Have you ever felt like your mind is stuck in a haze, struggling to focus or recall simple things? If so, you’re not alone. This experience, often called "brain fog," isn’t a medical diagnosis but a term for a cluster of symptoms like mental fatigue, poor concentration, and memory lapses. Studies suggest that brain fog is surprisingly common—up to 94% of people with depression report cognitive challenges (Srisurapanont et al., 2022), and nearly half of those with Long COVID experience it (Davis et al., 2021). It’s a frustrating reality for many, but understanding its causes can be reassuring, especially since there are treatment options available that can provide relief. At our clinic, Neuregen in Scottsdale, we help many people "clear the fog" with a range of evidence-based solutions. This article is intended to link some common causes of brain fog with examples of the treatments we use to treat these symptoms.
1. Head Injury or Concussion
A knock to the head, even one you brushed off years ago, might be clouding your mind today. Research shows that mild traumatic brain injuries, like concussions, disrupt neural networks, leading to persistent cognitive issues such as brain fog (McInnes et al., 2017). Many people don’t connect a past car accident or sports injury to their current mental sluggishness, but the effects can linger. At Neuregen, our brain optimization and rehabilitation programs use targeted therapies to repair these neural pathways, helping your brain regain clarity.
2. Post-Viral Illness (e.g., COVID or Long COVID)
If you’ve battled a virus like COVID-19, you might still feel its mental aftermath. Long COVID studies reveal that systemic inflammation from the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier, impairing attention and memory—hallmarks of brain fog (Hampshire et al., 2021). This isn’t just “feeling off”; it’s a measurable cognitive hit. Our IV therapies at Neuregen deliver anti-inflammatory nutrients directly to your system, reducing neuroinflammation and supporting recovery, which are often delivered in conjunction with the Stellate Ganglion Block procedure - a procedure that has enjoyed increasing support as a very helpful treatment for Long COVID.
3. Depression
Depression doesn’t just dim your mood—it can fog your mind, too. Research links major depressive disorder to reduced working memory and focus, with inflammation and sleep disturbances amplifying the effect (Rock et al., 2014). Many don’t realize their brain fog ties back to their mental health, but the connection is real. Through integrative psychiatry, Neuregen combines therapy, medication management, and lifestyle support to lift both the emotional and cognitive weight of depression.
4. Poor Sleep
A restless night does more than leave you tired—it starves your brain of the rest it needs to function. Studies confirm that sleep deprivation hampers attention and processing speed, key components affected by brain fog (Lim & Dinges, 2010). Whether it’s stress or an undiagnosed issue like sleep apnea, poor sleep is a common trigger. Our stellate ganglion block (SGB) procedure—a quick injection to calm the nervous system—has been shown to improve sleep quality and reduce mental fatigue, offering a reset for your brain.
5. Stress Overload
Chronic stress isn’t just a mood killer; it rewires your brain. Prolonged stress elevates cortisol, shrinking the hippocampus—a region vital for memory—and leaving you mentally exhausted (Yaribeygi et al., 2017). It’s no wonder you can’t think straight under pressure. At Neuregen, we tackle stress-induced brain fog with a holistic approach, blending IV therapies to lower cortisol with psychotherapy ("talk therapy") and brain optimization techniques (e.g., neurorehabilitation) to stimulate brain 'growth' and rebuild resilience.
A Path Forward
Living with brain fog can feel isolating, but you don’t have to stay stuck. Research backs each of these causes, and at Neuregen in Scottsdale, we’re here to turn that science into solutions. Our IV therapies reduce inflammation and boost energy, stellate ganglion blocks calm an overactive nervous system, integrative psychiatry addresses mental health roots, and brain optimization rehabilitates cognitive function. Together, these treatments offer hope—grounded in evidence—for clearer thinking and a brighter day. You’re not imagining this struggle, and you don’t have to face it alone. Let’s clear the fog together.
References
Davis, H. E., Assaf, G. S., McCorkell, L., Wei, H., Low, R. J., Re’em, Y., ... & Akrami, A. (2021). Characterizing long COVID in an international cohort: 7 months of symptoms and their impact. *EClinicalMedicine, 38*, 101019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101019
Hampshire, A., Trender, W., Chamberlain, S. R., Jolly, A. E., Grant, J. E., Patrick, F., ... & Mehta, M. A. (2021). Cognitive deficits in people who have recovered from COVID-19. *EClinicalMedicine, 39*, 101044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101044
Lim, J., & Dinges, D. F. (2010). A meta-analysis of the impact of short-term sleep deprivation on cognitive variables. *Psychological Bulletin, 136*(3), 375–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018883
McInnes, K., Friesen, C. L., MacKenzie, D. E., Westwood, D. A., & Boe, S. G. (2017). Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and chronic cognitive impairment: A scoping review. *PLoS One, 12*(4), e0174847. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0174847
Rock, P. L., Roiser, J. P., Riedel, W. J., & Blackwell, A. D. (2014). Cognitive impairment in depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Psychological Medicine, 44*(10), 2029–2040. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291713002535
Srisurapanont, M., Eurviriyanukul, K., Suttajit, S., & Varnado, P. (2022). Cognitive complaints in major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Journal of Affective Disorders, 300*, 23–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.061
Yaribeygi, H., Panahi, Y., Sahraei, H., Johnston, T. P., & Sahebkar, A. (2017). The impact of stress on body function: A review. *EXCLI Journal, 16*, 1057–1072. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2017-480
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