If you’ve ever been in a mental fog, then you know what it feels like: you can’t find your keys in the morning, you space out in the afternoon, or you lose your focus on the job. You often feel like you’re in a daze or you’re frequently “spacing out.” Brain fog sufferers report that they just don’t feel quite like themselves.  Brain fog can feel episodic; sometimes you are as sharp as a tack, while at other times, you feel like you forgot to take your brain with you when you left the house.

Other common complaints include loss of spatial awareness (a feeling that you’re not present), lack of attention to detail or attention deficit, an absence of focus or a lack of clarity.

You’re not alone. Brain fog is a very common complaint, although it is not a recognized diagnosed illness within the realm of conventional medicine. It’s hard to put a number on how many people are truly suffering from reduced mental functioning due to brain fog.

Many brain fog sufferers blame their mental decline on the stress of daily living or “the signs of aging,” and they fail to seek treatment. However, old and young alike can experience dramatic improvements in their mental acuity by addressing the many underlying causes of brain fog, such as nutritional deficiencies, neurotoxicity, chronic infections, and chronic disease.

Some Common Causes

of Brain Fog:

•    Adrenal fatigue syndrome – The adrenal glands fail to produce key hormones that effectively regulate the body’s stress response. As a result, adrenal fatigue syndrome can cause brain fog symptoms due to the body’s inability to handle stress effectively.

•    Insomnia / sleep deprivation – Sleep is crucial for optimal brain function. Lack of adequate sleep can affect mood, cause depression, anxiety, and clouded thinking.

•    Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) – Chronic fatigue syndrome is known for its overwhelming fatigue. CFS affects concentration, short-term memory and disrupts healthy sleep patterns.

•    Nutritional deficiencies – Nutritional deficiencies can affect brain function, due to a lack of nutrients necessary for optimal brain function. Deficiencies of magnesium, vitamin B-12, and amino acids can cause significant brain impairment such as lack of concentration, short-term memory loss, attention deficit, and spaciness (or lack of focus).

•    Blood sugar issues such as hypoglycemia or diabetes – Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can cause significant symptoms such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and clouded thinking.

•    Allergies and food intolerances such as to gluten and lactose – Many patients who are lactose and/or gluten intolerant find that their brain function often suffers as a result of allergies to these substances.

Acupuncture takes a holistic approach to your health. Your practitioner will take a detailed health history, and perform a physical exam to determine how and why your brain is foggy. The treatments will be designed based on your unique make up and circumstances to deliver the most effective care. Acupuncture provides an effective, safe, drug free treatment to help restore your health.