Does Lion's Mane Help with Brain Fog?

Sometimes, you wake up feeling like the fog has descended in your mind. You’re having trouble focusing, remembering things, and thinking through problems. You try to work through it, but nothing seems to help. Then, someone suggests lion’s mane mushroom. But does it really help with brain fog?

This article will explore the science behind the lion’s mane mushroom and its potential uses for helping with brain fog. By the end, you’ll better understand how lion’s mane works and whether or not it could be an effective supplement to help you beat the fog.

Key Takeaways

• Various conditions, including hormonal imbalances, hypothyroidism, inflammatory conditions, food sensitivities or allergies, and depression/anxiety, can cause brain fog.
• Lion’s mane is a mushroom that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and has been shown to have many health benefits, including supporting cognitive function and improving mental clarity.
• Adding lion’s mane to your daily routine is an easy way to help alleviate brain fog and promote mental clarity.
• If you're under medication, you should consult your doctor before supplementing with lion’s mane or other supplements.

What Does Brain Fog Feel Like?

Brain fog is a common phenomenon and is characterized by a feeling of mental confusion or reduced cognitive clarity. Symptoms include:

Trouble Remembering Things Or Recalling Information

When you suffer from brain fog, you may have difficulty remembering information or recalling facts. This can make it hard to focus on tasks and stay organized. This is because your mental energy is scattered, making it hard to concentrate on any one thing for an extended period of time.

Lack Of Clarity And/Or Focus

Brain fog can make it difficult to think clearly, plan, and stay focused. This lack of clarity often makes it hard to complete projects or come up with creative ideas. You may also feel overwhelmed by tasks that usually don’t stress you out.

Inability To Concentrate

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for attention and concentration. When you suffer from brain fog, this part of the brain may be impaired, making it hard to stay focused and concentrate on what you’re doing. You may find yourself easily distracted or having trouble following conversations.

 “Fuzzy” Thinking

Brain fog can make it hard to think logically or process complex information. It can feel like your thoughts are “fuzzy” and muddled, making it hard to make decisions or think through problems.

Slower Reaction Times

During reaction time, your brain needs to process sensory information and make a response. With brain fog, this processing can be slowed down or impaired, making it hard to respond in a timely manner. This can be especially frustrating when you need to think quickly or make decisions swiftly.

Difficulty Making Decisions

The Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) and hippocampus are the two most important brain regions for decision-making. With brain fog, these regions may be impaired, making it hard to make decisions or weigh the pros and cons of different options.

Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushrooms for Brain Fog 

Just like other functional mushrooms for improving brain function, lion’s mane mushrooms contain powerful bioactive compounds that are thought to improve cognitive performance. It offers a plethora of benefits for the brain, including:

May Boost Neuroplasticity

The bioactive compounds in lion’s mane mushrooms are believed to promote neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to rewire itself and form new connections. This may help improve cognitive performance, memory formation, and information recall.

Lion’s Mane to Improve Focus 

Lion’s mane mushrooms are known for their ability to improve focus and concentration. The bioactive compounds in the mushroom, such as hericenones and erinacines, may help promote the formation of new neuronal pathways. This helps improve focus and concentration, as well as overall cognitive performance.

Lion’s Mane for Memory

Lion's mane for brain fog is also believed to improve memory formation and information recall. The compounds in the mushroom are thought to promote the creation of new neurons and neuronal pathways in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory formation. 

This may help improve overall cognitive performance and reduce brain fog. This is why people using mushrooms for creativity and focus often use lion's mane as an addition to their supplement stack.

Using lion's mane can supercharge your cognitive abilities and help reduce brain fog. 

Lion's Mane for Mental Clarity

As one of nature's limitless pills, lion's mane may also help to reduce brain fog and promote mental clarity. The compounds in the mushroom are believed to stimulate the formation of new neurons, which helps improve communication between neurons and thus enhance mental clarity.

Mental clarity is essential for several cognitive processes, such as decision-making and problem-solving. It is also important for creative tasks that require thinking outside of the box.

What Causes Brain Fog?

Understanding how to overcome brain fog starts with knowing what causes it. Some of the most common causes include:

Vitamin Deficiencies

According to a 2021 research review, vitamin B12 is responsible for efficient and healthy brain function. Deficiencies in this vitamin can lead to cognitive decline, including difficulty concentrating and increased brain fog.

Ensure you eat foods rich in vitamins, including fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts. You can also supplement with a B-complex to ensure you are getting the recommended amount of vitamin B12.

Too Much Or Too Little Sleep

Sleep deprivation is one of the most common causes of brain fog. When we don’t get enough sleep, our brains become exhausted, and it becomes difficult to concentrate or remember information.

Oversleeping can also cause brain fog, as it can disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm and lead to fatigue.

According to this 2021 study, ensure you get at least 8-9 hours of sleep each night and limit caffeine intake late in the day to ensure you are getting enough restful sleep.

Medication Side Effects

Research shows that some medications may lead to brain fog, as they can affect the brain’s ability to process information. Medications such as anticholinergics, antidepressants, and antihistamines are known for causing cognitive decline.

Cancer treatments have also been shown to cause brain fog in some patients. This is referred to as Chemo Brain.

You should speak with your doctor about any medications you are taking that might be causing brain fog and look for alternative treatments. Also, consider asking the doctor if lion's mane is an appropriate supplement to help reduce brain fog if you are under medication.

Blood Sugar Imbalances

When your blood sugar levels fluctuate, it affects your energy levels and concentration. This is why people often experience a “sugar crash” after eating sugary snacks or drinks. When blood sugar levels are too low, it can cause brain fog, confusion, and fatigue.

To maintain balanced blood sugar levels, be sure to eat small meals throughout the day and avoid sugary snacks or drinks. Complimenting this with lion's mane may help prevent brain fog and achieve optimal cognitive performance.

Hormonal Changes

Another major cause of brain fog is hormonal changes. It is well established that hormones can have a demonstrable effect on cognitive function and mental clarity. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and melatonin all play an important role in mental clarity and brain function.

According to this 2018 study, progesterone and estrogen increase during pregnancy. As a result, many pregnant women experience brain fog as their hormones fluctuate. 

Similarly, this 2019 study shows that fluctuating hormone levels can also be seen during menopause and perimenopause. It is thought that the drop in estrogen during these times can cause cognitive difficulties such as memory loss, difficulty with focus and concentration, and overall fatigue or brain fog.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, resulting in symptoms including fatigue, decreased metabolism, and mental fogginess. This condition is often seen in people with an autoimmune disorder, such as Hashimoto’s disease.

In these cases, brain fog may be caused by a combination of low hormone production and an immune response that damages the thyroid gland and its hormones.

Consequently, treating hypothyroidism often involves supplementing with thyroid hormones, taking medication to reduce inflammation, and treating the underlying autoimmune disorder.

Inflammatory Conditions

Some inflammatory conditions, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), can be linked to brain fog. In these cases, the inflammation caused by the autoimmune disorder affects the central nervous system (CNS).

This leads to changes in neurotransmitter balance, which can lead to cognitive difficulties such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and mental fogginess. Those who experience brain fog due to an inflammatory condition should talk to their doctor about the best treatment plan, which may include lifestyle changes and medications.

Food Sensitivities or Allergies

Food allergies, food sensitivities, and intolerances have been shown to cause brain fog. Common triggers are gluten and dairy, but other foods like eggs, corn, and soy can also trigger reactions in some people.

Identifying and eliminating these triggers from your diet can help alleviate brain fog. Additionally, talking to a healthcare professional about any food-related health issues you may have before supplementing with lion’s mane or other supplements is important.

Depression and/or Anxiety

According to this 2017 study, stress, anxiety, and depression weaken the immune system and increase blood pressure. This can affect the brain and cause reduced mental clarity, difficulty focusing, memory difficulties, and other cognitive issues.

How to Add Lion’s Mane to Your Daily Routine

Adding lion’s mane to your daily routine is a great way to help address the issues that can cause brain fog. This mushroom has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and is believed to have many health benefits, including supporting cognitive function and improving mental clarity.

At VYU, we know how important it is to stay sharp and focused on ensuring you get the most out of every day. Our TUNE IN powdered drink combines top-shelf lion's mane extract with other natural adaptogens and nootropics such as ashwagandha or bacopa monnieri to help you get into flow state and crush through your to-do’s with maximum focus and productivity.

Find it in 2 delicious natural flavors: Pink Lemonade and Tropical Punch.