Mental fog natural herbs solutions and other healthy lifestyle tips and tricks 2025: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of memory loss, isn’t the same as brain fog. According to the National Institute on Aging, roughly 10 to 20 percent of people 65 and older with MCI develop dementia over a yearlong period, however, studies are underway that aim to understand why some people with MCI progress to dementia and others don’t. What distinguishes MCI from brain fog? The cognitive impairment that can lead to dementia affects more than memory and involves functional and behavioral changes. Difficulty with money management when you were previously on top of financial matters, or a failure to register social norms when you previously understood them, can be early signs of dementia, as can trouble with procedures, an inability to do things you used to do, and problems with spatial awareness, such as getting lost. Discover extra information on How to clear brain fog?.
Some scientists also speculate that dysfunction of the gut microbiome might lead to brain fog in some cases, as one small study published in October 2024 found evidence of brain fog in more than half of participants with gastrointestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel syndrome. Scientists hypothesize that changes to the gut microbiome might play a role in long COVID-related brain fog too, and some research suggests that a microbial imbalance in the gut might contribute to neuroinflammation. But in many other conditions, scientists haven’t found out much about the biology of brain fog. That’s because there have been very few high-quality studies on brain fog in general, Denno says. And the higher quality studies that have specifically looked into brain fog are often inconsistent in their results and methodology. The link between brain fog and chronic pain, for example, remains murky for this reason, researchers argue.
The Definition of Insulin Resistance – Insulin is an important hormone produced by the pancreas, which is secreted during certain points of the day, as well as immediately after eating. The main task of this hormone is to deliver glucose from the blood to the cells to maintain blood sugar at acceptable levels. However, certain people suffer from conditions where blood glucose isn’t recognized by the cells, which makes blood sugar levels rise and causes the cells to not receive all the nutrients they need to function properly. Basically, insulin resistance means that the body isn’t able to respond to insulin the way it should, which means blood glucose levels are not regulated properly. Cells become less sensitive to the natural insulin, thus a person experiences blood sugar spikes. This condition may develop due to various factors, starting with genetic predisposition and ending with an unhealthy lifestyle.
Sage is an herb for memory that has a number of brain benefits. A spice known for its pungent scent, sage might also improve cognition and aid in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a research review published in 2017, suggests sage contains compounds that may be beneficial for cognitive and neurological function. Turmeric is a spice long used in Ayurveda, a holistic, whole-body approach to medicine that originated in India thousands of years ago. This herb contains a compound called curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (two factors that may benefit brain health and overall health).
Lemon balm contains rosmarinic acid (RA), a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may have neuroprotective effects. One 2023 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that the administration of 500 mg of Melissa officinalis extract (aka lemon balm extract) may help prevent cognitive decline in older adults who do not have hypertension. Other research has found that 500 mg per day of lemon balm is safe and well-tolerated and may help prevent the worsening of neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Diet and nutrition – What crosses through your lips is the foundation of your health. Food influences every function in your body, and when it comes to cognition and mental clarity, diet can make or break it. So, if you’re constantly experiencing brain fog, your diet is the first (and easiest) place to start. For optimal function, the body requires a balance of all essential vitamins and minerals. A deficiency, or sometimes even an excess, or any single nutrient can lead to a host of adverse reactions, some of which can manifest in the brain. For example, B vitamin deficiencies often lead to cognitive issues, including fatigue, emotional disturbances, confusion, poor memory, cognitive decline, behavior changes, and general cognitive impairment. But it’s not just what you’re not eating—it could also be what you are eating. Gluten, specifically, is known to cause brain fog and contribute to systemic inflammation, which can exacerbate cognitive issues. See many more details at Fog on the brain: Clearing the Haze.