Heavy drinking reduces the brain’s use of glucose for fuel because alcohol can become the preferred fuel source. You probably don’t feel mentally prepared for much beyond Netflix, but you can begin to banish brain fog by encouraging those synapses to fire. Download an easy word puzzle app or go old-school with a book of crosswords or Sudoku. By the end of the day, you’ll be confident enough to switch from pencil to pen. While you’ll be back to your sharp self shortly, taking these steps to alleviate brain fog can reduce your symptoms and help you get back up to speed.
Suppose you are struggling to manage your stress levels and alcohol consumption. It is also important to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains since these foods are packed with nutrients that are essential for mental health. While alcohol fog is not a life-threatening condition, it can be a sign of an underlying health problem that will definitely benefit from early diagnosis and early recovery. Liver damage can lead to a build-up of toxins in the blood, which can cause a range of symptoms, including brain fog. This is because alcohol can interfere with the absorption of nutrients and lead to poor dietary habits.
Sometimes, brain fog is less related to slow brain function and due more to overactive brain activity, such as over-analyzing a simple situation or obsessing about a problem. One way to let go of nit-picking or ruminating thoughts is to channel your energy into a creative activity, like drawing, needlepoint or cooking. Untreated alcohol misuse can alcohol withdrawal brain fog lead to a number of severe health problems, including brain damage and cognitive impairment. This is due to the fact that chronic stress can lead to adrenal exhaustion, which causes cognitive dysfunction symptoms such as forgetfulness, lack of attention, and irritability. Exercise is also a great way to help improve your overall brain health.
When we stop drinking, we deprive our brain of a major energy source it had become accustomed to. This explains the exhaustion we may feel when we first quit drinking. While you might not feel up for your typical Sunday morning spin class, a walk around the block helps when you have a hangover.
Most recently he was at Evolent Health, where he teamed with providers to enable their transition in value-based care. Sophia is a passionate health care leader with an expertise in senior care operations. She was at the helm of AltaMed’s ADHC and PACE growth and expansion for over 18 years.
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Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
In fact, a 2021 study found that 7 percent of people with long-haul COVID-19 reported brain fog. Dr. Anand stresses the importance of drinking in moderation, if at all. If you drink for long periods of time, it can cause depression, and when you abruptly stop drinking, it can cause anxiety,” says Dr. Anand. But as you drink more — and you don’t need to drink that much more — eventually, the enzymes that break down the alcohol get saturated. So, the alcohol builds up quite quickly,” explains addiction psychiatrist Akhil Anand, MD. Cut yourself off from caffeine by six hours before bedtime, and drink plenty of water and other hydrating beverages.
In fact, one study found that hangovers have a negative effect on cognitive functions, including visual, memory, and intellectual processes. Another study noted that people are generally less alert when they’re hungover. Most people who have dealt with alcohol addiction have some idea of what brain fog feels like because it is very similar to how you might feel after a round of heavy drinking. During brain fog, you may experience any or all of the following symptoms. Imagine being in a room filled with fog, where everything seems blurry, and you struggle to navigate your way. That’s what brain fog feels like; a state of confusion, lack of focus, and mental obscurity.
