Brain fog and mental sluggishness

[wormholejoys]

This topic is not necessarily related to sleep and/or lucid dreaming (although in some ways it may possibly be connected). I would like to know if anyone here knows some techniques to prevent slow thinking while awake. I would also like to know if anyone on this forum has experienced the phenomenon that I often experience. It often feels like my cognitive abilities, mental processing speed, and even intelligence fluctuate on a daily basis. On some days I process information very quickly, and am able to solve complex problems very efficiently with almost no effort. On other days, my thoughts seem to slow greatly and my brain is in a fog. This phenomenon has no correlation with the amount of sleep that I get on the previous day, or any other noticeable life circumstances; it is apparently random. The only cure that I have found for it is to consume copious amounts of caffeine. Is there any way to prevent this "brain fog" phenomenon and does anyone have an idea as to what may be the underlying cause, because I cannot determine it. I do not have sleep apnea, do not drink alcohol or consume any drugs.

[Aristaeus]

Definitely can relate to this. All year last year, and some of the year before, I was dealing with a SERIOUS case of brain fog that not only blocked mine writing, but also put a black mark in mine academic life--which I value more than mine personal life. Mine brain just wouldn't process anything. When I tried to read, I could see the words, but couldn't understand them. When I played games, I could see and hear everything, but like a pinched water hose, mine thoughts couldn't reach mine senses. It was starting to drive me mad. After doing extensive research, I found out that the brain fog was caused by extremely low levels of histamine, due to a chemical imbalance. Ever since, I've simply counteracted it by eating foods rich in histamine, namely pineapples. [Shrugs] Can't go overboard, though, since that will also cause unpleasant symptoms.

[patco]

Yes, good one! I do agree with you!

[snoop]

Regular exercise can help regulate this quite a bit, if you don't already. After doing extensive research, I found out that the brain fog was caused by extremely low levels of histamine, due to a chemical imbalance. Ever since, I've simply counteracted it by eating foods rich in histamine, namely pineapples. [Shrugs] Can't go overboard, though, since that will also cause unpleasant symptoms. Just so you know, histamine doesn't readily cross the blood-brain barrier. Nor does serotonin for that matter, since I see people saying they eat a lot of food with serotonin in it to try and help with dreaming. Ingesting these neurotransmitters orally does not increase levels of them in the brain. They have other actions throughout the body peripherally, with serotonin mostly affecting the gut (it's why eating a lot of fruit can give you diarrhea).

[Aristaeus]

^This compelled me to do further research. It seems mine brain fog was not caused by low histamine, but high sugar. To test this theory, I ate a bowl of ice cream--and sure enough, the mist came. Since the low histamine did cause bodily problems, I assumed it was also responsible for brain problems. Alas, I was incorrect. [Shrugs] Guess I'll just have to stop buying chocolate bars.

[snoop]

^This compelled me to do further research. It seems mine brain fog was not caused by low histamine, but high sugar. To test this theory, I ate a bowl of ice cream--and sure enough, the mist came. Since the low histamine did cause bodily problems, I assumed it was also responsible for brain problems. Alas, I was incorrect. [Shrugs] Guess I'll just have to stop buying chocolate bars. This might not be a big deal, but the fact yours is specifically related to sugar set off a red flag in my mind. Is your mental fog/sluggishness accompanied by any kinds of vision problems or anything (something as simple as blurring or difficulty focusing)? Brain fog from fluctuating blood sugar levels is a classic sign of diabetes.

[Aristaeus]

This might not be a big deal, but the fact yours is specifically related to sugar set off a red flag in my mind. Is your mental fog/sluggishness accompanied by any kinds of vision problems or anything (something as simple as blurring or difficulty focusing)? Brain fog from fluctuating blood sugar levels is a classic sign of diabetes. Hmm, that can't be pleasant news. I doubt I have the disease, but it won't hurt to pay a visit to the doctor. [Shrugs] At any rate, I've been able to counter the high blood sugar by binge-eating foods rich in fiber. Thus far, I've noticed a significant improvement; I've been able to concentrate far more easily, mine deduction skills have increased dramatically, and mine chronic fatigue has all but diminished. I dare say, I wish I had figured this all out sooner. [Shrugs] Better late than never, I guess.

[snoop]

Hmm, that can't be pleasant news. I doubt I have the disease, but it won't hurt to pay a visit to the doctor. [Shrugs] At any rate, I've been able to counter the high blood sugar by binge-eating foods rich in fiber. Thus far, I've noticed a significant improvement; I've been able to concentrate far more easily, mine deduction skills have increased dramatically, and mine chronic fatigue has all but diminished. I dare say, I wish I had figured this all out sooner. [Shrugs] Better late than never, I guess. Well, I know that sometimes a change in diet can make all the difference with these things. Again, I didn't mean to scare you or anything--it might be nothing. I just remembered reading your response and then lying down to go to sleep and suddenly I thought about what you said and felt obligated to say something, since diabetes that goes undiagnosed or not properly treated is potentially deadly. Considering it had such big ramifications for your health I did a quick search on google ("diabetes brain fog") to see if I was remembering the symptoms right. After confirming what I remembered, I posted here. I do admit, though, that it was just a cursory midnight search, so I didn't read over the material very thoroughly.