Everyone has memory lapses from time to time. This is often just a part of life. However, if your brain seems to be constantly trapped in a cloud, leading to persistent memory and concentration issues, you may be dealing with brain fog, and this can be a marker of more serious health conditions. Therefore, being able to tell if you are indeed experiencing brain fog is crucial, and the best way to do this is with a brain fog test. Learn more about the brain fog test here, as well as possible causes and potential management options.
Brain fog can be described as a cognitive impairment characterized by memory and concentration issues. Other common symptoms include confusion, reduced cognitive function, headaches, mood swings, and low motivation. Brain fog exists on a spectrum, implying that the symptoms may range from mild to debilitating. Because of the nature of the symptoms, brain fog is also often called mental fatigue.
There are many potential causes of brain fog. Below are some of the most common ones.
The body is constantly exposed to stress, either through internal or external stressors. Over the last few years, the level of stress we have been exposed to has increased, which is unsurprising considering the ever-increasing quantities of pollutants released into the environment. The body generally works to manage this stress through the actions of the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response.
The NEM system consists of several organs and systems, across six circuits, that work to regain and maintain homeostasis after exposure to a stressor. However, in cases where the body is exposed to a stressor for an extended period, known as chronic stress, the strain on the NEM system increases. This may lead to the dysregulation of one or more of the constituent circuits of the NEM system. If there is chronic stress on the neuroaffect circuit, which oversees the autonomic nervous system (ANS), brain, and microbiome, brain fog may result.
One of the consequences of chronic stress is fatigue. This type of fatigue is unlike the one we experience after a long day of work or an intense exercise session. Fatigue from chronic fatigue is much more severe and does not improve, even with rest. There are multiple types of this kind of fatigue, with one of the most prevalent being Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS).
Adrenal fatigue is the non-Addison’s form of adrenal dysfunction, where the body’s stress response can no longer cope with chronic life stressors. One of the key indicators of adrenal fatigue is brain fog.
Another type of fatigue – chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) – can also cause brain fog. The relationship between CFS and brain fog is still unclear, but its link to higher levels of inflammation in the central nervous system may well be responsible.1
There is a strong relationship between the gut and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis. The brain modulates the function of the gut through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and ANS. Likewise, the gut modulates the function of the brain through various microbiota-derived metabolites and gut hormones.2
Therefore, issues with the gut may affect the brain, and vice versa. As such, one of the possible causes of brain fog is poor gut health. The most obvious culprits in poor gut health are ultra-processed foods and alcohol, but poor sleep, medications, and lack of physical activity can also worsen gut health.
Stress can also cause poor gut health. This is well illustrated in the Neuroaffect circuit of the NEM, which not only influences the brain but also the microbiome.
Hormones play an important role in maintaining homeostasis in the body. However, there are times when hormone levels become imbalanced, and these imbalances can cause different conditions, depending on the affected hormone. While natural phenomena like aging, pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation are common causes of hormone changes, stress, medication use, and medical conditions can also change normal hormone levels.
Individuals with adrenal fatigue have issues with their adrenal glands. This ultimately leads to a change in the production of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and adrenal androgens. Considering that the adrenal gland is the organ most concerned with managing stress, an imbalance of some of its hormones, like progesterone and estrogen, often leads to high stress levels. Other than the adrenals, hormone imbalances of the thyroid gland can also contribute to brain fog. This explains why brain fog tests often include hormone tests.
Conditions that affect the brain and mental health can lead to brain fog. These conditions are typically ones that affect the mood or the ability to concentrate. Depression and anxiety are two of the biggest conditions that affect mood, and it is no surprise that they may lead to brain fog. A condition that affects the ability to focus is ADHD, and it is also implicated in brain fog.
Aside from mental disorders, physical conditions may also have complications that affect the brain. An example is COVID, with studies drawing a link between long COVID and brain fog.4 Other conditions that can lead to brain fog include anemia, autoimmune conditions, migraines, Lyme disease, and fibromyalgia.
We are constantly exposed to toxic substances in our environment. These substances include heavy metals (such as mercury, lead, arsenic, chromium, and cadmium) and mold. Even if a person stays indoors all day, their food, drinks, home, and medications can still introduce these toxic substances into the body. When these substances get into the body, the liver immediately starts detoxifying them, seeking to limit the harm they cause the body.
However, if the liver is overwhelmed by these substances, or there is a problem with the liver, the detoxification processes in the body slow down drastically. These toxins can then cause damage to the brain and other organs, which may cause brain fog symptoms.
The two broad types of brain fog tests are self-assessment and clinical tests. Here is what they entail.
A self-assessment brain fog test involves assessing your own symptoms and assessing how high the chances are that you have brain fog. This is the most convenient way of checking if you have brain fog. The test is usually carried out by filling out a questionnaire or survey that reveals the likelihood of your symptoms indicating brain fog.
The questions in a self-assessment brain fog test typically revolve around your symptoms. Since these symptoms are self-reported, the test results are never fully objective, opening the door to different biases. Potential problems with self-reported info are a problem for any test where the taker has to answer questions based on their own experiences. This type of brain fog test can give you an idea of if you should be concerned, but it should never replace a health practitioner’s advice.
In contrast to self-assessment brain fog tests, clinical tests are free from the subjectivities of the individual. These tests take advantage of the fact that brain fog is caused and accompanied by actual physiological changes. These tests monitor these changes. They include the following.
A saliva cortisol test is done to measure cortisol levels. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone of the body because it is released when stress levels are high. When conducting a brain fog test, your medical practitioner may call for a cortisol test, and a low level may indicate a problem with the adrenal glands.
A heavy metal test measures the levels of toxic heavy metals in the body. These metals are usually present in the blood, urine, and even hair. If the tests reflect high levels of heavy metals, it may indicate a problem with the liver. High levels of these metals can cause brain fog and other neurological issues.
Mold is another toxic substance that a brain fog test often assesses. What the medical practitioner looks for in a mold test is often the presence and levels of certain antibodies in the blood. These antibodies may indicate an exposure to high mold levels.
A comprehensive stool analysis is an important part of the brain fog test. The stool test reveals critical information about the state of the gut microbiome, which is also critical to assessing brain fog.
A candida test assesses the presence of Candida species microorganisms in the individual's biological sample. Candida can cause infections in the body's blood and core organs, including the brain.
The gut microbiome consists of up to 100 trillion microorganisms. In cases where there are issues with the gut, there may be an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. This overgrowth is measured with a small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) test.
This test is usually done on the blood, and it allows for the detection of hormones like testosterone, estrogen, thyroid hormones, and adrenal hormones. Hormonal imbalance is one of the most prevalent causes of brain fog, justifying the conduction of hormone tests in brain fog tests.
A thyroid test measures thyroid stimulating hormone, T4, T3, and thyroid antibodies. The thyroid gland is essential to control the body’s metabolism, and heavily influences brain development and function throughout life. Hypothyroidism is also one of the identified causes of brain fog.
This test assesses the levels of different vitamins and minerals in the body. This test offers valuable information about the diet of the individual and may reflect the state of the gut and other organs in the body.
While the symptoms of brain fog can become severe, brain fog itself can be properly managed and effectively resolved in most cases. Below are a few tips to improve brain fog.
Brain fog is itself not a medical condition, but often a sign that there are underlying medical conditions. Therefore, the most effective way to improve brain fog is to actually address the condition causing the brain fog symptoms. There may not be immediate improvements, but the brain fog eventually resolves.
Many of the symptoms of brain fog exist because of high stress levels. If you take a brain fog test, you may be asked to take a saliva cortisol test too to assess the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. While some conditions that cause brain fog may not be resolved by rest, a long break from the source of your stressors can do a lot of good in resolving brain fog symptoms.
The supplement market is ever-expanding, and marketers seem to have a supplement for every condition nowadays. However, the FDA does not regulate supplements the same way it does medications, leading to a large amount of supplements that don’t even work for what they are advertised.
Nonetheless, some supplements can help manage brain fog symptoms. These supplements usually contain important constituent minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients that positively impact the brain. An example of an excellent antioxidant for this purpose is glutathione, which studies reveal is important in managing neurological conditions.4
Another essential nutrient is glutamine, which supports the gut microbiome and modulates inflammatory responses, ensuring the gut is in good health. Vitamin C also helps increase energy in the body, countering the fatigue that may arise with brain fog.
With the right supplements, you can also influence hormone levels and help the body remove toxins. Remember, the ingredients determine the function of the supplement. However, as useful as supplements can be, ensure you speak to your healthcare provider before using them.
Brain Trust by Dr. Lam® contains choline and a proprietary blend of nutrients, including L-glutamine. Choline is one of the most important supplements for improving brain function and processes. In addition to accelerating the synthesis and release of neurotransmitters involved in memory storage, choline also assists in detoxification. The presence of glutamine and other essential nutrients that help the gut in Brain Trust offers multiple ways of improving brain fog symptoms.
Brain fog is a cognitive dysfunction characterized by memory and concentration issues. A brain fog test helps detect brain fog. Healthcare providers may conduct clinical tests to confirm brain fog by assessing various markers. As it’s not a medical condition itself but an indicator of underlying conditions, any management strategy should target first the underlying condition. Supplements that help the brain are definitely useful, but ensure you only use these supplements after talking to your healthcare provider.
Are you tired of facing memory and concentration issues? Do you feel as if your brain is constantly trapped in a cloud? Give us a call at +1 (626) 571-1234. We offer a consultation to discuss your symptoms, how you can test for brain fog, and possible management options.
Improve your brain health!
Aoyama, K. "Glutathione in the Brain." International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 22, no. 9, 9 May 2021, p. 5010. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22095010.
Debowska, Agata, et al. "Brain Fog Scale (BFS): Scale Development and Validation." Personality and Individual Differences, vol. 216, 2024, p. 112427. ISSN 0191-8869, www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/9/5010.
Liu, Longsha, Jun R. Huh, and Khalid Shah. "Microbiota and the Gut-Brain-Axis: Implications for New Therapeutic Design in the CNS." March 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103908.
Sapra, A., and P. Bhandari. "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." StatPearls [Internet], updated 21 June 2023, StatPearls Publishing, Jan. 2024, Treasure Island, FL. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557676/.
No, clinical tests are much more useful for detecting brain fog than self-reported tests. This is because self-assessment brain fog tests are often influenced by personal biases and even wrong answers. A clinical test monitors markers that can indicate brain fog, and when interpreted by a professional, offers a more objective and accurate assessment.
