Happy & Healthy with Amy

Brain Fog Part 1: Causes You Didn't Know Were Impacting Your Cognition

• Amy Lang • Season 1 • Episode 287

Share episode

Are you finding it harder to focus, constantly forgetting appointments, or struggling to finish your thoughts mid-sentence? You might be experiencing brain fog — and no, it’s not just “getting older.” In this episode, Amy breaks down exactly what brain fog is, why it happens, and what your symptoms might be trying to tell you.

What to Listen For:

  • [00:00:55] What brain fog actually is (hint: it’s not a medical diagnosis)
  • [00:03:10] Three key brain regions affected when you're experiencing brain fog
  • [00:04:00] Common signs like forgetting mid-sentence or rereading text
  • [00:07:55] Four common types of brain fog: post-infection, menopause, stress, ADHD
  • [00:10:30] The surprising impact of caffeine and ultra-processed foods
  • [00:11:45] How estrogen and thyroid changes can disrupt brain function
  • [00:13:30] Long COVID and Lyme-related brain fog: what we know now
  • [00:14:15] Why poor sleep could be clogging your brain’s “power wash” cycle
  • [00:17:15] Nutrient deficiencies linked to cognitive decline
  • [00:18:00] Medications that commonly contribute to brain fog (including Benadryl!)

Persistent brain fog can feel overwhelming and frustrating, but understanding the root causes is your first step toward clarity. Whether it’s hormonal shifts, lifestyle stressors, or medication side effects, there are real, actionable ways to reclaim your mental sharpness. 

Tune in to part one now, and don’t miss part two next week for strategies to clear the fog.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

If you like what you hear, please subscribe to my podcast.  I encourage you to do that today as I don’t want you to miss an episode.  Click here to subscribe on iTunes!

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is.

Thank you!


RESOURCES: