Brain Fog: Causes and Cures

In this episode of I CARE FOR YOUR BRAIN with Dr. Sullivan, board certified neuropsychologist Dr. Karen D. Sullivan discusses brain fog. Watch and learn about six causes of this mental over- or under stimulation and decrease in working memory, as well as evidence-based treatments for improving the symptoms starting today.

[meswrdn]

I cured my brain fog. Here is what i did. First, I lost weight (110 lbs). Second, i became active (walking, weights). Third, i flipped my diet from S.A.D. to a mild keto. I changed my environment from a constant stressful one, to a mostly stress free one (changed jobs). All of this led to better sleep and emotional control. To refine the changes, i cut out added sugars and caffeine. Of all this, i think, me for, its about blood sugar control and good sleep. Good luck to you all!

[karensees]

You are a blessing- I’ve been dealing with the loss of my husband, who passed nearly 8 years ago. After 50 years together, he was my best friend and my lover - father of our 5 living now adult children. I believe I was trying to go through the motions of “ moving on” with my life and it is recently collapsing around me. I’ve been to grief counseling, bereavement groups, and SSRI’s - I am a retired RN and I just said enough- I tapered of the med slowly- my MD said I could just stop- I said NO. I knew that was not a viable strategy. I have all the “symptoms “ you so clearly describe and will discuss a possible sleep study with my primary next month. I also say that I have no trouble sleeping- I fall right to sleep without any pharmaceutical help and without ETOH. But my focus has become increasingly absent and my memory vague. Thank you so much for your clear and useful words and advice.

[gabrielgabriel]

I have been suffering from Brian fog for the last 10 years and no doctor understood me. It’s getting bit better after being put on biologics but still looking for solution. I feel like you read my mind ! Thank you and keep up the good work! You’re helping people across different walks of life !

[JustBHonest]

I am going through this right now. I haven't been able to figure out what the hell is going on. It is the most uncomfortable feeling in the world. Thank you for this info. I was going into my appointments blind and not being able to explain what I'm feeling. Now i had a good idea of what to discuss. I will let you know tomorrow what the doctor says.

[Johnorekunow]

Thank you from Australia Dr Karen. I've had type 1 diabetes and hypo thyroidism for 59 years. I have gastroparesis and many hypos. Also fibromyalgia and concussion syndrome. This video has helped me to thank God I can still function at all. Thank you, have a lovely Christmas 💜

[kathyschubert]

Thank you for a wonderful lecture, Dr. Sullivan. I’ve had fibromyalgia for 30+ years. My brain fog has been going on many, many years as well. I was recently downgraded from Alzheimer’s to Mild Cognitive Impairment (an umbrella term I don’t know what to do with). I asked my primary doctor, if my fibromyalgia or sleep apnea could be causing my brain fog. She said there were too many causes of brain fog to know. So your lecture was extremely timely and educational for me. Thank you so very much!

[SusanWauchope]

I stumbled across your information (while up at 12:30 am) & found it very fascinating as well as informative. As an RN who is now a senior, I’ve been experiencing this fog & fearing it was the start of dementia. This gives me some guidelines to begin working with: diet, increase exercise, & planning to retire so that I can re-develop a healthy sleep routine. I’m currently on-call for an 80-hr week every other week to go see patients in their residences. I tend to fall asleep when I sit in something somewhat comfortable when I’m not working or driving.
Looking forward to hearing more from you. Thank you!

[SaltTahsVlog]

Thank u for being so generous in conducting these lectures. It helps people like us who wants to have a healthy brain. .

[truman.]

Going for a swim in the ocean is great for brain health - Earthing, soaking up minerals including Iodine, recharging the whole body & allowing increased detoxification & rejuvenation etc.. like a reset button

You are very appreciated for sharing true practical & helpful information that’s considerably improving people’s quality of life. And also for having genuine empathy, kindness, consideration & understanding.
🙏

[fafaintexas]

Thank you for the wonderful and informative lectures. It is 3 AM and it’s the second or third time tonight I have awoken. My primary care physician has told me how important sleep is, but she never told me why. Doctors tell us what we need to do, but they never tell us why. Because of your lecture, I realize I need to have a sleep study.

[rebel.grace_]

Everything you said about trauma resonated with me. I figured emotional trauma was the cause of my brain fog and I have experienced it since I was a little kid. I also have a learning disability and was diagnosed with ADHD at 33. At one point the brain fog went away…when I enjoyed my job and felt good at what’s I was doing. Things changed and the environment triggered ptsd so I left. Then I got my current job and it’s also been super triggering for trauma. Brain fog is the worst it’s been in a long time. I am overwhelmed and depressed. I’m pretty useless. Your comment about Benedryl is also interesting. I always had bad allergies as a kid and took Benedryl (in the early 90’s). I also have chronic pain. I’ll just stop there😅Thank you for this info.

[stephie]

I am suffering from debilitating post covid chronic fatigue. Life has stopped on a dime for me and I feel hopeless and decimated, with a longing for my previous life. Thank you so much for this outstanding summary of a condition so few of us have any understanding about.

I am currently treating with modafinil. It helps me work and drive but I know have very severe crashes after using. Otherwise nothing else had helped.

[tiannabobo]

Brilliant. I broke down crying but you're absolutely right. Thank you so much for what you do!!!

[angc.]

Dr. Sullivan, thank you, again, for another educational lecture. So many things you touched on made a lot of sense. I sure wish you were my doctor. I appreciate your time and love for brain health and for making these lectures available to the public. Merry Christmas to you and yours and a blessed 2024!🎉

[alana]

Your videos are amazing! Thank you for helping to make legitimate health information super accessible 🙏

[lpaulina]

Please keep doing more videos like this. I feel I gotmy life back after understanding the things I am doing wrong and they are keeping me constantly tired and depressed. I feel normal and hopeful ☺

[sallymitchell]

Thank you so much. Understanding why makes acceptance and finding strategies for improvement so much easier! Very much appreciated

[worldview]

Wow, thanks for explaining this, I've had this condition all my life & didn't know it

[Avelithe]

I am suffering this. On top of having ADHD, I believe I have long COVID, because I haven't felt *this* debilitating brain fog prior, and I was good at managing my ADHD. I am constantly dragging my feet, losing the will to do ANYTHING, and gaining weight as a result, which is leading me to feel depressed. Forcing myself to do anything makes my body protest in response, screaming at me to go lay back down because I just don't have the energy, but things have to get done, being a mom never stops. I need help, but I can't afford insurance.

[monte-sinaievangelist]

I am here because for the past couple of weeks, I've been sleeping really really late like 5-6-7 am and I have been experiencing Brain-Fog and it's quite uncomfortable ...
at first, I wasn't too sure why this was happening, and now I get why + (SLEEP)