7 Best Nootropics For Brain Fog

Understanding the connection between brain fog and metabolism is absolutely crucial.

A hyperglycemic state induces oxidative stress on the body which is associated with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, psychomotor slowing and reduced mental flexibility.¹³María Muriach, Miguel Flores-Bellver, Francisco J. Romero, and Jorge M. Barcia, Diabetes and the Brain: Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Autophagy, Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2014

The early stages of cognitive impairment can be manifested as clouding of consciousness, otherwise known as brain fog.¹⁴Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2016, Impact of diabetes on cognitive function and brain structure, A Moheet, S Mangia, and ER Seaquist¹⁵Seth Stoykovich , Kelly Gibas, APOE ε4, the door to insulin-resistant dyslipidemia and brain fog? A case study, Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2019

Blood Sugar Breakthrough is an effective formulation for managing blood glucose levels as it includes ingredients that reduce glucose-associated oxidative stress on the body.

This is especially important for neural cells, blood vessels and endocrine islets.

• Breaking through brain fog is one of the top features of Qualia Mind's comprehensive formula.
• The included 28 ingredients, including nootropic compounds, neuro-vitamins, amino acids, choline donors, and herbal adaptogens, give your brain a jolt and increase mental clarity.
• You can even choose between a caffeinated or decaffeinated version.
• This stack is great for more experienced biohackers or anyone who needs a significant boost in brainpower.

Chaga mushroom is highly recommended as a natural remedy to brain fog.¹⁶Honghai Hu Zhenya Zhang Zhongfang Lei Yingnan Yang Norio Sugiura, Comparative study of antioxidant activity and antiproliferative effect of hot water and ethanol extracts from the mushroom Inonotus obliquus, Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering. 2009

 This therapeutic mushroom has been found to be beneficial for optimizing the mind-body connection, by stabilizing innate immunity, which when left unchecked lead to the physical inflammation that causes brain fog..¹⁷Yoo Kyoung Park , Hyang Burm Lee, Eun-Jae Jeon, Hack Sung Jung, Myung-Hee Kang, Chaga mushroom extract inhibits oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes as assessed by comet assay, Biofactors. 2004

Chaga also supports mental health by improving blood sugar metabolism.¹⁸Zhiguo Li, Junjie Mei, Liping Jiang, Chengyan Geng , Qiujuan Li, Xiaofeng Yao , Jun Cao , Chaga Medicinal Mushroom, Inonotus obliquus (Agaricomycetes) Polysaccharides Suppress Tacrine-induced Apoptosis by ROS-scavenging and Mitochondrial Pathway in HepG2 Cells, Int J Med Mushrooms. 2019

 Improving your metabolism can help lower oxidative stress that causes cognitive impairment, psychomotor slackening and reduced mental flexibility.¹⁹You-Min Ying , Lin-Yan Zhang , Xia Zhang , Hai-Bo Bai , Dong-E Liang , Lie-Feng Ma , Wei-Guang Shan , Zha-Jun Zhan, Terpenoids with alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity from the submerged culture of Inonotus obliquus, Phytochemistry. 2014

By boosting immunity and blood glucose metabolism, Chaga acts as a potent combatant against brain fog.²⁰You-Min Ying , Lin-Yan Zhang , Xia Zhang , Hai-Bo Bai , Dong-E Liang , Lie-Feng Ma , Wei-Guang Shan , Zha-Jun Zhan, Terpenoids with alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity from the submerged culture of Inonotus obliquus, Phytochemistry. 2014

Freshcap Mushrooms provide the highest percentage of beta glucans and fruiting body nutrients, making this mushroom product my preferred choice for Chaga.

Lion's Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) is a therapeutic mushroom which has been found to benefit all primary components of your central nervous system including the brain, nerve cells and also the immune system.²¹Vikineswary Sabaratnam , Wong Kah-Hui , Murali Naidu , Pamela Rosie David, Neuronal health - can culinary and medicinal mushrooms help?, J Tradit Complement Med. 2013

This mushroom also prevents nerve cell impairment and stimulates production of enzymes that release Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).²²Pit Shan Chong , Man-Lung Fung , Kah Hui Wong, Lee Wei Lim, Therapeutic Potential of Hericium erinaceus for Depressive Disorder, Int J Mol Sci. 2019

This growth factor helps with neuronal regeneration and hence, memory retention.

Addition of this medicinal mushroom into your routine diet will not only help you to restore and recall old memories but it will also help you to promote mental alertness, improve focus, and eliminate brain fog.²³Kah-Hui Wong , Gowri Kanagasabapathy , Murali Naidu , Pamela David , Vikineswary Sabaratnam, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers., a medicinal mushroom, activates peripheral nerve regeneration, Chin J Integr Med. 2016

Freshcap Mushrooms provide the highest percentage of beta glucans and fruiting body nutrients, making this mushroom product my preferred choice for Lion's Mane.

Adrafinil is a prodrug for the legendary smart drug modafinil. What this means is that your body naturally turns adrafinil into modafinil, and you do not need a prescription to buy it.

When adrafinil metabolizes into modafinil in your body and starts to kick in, it has a mildly stimulating effect.

Although researchers are not totally sure how it works yet, we do know that it modulates several brain systems, such as dopamine, GABA, and histamines, to achieve its effects.

It was developed initially as an anti-narcolepsy drug and can keep you focused and engaged under adverse conditions. Militaries around the world use this drug during extended, stressful operations.

We think that adrafinil is one of the best bets for improving mental clarity, especially if your brain fog is due to lack of sleep, overwork, and stress. Although it’s not a long term substitute for getting proper rest, it can help you stay sharp short term during crunch time.

Many users report improved mood, more energy, and better ability to concentrate, even in less-than-ideal conditions. And there is significant clinical evidence it can improve performance while fatigued.²⁴Ping Sheng, et al. Efficacy of Modafinil on Fatigue and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Associated with Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, PLoS One. 2013

L-theanine is an amino acid that comes from tea leaves. It’s largely responsible for tea’s relaxed-but-focused energy. And, you can buy it on its own as a supplement.

It stacks extremely well with caffeine, and this combo is one of the classic nootropic stacks for fighting brain fog.

There are clinical studies that show this nootropic can improve focus and concentration, as well as reduce stress.

It seems to work by promoting GABA production, which is considered a “calming” neurotransmitter.

It does this without causing sleepiness or grogginess, which you do not want if you are already suffering from brain fog.²⁵Anna C Nobre, eta al. L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state, Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008 ²⁶Kenta Kimura, et al. l-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses, Biological Psychology, 2007 L-theanine and caffeine together are some of the go-to’s for cutting through mental fatigue.

This nootropic is a concentrated form of the nutrient choline, and it has proven benefits for brain fog.

Choline is the precursor to acetylcholine (ACh), which is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain.

By increasing ACh levels, you can improve the speed that your nervous system communicates.

This process can have big benefits for your mental performance. In both human and animal trials, the subjects that took Alpha GPC scored better on cognitive tests.²⁷Schettini G, et al. Molecular mechanisms mediating the effects of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, a new cognition-enhancing drug, on behavioral and biochemical parameters in young and aged rats, Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1992 ²⁸Parnetti L1, Amenta F, Gallai V. Choline alphoscerate in cognitive decline and in acute cerebrovascular disease: an analysis of published clinical data, Mech Ageing Dev. 2001 ²⁹Canal N, et al. Effect of L-alpha-glyceryl-phosphorylcholine on amnesia caused by scopolamine, Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1991

It also has virtually zero side-effects and is not a stimulant. If you are having trouble with memory or fuzzy thinking, Alpha GPC could help get you back in the game.

Huperzine A is an all-natural herbal remedy for brain fog that works similarly to Alpha GPC.

It inhibits acetylcholinesterase, which is the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine.

So, it indirectly increases ACh levels in the brain, which can improve overall cognition.

This process can help clear up your brain, as well as improve your memory.

Many people report a boost in energy after taking this nootropic, but without the crash associated with stimulants.³⁰Sun Quing-qui, et al. Huperzine-A capsules enhance memory and learning performance in 34 pairs of matched adolescent students, Acta Pharma Sun. 1999 ³¹Wang BS, et al. Efficacy and safety of natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitor huperzine A in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: an updated meta-analysis, J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2009

Ginkgo Biloba is one of the most popular all-natural nootropics out there.

In use for millennia in some cultures, there is clinical evidence that it is effective for improving cognition. ³²R. B. Silberstein, et al. Examining Brain-Cognition Effects of Ginkgo Biloba Extract: Brain Activation in the Left Temporal and Left Prefrontal Cortex in an Object Working Memory Task, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011

Ginkgo can improve blood flow, increase oxygen levels in the blood, and fight inflammation.

All of these benefits can have a rejuvenating effect if you are suffering from brain fog.

It can also prevent the breakdown of dopamine, which can improve mood and motivation.³³Wu WR, Zhu XZ. Involvement of monoamine oxidase inhibition in neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against MPTP-induced nigrostriatal dopaminergic toxicity in C57 mice, Life Sci. 1999

All-in-all, ginkgo biloba is one of the best natural remedies if you are trying to cut through the “noise” in your head and focus on the task at hand.