Brain fog isn’t actually a medical condition, but rather a term used to describe the feeling of being mentally sluggish and fuzzy. It can be a symptom of other health conditions. It is the uncomfortable feeling of being spaced out.Brain fog feels like lack of mental clarity. It can effect your ability to focus and make it difficult for you to recall things, or pay attention to what’s going on around you. It can also make you feel out of sorts and unlike yourself.

Brain Fog

<ol><li>Lack of sleep</li><li>Increased stress levels</li><li>Depression</li><li>Medication</li><li>Hormonal conditions such as thyroid disorders</li><li>Nutrient deficiencies such as Vitamin B12 </li><li>Viral infections</li></ol>

Causes Of Brain Fog

<ol><li>Focusing on a idea or thought</li><li>Recalling things</li><li>Multitasking</li><li>Paying attention to your surroundings</li></ol>

Symptoms Of Brain Fog

<ol><li>Try new things</li><li>Get enough sleep</li><li>Avoid multitasking</li><li>Work on your memory (Improve your memory)</li><li>Take mental breaks</li><li>Focus on your attention</li><li>Stay socially active</li><li>Engage in deep thought (positive ones)</li><li>Try meditation</li><li>Excercise regularly and follow healthy diet</li><li>Avoid alcohol and drugs</li></ol>

Tips And Tricks To Reduce Brain Fog

<figure><img src="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/CrL2d6QeqqVNL--ShEb-X-qXJic=/500x350/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-758312203-a66d9cc4b3c94a4d992d0f3b4f835362.jpg" srcset="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/YkwRg3XLBKOKJ0hHSSg0kowD38g=/300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-758312203-a66d9cc4b3c94a4d992d0f3b4f835362.jpg 300w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/6-WpjJ1d2nP24Frnx657_hLWqWg=/417x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-758312203-a66d9cc4b3c94a4d992d0f3b4f835362.jpg 417w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/NA3lclNJnRtUjCYhUTXl9T2QN1Y=/534x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-758312203-a66d9cc4b3c94a4d992d0f3b4f835362.jpg 534w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/MYskSzbz53ncOK9xil0ZTbGikFU=/768x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-758312203-a66d9cc4b3c94a4d992d0f3b4f835362.jpg 768w" alt="Mid adult woman touching her face." width="721" height="480"><figcaption dir="auto">Science Photo Library / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
Brain fog isn’t actually a medical condition, but rather a term used to describe the feeling of being mentally sluggish and fuzzy. It can be a symptom of other health conditions.

Brain fog feels like a lack of mental clarity; it can affect your ability to <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/things-you-can-do-to-improve-your-mental-focus-4115389" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">focus</a> and make it difficult for you to recall things, says <a href="https://drsabrinaromanoff.com/" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" data-ordinal="2" rel="noopener" dir="ltr">Sabrina Romanoff</a>, PsyD, a professor and clinical psychologist in New York City.
<div dir="ltr">
Ultimately, brain fog can impact the way you feel about yourself. Individuals often do not feel like themselves as the loss of mental sharpness feels foreign to them.</div><div>
— Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD</div><h2 dir="ltr"> Causes of Brain Fog </h2>
A number of factors and health conditions can cause brain fog, including:
<UL><LI>Perimenopause</LI><LI>Medication</LI><LI>Hormonal conditions, such as thyroid disorders</LI><LI>Chronic health conditions, such as multiple sclerosis</LI><LI>Nutrient deficiencies, such as a <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/your-brain-needs-these-vitamins-5114455" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="5" dir="ltr">vitamin B12</a> deficiency</LI><LI>Viral infections, such as <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/new-study-reveals-how-covid-19-gets-into-the-brain-5182457" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="6" dir="ltr">COVID-19</a>, SARS, and H1N11</LI></UL>COVID-19 can cause inflammation in the brain, which can affect the ability of neurons in the brain to communicate with each other, resulting in brain fog. However, the stress, anxiety, isolation, and threat of the coronavirus pandemic can also indirectly cause brain fog, since it can be exhausting for your brain, says Romanoff.
It is not unusual for brain fog to be caused by a combination of two or three of these factors since they often go hand in hand.&nbsp;

For instance, depression can lead to a <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/reasons-for-not-sleeping-well-and-how-to-fix-350760" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">lack of sleep</a> or vice versa. Similarly, <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/relationship-between-stress-and-sleep-3144945" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">stress can affect your sleep</a> and cause depression. <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/the-connection-between-menopause-and-depression-4767577" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3" dir="ltr">Perimenopause</a> may be accompanied by lack of sleep and depression.
<h2 dir="ltr"> Symptoms of Brain Fog </h2>
If you have brain fog, you may have difficulty with <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognition-2794982" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">cognitive functions</a>, such as:
<UL><LI><a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-attention-2795009" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">Focusing</a> on a thought or idea</LI><LI>Following conversations</LI><LI><a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-does-attention-work-2795015" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="4" dir="ltr">Paying attention</a> to your surroundings</LI></UL>Brain fog can also cause symptoms like headaches and mental exhaustion.<h2 dir="ltr"> Tips and Tricks to Reduce Brain Fog </h2>
These are some steps you can take to reduce brain fog:
<UL><LI>Get enough sleep: Sleep is important for your brain and body to clear out unhealthy toxins that can contribute to brain fog. Try to follow a fixed sleep schedule and make it a point to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Avoid using electronic devices like your <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-do-smartphones-affect-the-brain-2794892" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">mobile</a>, laptop, or television before you go to sleep.</LI><LI>Try new things: Keep your mind engaged with <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/brain-exercises-to-strengthen-your-mind-2795039" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">mentally stimulating activities</a> and make an effort to try new things. For instance, take a different route to work, try a different approach to a task you do regularly, or listen to different music. This can help increase the production of a brain chemical called <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/norepinephrine-380039" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3" dir="ltr">norepinephrine</a>, which stimulates the brain.</LI><LI>Avoid multitasking: <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/multitasking-2795003" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="4" dir="ltr">Multitasking</a> can drain your energy and lower your productivity, especially if you’re trying to do two activities that require conscious thought. Instead, try focusing on one thing at a time.</LI><LI>Work on your memory: If you’re prone to forgetting things, try using different tricks to <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/great-ways-to-improve-your-memory-2795356" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="5" dir="ltr">improve your memory</a>. For instance, rhymes, mnemonics, or visual or verbal cues can help you remember important things. You can also try repetition; for instance, if someone tells you their name, saying it back to them can help you remember it.</LI><LI>Take mental breaks: Make it a point to take a couple of mental breaks during the day, where you don’t think about anything and be in the moment. You can close your eyes, take a short walk, or look out your window.</LI><LI>Focus your attention: If you get distracted by multiple things or lose focus, try to slow down and focus all your attention on one task. Then, work on completing that task, no matter how small.&nbsp;</LI><LI>Stay socially active: Participating in social activities can improve your mood, memory, and cognition.</LI><LI>Engage in deep thought: Exercise your mind by spending a little time engaged in deep thought each day. For instance, if you have read an article, spend 10 minutes thinking about the article's contents.</LI><LI>Try meditation: <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-meditation-2795927" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="6" dir="ltr">Meditation</a> can help reduce stress and relax your brain and body.</LI><LI>Exercise regularly: Staying <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/physical-exercise-for-panic-disorder-and-anxiety-2584094" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="7" dir="ltr">physically active</a> can improve your mental health.</LI><LI>Follow a healthy diet: A healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can help with memory, cognition, and brain health.&nbsp;</LI><LI>Avoid alcohol and drugs: These substances can impair your senses and adversely <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/does-drinking-alcohol-really-kill-brain-cells-2794887" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="8" dir="ltr">affect your brain</a>.</LI></UL><h2 dir="ltr"> A Word From Verywell </h2>
Brain fog is the uncomfortable feeling of being spaced out. It can make it difficult for you to focus on tasks at hand, remember things, or pay attention to what’s going on around you. It can also make you feel out of sorts and unlike yourself.&nbsp;

Many people may experience the occasional bout of brain fog if they haven’t slept well, or if they have allergies and have taken antihistamine medication, for instance. However, some health conditions may cause persistent brain fog.&nbsp;

Discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider; they may be able to determine what’s causing the brain fog and suggest a treatment plan accordingly.
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Brain fog is the term used to describe the feeling of being mentally fuzzy. It can make focusing, recalling things, and multitasking difficult.

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Brain fog isn’t actually a medical condition, but rather a term used to describe the feeling of being mentally sluggish and fuzzy. It can be a symptom of other health conditions.

Brain fog feels like a lack of mental clarity; it can affect your ability to <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/things-you-can-do-to-improve-your-mental-focus-4115389">focus </a>and make it difficult for you to recall things, says <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://drsabrinaromanoff.com/" rel="noopener">Sabrina Romanoff </a>, PsyD, a professor and clinical psychologist in New York City.

Ultimately, brain fog can impact the way you feel about yourself. Individuals often do not feel like themselves as the loss of mental sharpness feels foreign to them.

A number of factors and health conditions can cause brain fog, including:

<ul><li>Perimenopause </li><li>Medication </li><li>Hormonal conditions, such as thyroid disorders </li><li>Chronic health conditions, such as multiple sclerosis </li><li>Nutrient deficiencies, such as a <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="5" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/your-brain-needs-these-vitamins-5114455">vitamin B12 </a>deficiency </li><li>Viral infections, such as <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="6" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/new-study-reveals-how-covid-19-gets-into-the-brain-5182457">COVID-19 </a>, SARS, and H1N11 </li> </ul>

COVID-19 can cause inflammation in the brain, which can affect the ability of neurons in the brain to communicate with each other, resulting in brain fog. However, the stress, anxiety, isolation, and threat of the coronavirus pandemic can also indirectly cause brain fog, since it can be exhausting for your brain, says Romanoff.

It is not unusual for brain fog to be caused by a combination of two or three of these factors since they often go hand in hand.

For instance, depression can lead to a <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/reasons-for-not-sleeping-well-and-how-to-fix-350760">lack of sleep </a>or vice versa. Similarly, <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/relationship-between-stress-and-sleep-3144945">stress can affect your sleep </a>and cause depression. <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="3" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/the-connection-between-menopause-and-depression-4767577">Perimenopause </a>may be accompanied by lack of sleep and depression.

If you have brain fog, you may have difficulty with <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognition-2794982">cognitive functions </a>, such as:

<ul><li><a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-attention-2795009">Focusing </a>on a thought or idea </li><li>Following conversations </li><li><a data-component="link" data-ordinal="4" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-does-attention-work-2795015">Paying attention </a>to your surroundings </li> </ul>

Brain fog can also cause symptoms like headaches and mental exhaustion.

These are some steps you can take to reduce brain fog:

<ul><li>Get enough sleep: Sleep is important for your brain and body to clear out unhealthy toxins that can contribute to brain fog. Try to follow a fixed sleep schedule and make it a point to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Avoid using electronic devices like your <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-do-smartphones-affect-the-brain-2794892">mobile </a>, laptop, or television before you go to sleep. </li><li>Try new things: Keep your mind engaged with <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/brain-exercises-to-strengthen-your-mind-2795039">mentally stimulating activities </a>and make an effort to try new things. For instance, take a different route to work, try a different approach to a task you do regularly, or listen to different music. This can help increase the production of a brain chemical called <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="3" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/norepinephrine-380039">norepinephrine </a>, which stimulates the brain. </li><li>Avoid multitasking: <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="4" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/multitasking-2795003">Multitasking </a>can drain your energy and lower your productivity, especially if you’re trying to do two activities that require conscious thought. Instead, try focusing on one thing at a time. </li><li>Work on your memory: If you’re prone to forgetting things, try using different tricks to <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="5" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/great-ways-to-improve-your-memory-2795356">improve your memory </a>. For instance, rhymes, mnemonics, or visual or verbal cues can help you remember important things. You can also try repetition; for instance, if someone tells you their name, saying it back to them can help you remember it. </li><li>Take mental breaks: Make it a point to take a couple of mental breaks during the day, where you don’t think about anything and be in the moment. You can close your eyes, take a short walk, or look out your window. </li><li>Focus your attention: If you get distracted by multiple things or lose focus, try to slow down and focus all your attention on one task. Then, work on completing that task, no matter how small.  </li><li>Stay socially active: Participating in social activities can improve your mood, memory, and cognition. </li><li>Engage in deep thought: Exercise your mind by spending a little time engaged in deep thought each day. For instance, if you have read an article, spend 10 minutes thinking about the article's contents. </li><li>Try meditation: <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="6" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-meditation-2795927">Meditation </a>can help reduce stress and relax your brain and body. </li><li>Exercise regularly: Staying <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="7" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/physical-exercise-for-panic-disorder-and-anxiety-2584094">physically active </a>can improve your mental health. </li><li>Follow a healthy diet: A healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can help with memory, cognition, and brain health.  </li><li>Avoid alcohol and drugs: These substances can impair your senses and adversely <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="8" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/does-drinking-alcohol-really-kill-brain-cells-2794887">affect your brain </a>. </li> </ul>

Brain fog is the uncomfortable feeling of being spaced out. It can make it difficult for you to focus on tasks at hand, remember things, or pay attention to what’s going on around you. It can also make you feel out of sorts and unlike yourself.

Many people may experience the occasional bout of brain fog if they haven’t slept well, or if they have allergies and have taken antihistamine medication, for instance. However, some health conditions may cause persistent brain fog.

Discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider; they may be able to determine what’s causing the brain fog and suggest a treatment plan accordingly.

What Is Brain Fog?

Brain Fog

Causes Of Brain Fog

Symptoms Of Brain Fog

Tips And Tricks To Reduce Brain Fog

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