10 Best Natural Supplements for Curing Brain Fog and Mental Fatigue
Are you having difficulty concentrating? Head feels foggy? You’re not alone. We’ve all experienced brain fog and mental cloudiness at some point in our busy lives. Unwanted mental fatigue can hit you in the morning, afternoon, or evening—brain fog doesn’t discriminate on the time or place. Since the limitless pill doesn’t exist as we know it from the movie, you need to find another way to combat lethargy. If the haze kicks in before your final exam or five minutes before the most important business meeting of your life, what do you do? One thing’s for sure; you’d have wished you read this article first.
How to Get Rid of Brain Fog Fast
There are several natural treatments and remedies to eliminate fogginess and boost cognitive function. When you need peak performance, feeling tired is not an option. Getting rid of brain fog and eradicating mental confusion as soon as the symptoms arise is crucial. Science has proven the quick fix and cure for brain fog may be as simple as taking the right supplements to sharpen your mind.
Most of us have heard the concept of using brain supplements and nootropics for cognitive enhancement. Did you know many of the same natural herbs can enhance memory, improve mental clarity, and help clear brain fog quickly? We’ll dive into the supplements and remedies shortly. First, let’s take a quick look at what causes brain fog.
Brain Fog Causes
There are numerous proven causes of brain fog which we will cover in more depth in a later article. Here’s a quick rundown of factors that may be hindering your ability to think clearly.
- Stress, anxiety, or depression
- Lack of sleep or insomnia
- Poor diet and nutrition
- Dehydration
- Lack of physical exercise
- Thyroid problems (Hypothyroidism)
- Gluten sensitivity
- Inflammation or brain swelling
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Allergies
- Alcohol consumption
- Fibromyalgia
It’s quite a diverse list. Some of the brain fog causes above can be cured with natural supplements, while others require additional attention. If there is an underlying condition requiring medical intervention or medication, such as fibromyalgia, you’ll want to consider other remedies or treatments as well.
Below, you’ll find our team’s top 10 list of the best supplements for curing brain fog and mental fatigue. In this post, we will cover: Alpha GPC, Rhodiola Rosea, Phosphatidylserine, Huperzine A, Caffeine, Bacopa Monnieri, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Ginkgo Biloba, Omega-3 Fish Oil, and MCT Oil (Medium-Chain Triglycerides).
Best Supplements for Curing Brain Fog
1. Alpha GPC
Alpha GPC is one of the best brain fog supplements, used for eliminating mental fatigue quickly and reliably. Some would say it’s even more famous for its use as a pre-workout ingredient for bodybuilders and athletes. As the most bioavailable natural choline source on the market, Alpha GPC readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, going to work on acetylcholine synthesis. Acetylcholine is the most prominent neurotransmitter in the brain, directly linked to learning and memory.
Choline supplementation will not only help you improve memory retention, but it will also boost brain function and enhance mental clarity. These benefits make Alpha GPC highly effective in treating and fixing the concentration problems associated with brain fog. Most expert biohackers agree that effective nootropic stacks must contain a high-quality choline supplement like Alpha GPC. Lesser choline sources such as DMAE, CDP-Choline (Citicoline), and Choline Bitartrate (Lecithin) have low bioavailability and are ineffective for boosting brain power.
2. Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a Scandinavian herb touted for reducing both physical and mental fatigue. This nootropic supplement has stimulatory properties similar to caffeine but without the crash or jitters. If you’re consistently plagued by lethargy, fogginess, or poor energy and motivation levels, Rhodiola Rosea may be the brain fog cure for you.
Historically, Rhodiola provided a reliable method to improve longevity (lifespan) and enhance mood and well-being. Now, it’s becoming more widely used as a natural remedy for boosting cognitive function. There have been eight noteworthy studies, all demonstrating similar positive effects on cognition and mental clarity. Rhodiola is well-studied, consistently effective, and comes with almost no adverse side effects when using the proper dosage.
3. Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is another staple nootropic supplement in the arsenal of seasoned biohacking veterans everywhere. If you want to be clear-headed using only natural remedies, this brain supplement is a must-have. PS is known as an essential phospholipid providing structural support to cell membranes throughout the body. It plays a vital role in enhancing cell-to-cell communication while supporting the maintenance and growth of neurons.
As our body and mind face inevitable age-related deterioration, Phosphatidylserine supplementation has proven itself useful in preserving mental acuity. It’s one of the most research-backed natural brain fog supplements. It also improves focus and concentration very consistently. Due to its vast array of mental health benefits, many people use PS as a natural remedy for both fixing brain fog and reducing symptoms of ADHD.
4. Huperzine A
This herbal nootropic is used in traditional Chinese medicine and is well-known for its ability to help clear your mind and improve cognitive function. If you’re feeling tired or lethargic, Huperzine A is one of the best supplements for brain fog. Much like its cholinergic partner Alpha GPC, Huperzine A increases the amount of acetylcholine present in the brain. However, Huperzine cures brain fog and eliminates mental fatigue in a slightly different way. While Alpha GPC directly increases the amount of acetylcholine present in the brain, Huperzine A does so indirectly as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
Acetylcholinesterase performs the duty of breaking down acetylcholine in the brain. By inhibiting its production, Huperzine A subsequently increases the amount of available acetylcholine. This benefit makes Huperzine an excellent natural supplement to take alongside Alpha GPC. In addition to being one of the more reliable brain fog remedies, Huperzine A is also one of the best memory boosting supplements on the market.
5. Caffeine
Perhaps the most widely adopted brain fog cure in the world comes from a coffee mug. More specifically, the coffee beans used to brew your morning cup of joe. Most of us are quite familiar with the mental and physical stimulation achieved from caffeine supplementation. Caffeine is an effective natural nootropic that fixes brain fog quickly and enhances energy levels for several hours. This remedy for treating mental fatigue works by antagonizing adenosine receptors.
Adenosine receptors are responsible for putting your body into a state of sedation and relaxation. When caffeine inhibits the effects of adenosine, it positively influences your neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine) and adrenaline systems. This benefit provides the mental alertness and wakefulness you need, making caffeine one of the best brain fog supplements on the market. In addition to its brain enhancement properties, caffeine also supports healthy weight management, enhances physical stamina, and improves your sense of well-being. Those who are sensitive to caffeine often stack it with L-Theanine to eliminate the crash or jitters.
6. Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri is another ancestrally used herb for enhancing cognitive function and treating brain fog. Bacopa’s significant benefits on cognition led to its mass adoption by the brain health and smart pill industry. Several studies have linked Bacopa supplements to improved memory and attention span, as well as reduced feelings of stress and anxiety.
Here’s how it helps get rid of mental fatigue: Bacopa Monnieri benefits the levels of prominent neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. This positive interaction allows enhanced communication throughout the nervous system by supporting the growth of nerve endings. In addition to its impact on “feel good” neurotransmitters, this nootropic is also an antioxidant. Its antioxidant properties along with its ability to reduce stress levels make it one of the best natural remedies for brain fog.
7. Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Besides its ability to boost physical and athletic performance, Acetyl-L-Carnitine is one of the top natural supplements you should take to stop brain fog. Research has demonstrated L-Carnitine’s ability to reduce symptoms of ADHD in children, increase cerebral blood flow, and improve focus and concentration in healthy adults. Furthermore, it helps convert choline to acetylcholine, making it the perfect stacking option to take with Alpha GPC.
These cognitive enhancement benefits make L-Carnitine the ideal treatment for reducing the mental cloudiness and distorted thinking associated with brain fog. In addition to its nootropic properties, multiple studies have linked L-Carnitine supplementation to improvements in both aerobic exercise and strength training. L-Carnitine has a positive impact on insulin sensitivity and general fat oxidation as well.
8. Ginkgo Biloba
You can’t talk about improving memory retention without hearing about Ginkgo Biloba. It’s arguably the most popular and commonly used herbal cures for brain fog on the market. In the past, doctor’s often prescribed Ginkgo as a natural remedy and quick fix treatment for holistic thinking and memory problems.
Ginkgo is also capable of improving ocular and cerebral blood flow, as well as boosting processing speed and accuracy. This cognitive enhancement effect makes users feel an improved sense of mental clarity and razor-sharp focus. Studies have shown Ginkgo Biloba’s effects on information recall, brain fog reduction, and mood enhancement impact all age groups. If these nootropic qualities weren’t enough, this supplement for brain fog also possesses neuroprotective properties to shield the brain from age-related decline.
9. Omega-3 Fish Oil
Omega-3 fish oil is perhaps the most famous natural health supplement on the planet, and for a good reason. Fish oil is exceptionally well researched and supports a wide array of bodily and cognitive functions. Omega-3 fish oil supplements are composed of two types of fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
Research suggests the DHA component of fish oil is responsible for supporting brain function. These mental functions include enhancing cerebral blood flow, slowing cognitive decline, and treating ADHD naturally. DHA can also clear your mind by helping get rid of brain fog. Studies using EPA-heavy fish oil supplements show that it can stabilize your mood by lessening the effects of anxiety and depression. EPA also reduces bodily inflammation which helps the body recover from injury faster and slows the visual impact of aging.
10. MCT Oil (Medium-Chain Triglycerides)
We’ve all heard health and nutrition news outlets preaching about the benefits of natural coconut oil supplements. Coconut oil is composed of saturated fats. But isn’t all fat bad for you? Not so fast. Our bodies require ketone energy from fat to operate, especially our brains. However, recent research suggests only certain parts of coconut oil are beneficial for mental energy and eliminating fatigue. These fats are known as MCTs (Medium-Chain Triglycerides).
The truth is, roughly 50% of coconut oil is lauric acid, which is the least useful saturated fat. Excess lauric acid consumption may even lead to weight gain or heart problems. This discovery is the reason why purified MCT oil supplements have replaced coconut oil for boosting energy and managing weight. If you’re having trouble concentrating or feeling a bit cloudy, it could be because you’re not getting enough healthy fat in your diet. Take some MCT oil and fix your brain fog naturally with rapid ketone energy.
Quick Brain Fog Fix: Natural Treatments & Remedies
Often, quick treatment for brain fog and mental fatigue is required when you’re at work, at school, or just trying to be a more productive human. Lifestyle changes are always the best long-term route to maintain a clear mind. These changes include getting more restful natural sleep, eating healthier, and following a regular exercise routine.
With that said, sometimes life gets in the way. When you’re always on the go, it’s common to grab fast food and a sugary drink in a pinch. Mix that with staying up too late the night before, and you have a recipe for cognitive disaster. Time constraints are the reason treating brain fog with herbal supplements is a convenient and efficient natural remedy for most people. Next time you need a quick cure for brain fog, give one of these supplements a try.