Alcohol is devoid of important proteins, minerals, and vitamins — and it actually inhibits the absorption and use of vital nutrients such as thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin B12, folic acid, and zinc. Thiamine is particularly important, as it’s involved in the metabolism of proteins and fat and the formation of hemoglobin — a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues throughout our body. As well as impacting us differently, sobriety coach Christy Osborne explains that if we’re drinking, our perimenopause symptoms can be harder to notice.
Can a healthy diet help autistic children to thrive?
Alcohol dependence happens when our brain chemistry adapts to the presence of alcohol, leading to a reliance on it to feel ‘normal’. This dependence plays a significant role in the intensity and duration of brain fog during withdrawal. The more prolonged and heavier the alcohol use, the greater the probability that the brain fog will remain for a longer time.
Medications and Cancer Treatments
“Chemo brain” is a well-known phenomenon that describes thinking problems before, during, and after cancer treatment, according to the National Cancer Institute. This mental fog can be caused by the cancer itself, conditions caused by cancer (such as depression or sleep problems), or a variety of treatments including chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. Additionally, it’s essential to avoid alcohol and other substances that can worsen brain fog symptoms. In fact, brain fog related to alcohol use can also be a symptom of withdrawal for those who have developed alcohol dependence. In such cases, the brain has become accustomed to the presence of alcohol and may struggle to function normally without it, leading to feelings of confusion or disorientation.
Manage Your Stress
If you’re suffering from Candida overgrowth or SIBO, avoid fermented foods, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol above all else. While you heal your gut, you can still focus on supporting the optimal health of your brain. Histamine is a neurotransmitter that communicates important messages from your body to your brain.
- Seeking treatment and maintaining sobriety is essential to prevent relapse and keep your cognitive function on the rise.
- Changing your diet, relieving your stress, getting more sleep, and healing your infections can all help to get rid of brain fog.
- Living an isolated life is not what the brain is meant to do,” says Wilhour.
- Women are more likely to have dementia than men, but women also live longer, which could explain some of the higher rates of dementia diagnosis.
- I personally formulated NeuroLive™ with a unique combination of nutrients and botanicals to support the control center of your body – your brain!
- Warren is a Licensed Master Social Worker, who specializes in substance abuse and mental health treatment.
- Alcohol brain fog is a natural phenomenon that affects many people.
- The liver can only break down alcohol in small amounts at a time.
This may be due to body weight and other biological differences. While alcohol is a relaxant and can make you feel good at first, chronic alcohol use can cause mental health issues. Before you reach for your next drink, Dr. Anand explains how alcohol can affect your brain — not only in the short term, alcohol brain fog but also in the long run. If you think you abuse alcohol or someone you know may be struggling with alcohol addiction, it is essential to seek professional help as soon as possible. Take note that chronic alcohol misuse can also lead to other health problems, such as liver disease and heart disease.
Neuroscience: The Brain in Addiction and Recovery
