Adrenal Fatigue and Brain Fog
- Brain Fog is one of the most common adrenal fatigue symptoms
In a survey of 82 visitors to this site, 92.6% responded that they have Brain Fog.
It is definitely one of the most common symptoms.
When is Brain Fog Most Common?
- Afternoon is the most common time for Brain Fog
Another survey on this site asked 78 people when they experience brain fog. As you can see from the chart below, the most common time for brain fog is in the afternoon.
When is Brain Fog Most Common
Other symptoms tend to be worse in the afternoon.
- In another survey, site visitors noted that their hypoglycemia was worse in the afternoon. 71.8% (of 73 people) said they have afternoon hypoglycemia.
- The afternoon energy crash was also reported by 94.2% of 86 site visitors.
Something is definitely going on in the afternoon !
The other thing you might notice is that only about 7% reported brain fog in the late evening. We'll connect that to the late evening energy boost as well.
How are they all connected?
There are a few things that can produce brain fog. Low Dopamine, Low Epinephrine (adrenaline) can cause brain fog2.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can also cause brain fog. See the article:
Hypoglycemia and Adrenal Fatigue
for more information.
The adrenal glands have a role to play in the above causes of brain fog.
Below are results from a urine test. There are mine from 2010, back when I had brain fog. Note the low dopamine and low epinephrine.
Low Dopamine on Integrative Psychiatry Urine Test from 2010
Low Epinephrine on Integrative Psychiatry Urine Test from 2010
The Afternoon Dip?
But what about brain fog being worse in the afternoon? (along with the energy crash and hypoglycemia)
Below is a sample saliva hormone test. One of mine from 2005. Note the low cortisol in the afternoon.
Saliva Cortisol Tests
The results didn't always look like that, but for several saliva tests I was low in the afternoon, or early evening.
It seems that the drop in cortisol in the afternoon would explain the afternoon hypoglycemia.
The Late Evening Energy Boost?
The least common time that people experience brain fog is in the late evening. As noted on the chart at the start of the article, only 7% of those that get brain fog experience it in the late evening.
71.6% of visitors to this site reported that they have increased energy in the evening. That make sense. Less brain fog during the same period when energy levels are higher.
A 2005 study of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome subjects foud that they low cortisol levels throughout the day .... except for 9:00 pm4.
Note: See the article
Chronic Fatigue vs Adrenal Fatigue for a comparison.
Does Brain Fog Go Away?
As your adrenal fatigue improves, your brain fog will stop.
Mine went away after consistent and daily meditation and relaxation breathing exercises. This was in 2011.
Possibly by calming my nervous system, I was not burning through
adrenal reserves as quickly,
so there was more adrenal energy available to control blood sugar.
If you have not yet come to understand how your adrenal glands control blood sugar, you might like to
read:
Adrenal Fatigue and Hypoglycemia.
Summary
Brain fog is a very common adrenal fatigue symptom.
The most common time people experience it is in the afternoon, which matches up with the classic afternoon energy crash, as well as afternoon hypoglycemia.
It is a very frustrating symptom to feel like your I.Q. has dropped about 30 points. But it does get better.
Good luck with your recovery.
References
1. HealthLine: What Are the Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar?2. Dr. Sharon Norling: Brain Fog
3. Eating Lots of Carbs, Sugar May Raise Risk of Cognitive Impairment, Mayo Clinic Study Finds
4. Diurnal patterns of salivary cortisol and cortisone output in chronic fatigue syndrome
