Brain Fog
Description
Brain fog isn’t a formal diagnosis, but it’s a real and frustrating experience—often described as mental cloudiness, memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, and slow thinking. In functional medicine, brain fog is a red flag for underlying imbalances: it may result from blood sugar swings, food sensitivities (like gluten), chronic inflammation, mold exposure, poor sleep, gut-brain axis disruption, or mitochondrial dysfunction. By investigating root causes and using targeted nutrients, detoxification support, and lifestyle strategies, brain fog can often be significantly reduced or eliminated.
Symptoms
Poor concentration
Slow thinking or mental slowness
Short-term memory issues
Trouble finding words
Fatigue, especially mental
Disconnection or detachment
Head pressure or heaviness
Confusion or overwhelm in conversation
Difficulty multitasking
Low motivation or drive
Labs & Testing Options
Organic acids test (mitochondria, neurotransmitters)
Food sensitivity testing
Comprehensive stool analysis (gut-brain axis)
Mycotoxin and heavy metal testing
Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3/T4, rT3)
Vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, and omega-3 levels
Adrenal cortisol rhythm testing
EBV, Lyme, and viral reactivation panels
Treatment Options
Anti-inflammatory or elimination diet (remove gluten, sugar, dairy)
Mitochondrial support (CoQ10, acetyl-L-carnitine, B vitamins)
Herbal nootropics (ginkgo, bacopa, lion’s mane)
Mold and toxin detox (if relevant)
Gut healing protocols
Adrenal and circadian rhythm support
Intermittent fasting or ketones (case-specific)
Nervous system retraining (vagal tone, neuroplasticity work)
Struggling to think clearly? We’ll help you uncover what’s clouding your brain and restore mental clarity.