Best Nootropics For Brain Fog: Our Top 4 Recommendations

April 29, 2020 4 min read

nootropics for brain fog


When thinking about completing everyday chores, going to work, being present to all meetings, exercise, going grocery shopping, tidying the apartment, and writing emails, we often rely on our physical strength and abilities. We often think that our mental strength will just follow. 


Sadly, that's usually not the case. It happens quite often that we feel confused, we feel mental fatigue, we cannot remember the simplest of things, and we have no brainpower. Yes, we suffer from brain fog.


What exactly is brain fog? And how can nootropics for brain fog help? 


What Is Brain Fog?


Considering the negative effects of brain fog on our productivity and performance, it's easy to think that brain fog is a medical condition. However, it is not. 


The term represents a whole of different symptoms that affect the ability to think clearly, to pay attention, focus, and remember things. As the term itself has the word "fog" in its name, you can think of brain fog as a feeling of having a cloudy mind and not being able to move faster and more flexible through your thoughts. 


You can struggle with many things, such as: 

  • Remembering new things 
  • Recalling information (even the information that you otherwise know really well) 
  • Processing speed 
  • Executive functions - the ability to pay attention, to switch focus, planning, organizing, prioritizing 
  • The ability to focus 

Brain fog can be mild, but it can also severely affect your well-being. However, it doesn't have to be a permanent companion in your life.


The Causes Of Brain Fog


There are several explanations of why people suffer from brain fog. As with any kind of symptoms and problems, it is good to find out the cause of the "cloudy" mind.  


Some of the possible causes are:


Stress


Stress is a part of our lives. Whether it is positive or negative, it affects our bodies. 


However, chronic, negative stress can seriously impair our immune system; it affects our mood and can lead to the development of some severe mood disorders. Besides, it increases blood pressure and causes mental exhaustion. [1]


Hormonal changes


Research shows that with some women transitioning through menopause, it is quite common to experience brain fog - from difficulties to recall information, to remembering and new learning. [2


Also, some women have memory issues during pregnancy. Memory issues often occur because of increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. [3


Vitamin deficiency


B12 is known to support optimal brain function. However, there are a lot of more subtle signs that your body lacks vitamin B12. 


This kind of deficiency can result in a lack of energy, tiredness, problems with mood, decision making, memorizing, and recalling information. [4


Sleep issues


We've probably all been there - not sleeping enough and experiencing some serious thinking problems the next day. We were struggling with focus, we couldn't remember things, and we had no brainpower.


Yes, a lack of sleep (or low quality sleep) can be the root cause of brain fog. 


Dehydration


Some clear signs of dehydration besides dry mouth and increased thirsts are mental fatigue and dizziness. 


Yes, being dehydrated may be the cause of having brain fog. Luckily, it's a solvable one. 


Medications


Side effects of some medications can include being brain fogged, exhausted, and  groggy. If you experience any of the mentioned symptoms after taking medications, do consult your doctor.


Medical Conditions


Brain fog can also be a symptom of many different disorders and conditions. 


Here are just a few of them: 

  • Anemia 
  • Mood disorders 
  • Multiple sclerosis 
  • Celiacs disease 
  • Abnormal activity of the thyroid 
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome 
  • Allergies 

Some of the mentioned diseases may begin in your gut, which has a direct influence on your brain performance. [5]


If you believe you have an underlying medical condition, we recommend consulting your doctor. 


Best Supplements For Brain Fog


So, you suffer from brain fog, and you don't know which supplements to take? 


Here are some of the best nootropics to increase your focus, attention, and eliminate brain fog.


Bacopa Monnieri


Bacopa is a herb that is known for centuries and has been used for longevity and cognitive improvements. [6


It affects levels of acetylcholine in the brain, which is essential for improving cognition, memory formation, and brainpower. [7


Since Bacopa also interacts with dopamine and serotonergic systems in a way that it helps to balance those two neurotransmitters, it's also beneficial for some mood disorders - from depression to anxiety. 


It is also an adaptogen, which means it helps combat stress and its adverse effects on our well-being. [8]


Rhodiola Rosea


Rhodiola Rosea is, as well as Bacopa, an adaptogenic herb, which means it's beneficial in dealing with stressful situations. 


It is most known for reducing mental and physical fatigue and boosting cognition. [9This is the combination that can help with brain fog. 


When reducing mental fatigue, there is much more space for learning, creating memories, recalling information, and boosting your overall brain performance. 


Vitamin B12


B Vitamins are crucial for our overall health and well-being as well as for our mental and physical performance. 


People often lack vitamin B12 without really knowing. B12 deficiency may result in mental fatigue, tiredness, physical weakness, memory impairments, and irritability. 


We recommend supplementing vitamin B12 to all people. 


Citicoline


Citicoline has shown promising results in improving our cognitive functioning. It is mainly known for enhancing memory and promoting memory formation. [10


It is a prodrug for choline and cytidine, and because of those two compounds, it is quite effective in promoting learning, memory, and overall cognition. 


It is commonly associated with treating or preventing memory impairments that come with aging. 


Some of the latest research also shows memory improvements in younger adults.  


Our Recommendation


As you can see, brain fog can affect your overall well-being, make you less focused, and unproductive. 


To minimize its effects, we recommend taking high-quality nootropic supplements. The best supplement for brain fog is STAQ Performer, which contains all of the mentioned nootropics in our list. 


Maya Andoljsek

Head Of Nutrition At STAQ Performance

Maja Andoljsek, BSc in Sports Science and Nutrition, has been researching nutrition, supplements, and coaching people for years. As a certified coach and nutritionist, she has helped hundreds of people improve their cognitive performance, physical performance, and overall health.

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