Brain Fog Gains Attention as Scientists Study Its Causes

Key Developments:

• Brain fog can have several underlying causes
• New research examines cognition and fatigue in Long COVID
• Experts urge evaluation of persistent symptoms

(GazetaExpress) — September 25, 2026: Brain fog, often described as forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and mental fatigue, is increasingly receiving attention from researchers and health professionals. Although it is not a diagnosis itself, experts say persistent cognitive symptoms can sometimes point to underlying health, sleep or nutritional problems.

The condition can involve difficulty remembering words, names or places, maintaining concentration and completing everyday tasks. Research has also suggested that subjective brain fog does not always correspond to major measurable changes in cognitive performance.

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A study involving menopausal women, cited in the source material, found little difference in cognitive test scores between women who reported mental fog and those who did not. Researchers suggested that stress, daily habits and other factors may contribute to how cognitive symptoms are experienced.

Neuroscientist Sabina Brennan, author of Beating Brain Fog, distinguishes persistent brain fog from temporary tiredness.

“It is persistent, occurs regularly, and can affect your quality of life, personal relationships, and work,” she says.

Brennan also advises that persistent symptoms should not automatically be attributed to stress or fatigue.

Brain fog is a collection of symptoms that affect your cognitive function. CREDIT: Cleveland Clinic.

“I see mental fog as a signal that something is wrong and that action needs to be taken,” she explains.

Among the possible causes are sleep disorders, respiratory conditions, inflammatory diseases and nutritional deficiencies. Problems such as sleep apnea can interfere with sleep quality, while conditions affecting oxygen levels may also contribute to concentration and alertness difficulties.

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Iron deficiency is another factor experts highlight, particularly among women. The source material cites research in women of reproductive age in which improving iron stores was associated with better cognitive functioning and fewer symptoms linked to mental fog. However, experts caution that iron supplements should be taken when a deficiency or medical need has been established.

Vitamin B12 deficiency may similarly affect memory and concentration. People following vegan or vegetarian diets can face a higher risk if they do not obtain adequate B12 from fortified foods or appropriate supplementation. Evidence cited in the source suggests supplementation is most likely to help people with an established deficiency rather than those with adequate levels.

Creatine has also attracted interest because the brain uses the compound as an energy source. A 2024 meta-analysis cited in the report found associations between creatine supplementation and improvements in memory, attention and information-processing speed. However, the available evidence does not establish creatine as a treatment for brain fog, and the source specifically cautions against interpreting high-dose experimental findings as a treatment recommendation.

More recent research published on 24 September 2026 is examining the relationship between brain fog, fatigue, attention and memory in people with Long COVID. The Brain Communications study analysed a community cohort of 24,095 people and sought to determine whether cognitive difficulties were primarily linked to neurological dysfunction or could partly reflect fatigue-related factors.

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Long COVID remains an important area of brain-fog research. A 2026 systematic review of 47 studies involving more than 25,000 patients estimated a pooled brain-fog prevalence of 30 percent among people with Long COVID, although prevalence varied across groups and study settings.

CREDIT: ynetGlobal.

Menopause is another area of growing research interest. A large study of 14,234 women aged 45 to 55 found that cognitive symptoms were more commonly reported during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal stages, while objective differences in cognitive performance between groups were comparatively small.

Lifestyle factors may also influence symptoms. Experts cited in the source recommend maintaining a regular sleep schedule, reducing exposure to bright screens before bedtime, getting natural morning light and keeping the sleeping environment dark and cool.

Physical activity may also support cognitive functioning. The source cites research suggesting that even relatively infrequent physical activity may be associated with cognitive benefits, while regular movement and exposure to natural light can contribute to better sleep and daytime alertness.

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Caffeine can provide a temporary increase in alertness, but excessive consumption or drinking coffee late in the day may disrupt sleep and contribute to a cycle of fatigue and further caffeine use.

A picture shows a medical bed and a vital signs monitor for hospital patients. CREDIT: ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images.

Overall, experts stress that brain fog has no single cause and should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of brain damage. Persistent or worsening symptoms may warrant medical assessment to identify potentially treatable causes, including sleep disorders, nutritional deficiencies, respiratory problems or other health conditions.

The key message is that understanding why brain fog is occurring is more important than simply trying supplements or making random lifestyle changes.

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