Why You Can’t Think Straight: The Real Reasons Behind Brain Fog
Ever walk into a room and completely forget why you’re there? Or reread the same sentence five times because your brain just… won’t?
I remember during the middle of my own health challenges, I had so many of these moments that I genuinely started to wonder if I was just… stupid. I’d be in the middle of something simple—like playing volleyball, a sport I’d played my whole life—and completely blank out.
Where am I supposed to stand again? What’s the next rotation? It was like my brain had checked out—and I couldn’t figure out why.
If you’ve felt this way too, you’re not alone.
Eventually, I realized I wasn’t stupid (thank the Lord). And this frustrating mental haze—aka brain fog—wasn’t just from being tired or having too much on my plate.
It was my body waving a giant red flag.
What Is Brain Fog, Really?
Brain fog can look like trouble focusing, memory slips, slow thinking, or feeling spaced out—even in the middle of conversations or tasks that used to feel easy.
And here’s the important part:
It’s not just in your head. You’re not lazy, scatterbrained, or “just getting older.”
Brain fog is a symptom. And more often than not, it’s your body asking for help.
Why Brain Fog Happens (and Why It’s Not Just About Sleep)
There are a few common root causes behind brain fog—but two of the biggest (and most overlooked) are digestion and blood sugar.
Let’s break it down:
1. Poor Digestion = Brain Drain
Your gut and brain are besties. When one’s off, the other feels it.
If your digestion is sluggish, inflamed, or constantly dealing with gas, bloating, constipation, or mystery food reactions—your brain is going to suffer too.
That’s because your gut:
Communicates directly with your brain through the gut-brain axis
Helps regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine (yep, the brain chemicals that help you focus and feel good)
Acts as your body’s first line of defense against inflammation—which can cloud your brain like a foggy window
If your gut is irritated or inflamed, your brain knows. And instead of feeling sharp and clear, you feel fuzzy and disconnected.
In fact, a 2024 study found that over half of patients struggling with digestive issues also experienced brain fog (Halabi et al., 2024).
Brain fog is often a sign your digestive system needs some love.
2. Blood Sugar Swings = Brain Rollercoaster
Ever feel sharp and clear one minute, and totally spaced out the next?
That’s often your blood sugar talking.
When your meals are imbalanced—too little protein, too many refined carbs, skipping meals, or relying on caffeine to get through the day—your blood sugar goes on a rollercoaster. And your brain rides every twist and turn.
You might notice:
Mid-morning or afternoon crashes
Headaches or shakiness when you wait too long to eat
Feeling “hangry” or foggy until you get something sweet or caffeinated
Here’s the deal:
Blood glucose is your brain’s primary source of energy.
But too much—or big swings—can leave your brain in survival mode. When your brain doesn’t have steady fuel, it struggles to keep up. Cue: fog.
What You Can Do About It
Here are a few foundational shifts that can make a huge difference in clearing the fog:
✅ Balance your meals
Every meal should include a mix of protein, healthy fat, and fiber-rich carbs. This helps keep your blood sugar stable and your brain fueled.
✅ Eat consistently
Skipping meals or going too long without food = brain fog’s best friend. Try not to go more than 4–5 hours without real food.
✅ Support your digestion
Slow down. Chew your food. Avoid eating when super stressed. If you’re dealing with ongoing bloating or other digestive drama, don’t ignore it—it matters more than you think.
✅ Stay hydrated
Even mild dehydration can cloud your thinking. Aim to drink water throughout the day—not just when you feel thirsty.
✅ Ditch the “just push through” mindset
Your body is sending you clues. Don’t brush off brain fog as something to power through. It’s a sign worth listening to.
Final Thoughts
If your brain constantly feels like it’s on airplane mode, it’s time to zoom out and look at what’s going on beneath the surface.
Brain fog doesn’t just go away on its own. It’s a signal—one that deserves attention—so you can give your best to the things that matter most.
The good news?
When you support your digestion and balance your energy, your mental clarity comes back online.
Your brain isn’t broken. Your body just needs a little backup.
Want help figuring out what’s behind your brain fog? I offer free discovery calls to help you get to the root of what’s really going on.
We’ll talk through your current health challenges, your goals, and what might be contributing to your brain fog. You’ll leave with clarity and a personalized next step—no pressure, just support.
👉 [Yes, I’m ready to ditch the brain fog!]
References
Halabi, M., Arwani, R., Parkman, H., & Rao, S. (2024). Brain Fog in Gastrointestinal Disorders: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, Gastroparesis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome.. Journal of clinical gastroenterology. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0000000000002094.
