer your supplement in capsule form, look for one containing the same high-quality powder grown under strict standards in an optimal environment.

Another option for adding reishi to your daily routine is a premixed, premeasured functional beverage. With caffeine or without, these hot drink mixes harness the power of reishi with other functional mushrooms and botanical adaptogens. Just add hot water and your choice of dairy, oat, or nut milk for a nourishing warm beverage.

Dealing Proactively With Brain Fog 

Occasional or short-term problems may be supported with concentrated effort. Dealing effectively with stress, getting adequate sleep, and focusing on wellness routines that help to quiet and focus your mind are all actions you can take. Adding a daily functional mushroom supplement to help support brain health is another proactive way to sharpen your focus and rid yourself of annoying brain fog.^‡

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^‡These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Functional mushroom products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.