‘Brain fog’ has become a buzzword in recent times - a vague, colloquial term for when you feel scatter-brained and mentally impaired. It is used to subjectively describe mental states that lack clarity and sharpness.

The term crops up a lot in the medical research literature where it’s used to capture the experiences of cognitive difficulties described by various patient groups, from people with chronic fatigue syndrome to patients undergoing chemotherapy (for whom it’s sometimes dubbed ‘chemobrain’) to women transitioning through menopause.

Recently, as you have likely heard, COVID-19 has also been maligned with brain fog, including in the context of long COVID after the initial infection has actually passed.

So if you've ever felt muggy headed, as if you can't concentrate of focus – perhaps you've been forgetful and accident-prone too – it is likely you've experienced what is referred to as brain fog.

A number of factors and health conditions can cause brain fog, including:

- Lack of sleep

- Increased stress levels

- Viral infections, such as COVID-19

- Medication

- Hormonal conditions

- Perimenopause

- Chronic health conditions

- Nutrient deficiencies

The list however, is theoretically long. Anything that impairs healthy brain function has the potential to impact cognition, likely causing the foggy brain sensation. Numerous health conditions and lifestyle factors may therefore be implicated in the symptoms associated with brain fog. It is not unusual for brain fog to be caused by a combination of two or three of these factors since they often go hand in hand. 

For instance, depression can lead to a lack of sleep or vice versa. Similarly, stress can affect your sleep and cause depression. Perimenopause may be accompanied by lack of sleep and depression.

If you have brain fog, you may have difficulty with cognitive functions, such as:

- Focusing on a thought or idea

- Recalling things

- Multitasking

- Following conversations

- Paying attention to your surroundings

Brain fog can also cause symptoms like headaches and mental exhaustion.

What is Neuroinflammation and how is it involved?

Inflammatory processes influence most neurological disorders, even those for which the primary cause is not inflammatory. After an acute neurological incident, whether traumatic or non-traumatic, markers of inflammation increase in the brain and systemically within minutes; a cascade of immune events follows. This process can be harmful but can also promote repair. Brain fog, fatigue, and depression happen in an inflammatory state because the inflammation slows down conduction between neurons. As a result, the brain slows down and tires more easily when doing things like reading, working, concentrating, or driving for any length.

COVID-19 can cause inflammation in the brain, which can affect the ability of neurons in the brain to communicate with each other, resulting in brain fog. Additionally, the presence of inflammation in the brain can help COVID-19 persist and spread.

How can it be treated?

As mentioned, brain fog may be the product of health conditions and in this case treating the condition is likely the best mode of alleviating the symptoms. However, as brain fog is associated with inflammation, lifestyle interventions that address this may be one of the most productive avenues for treatment.

These are some steps you can take to reduce brain fog:

• Get enough sleep: Sleep is important for your brain and body to clear out unhealthy toxins that can contribute to brain fog. Try to follow a fixed sleep schedule and make it a point to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Avoid using electronic devices like your mobile, laptop, or television before you go to sleep.
• Try new things: Keep your mind engaged with mentally stimulating activities and make an effort to try new things. For instance, take a different route to work, try a different approach to a task you do regularly, or listen to different music. This can help increase the production of a brain chemical called norepinephrine, which stimulates the brain.
• Work on your memory: If you’re prone to forgetting things, try using different tricks to improve your memory. 
• Take mental breaks: Make it a point to take a couple of mental breaks during the day.
• Focus your attention: If you get distracted by multiple things or lose focus, try to slow down and focus all your attention on one task. Then, work on completing that task, no matter how small. 
• Stay socially active: Participating in social activities can improve your mood, memory, and cognition.
• Engage in deep thought: Exercise your mind by spending a little time engaged in deep thought each day. For instance, if you have read an article, spend 10 minutes thinking about the article's contents.
• Try meditation: Meditation can help reduce stress and relax your brain and body.
• Exercise regularly: Staying physically active can improve your mental health.
• Follow a healthy diet: A healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can help with memory, cognition, and brain health. 
• Regulate alcohol consumption: Excessive drinking can impair your senses and adversely affect your brain.

Where does Ārepa fit in?

Ārepa and its active ingredients show efficacy in reducing inflammation, the root cause of brain fog, and also in alleviating the associated symptoms. Both the blackcurrants and the pine bark present in Ārepa products have shown potent anti-inflammatory properties in a multitude of clinical trials. A reduction in neuroinflammation, may restore neuronal function and communication, facilitating a rebound in cognitive function.

At the same time, the increased mental clarity and cognitive performance associated with the consumption of L-theanine would be highly beneficial for those struggling with the cognitive deficits associated with brain fog.