You know the days where you are ready to blast through a list of tasks and have a productive day, only to get stopped in your tracks as your brain refuses to cooperate. Say hello to brain fog. Brain fog is a fairly common issue, no matter your age, and can hit you at the worst possible times.
Not being able to think straight is more than a bit frustrating when trying to keep your focus on your goals, especially when you have a ton of stuff to get done. But did you know that functional mushrooms like lion’s mane can help to break through fog, make you more focused, and even protect your brain. For concentration and memory, lion’s mane is one of the best mushrooms. You will understand why when we dive deeper into what causes brain fog, and examine how compounds found in lion’s mane may work to counteract it.
Does Lion’s Mane Help With Brain Fog?
I’ve found lion’s mane works best to alleviate brain fog when taking it in the morning, and again after lunch to help me get through an afternoon work session. Although you may need to experiment depending on your specific experience with brain fog. If you have chronic brain fog that lasts for days, you may need to take lion’s mane consistently to experience the benefits. But also keep in mind that you may want to try cutting out any processes foods during this time as well to really give your mind a chance to reset and restore it’s clarity and focus.
How could the shaggy, funky, white mushroom help you pick up your game after the unexpected onset of brain fog. Lion’s mane contains up to 70 bioactive metabolites, which means that this medicinal mushroom has plenty of ways to work on your body and mind.
It is traditionally used to support cognitive abilities and enhance brain health. Modern science has discovered at least part of the reason why. Some compounds in lion’s mane have an uncanny ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier and induce positive changes within the brain itself. By targeting the underlying causes of brain fog, rather than trying to lift you up from it by using something as unhealthy as energy shots or whole pots of coffee, lion’s mane provides the solution to restore real, lasting focus.
Are There Any Side Effects with Lion’s Mane
Of course, you can prepare and eat the full-blown fresh lions mane mushrooms yourself (if you can find them), but the easiest way to reap the benefits of this mushroom is to supplement using powder, capsules, or extracts. There are no known side effects from taking lion’s mane supplements, but if you have had an allergic reaction to mushrooms in the past or are taking a prescription drug, consult with your health care provider. The most important consideration with lion’s mane supplements is getting them from a trusted source for safety and maximizing benefits. You can learn more about our top choices by visiting the pages we map out below.
You can find our favorite capsules, powders, and tincture’s on the following pages of our website and learn more about each individually:
List of Best Lion’s Mane Supplements
List of Best Lion’s Mane Powders
List of Best Lion’s Mane Tinctures
List of Best Lion’s Mane Gummies
What is Brain Fog and What Does it Feel Like?
Sometimes, brain fog is just a mild irritation where you can’t seem to focus, causing you to feel a bit tired. However, it can also be serious enough to hinder work, relationships, and personal goals in a chronic manner when it lasts for a matter of days. I know I struggled with it at times where around 3pm on workdays I was unable to focus on anything and felt like the only relief was to go and take a long nap. Almost like a cloud of a sandstorm was erupting in my brain and clogging up my thought process.
What is The Cause of Brain Fog?
Everyone struggles with the sense of not being quite with it from time to time. By tracing your attacks of brain fog back to its source, you can take steps to address it. Here are some of the most common causes of brain fog:
- Stress
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Medication side effects
- Too much or too little sleep
- Blood sugar imbalances
- Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause
- Hypothyroidism
- Inflammatory conditions
- Food sensitivities or allergies
- Depression and/or anxiety
Although brain fog itself isn’t a medical condition, lingering symptoms could be an indication of a more extensive problem. If your symptoms persist or get worse, it’s time for a visit to the doctor.
Get Rid of Brain Fog Naturally
Using lions mane is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to beating brain fog. For best results, follow dietary and lifestyle patterns that support your overall health. This includes getting adequate sleep, eating nutritious foods, addressing vitamin deficiencies, and reducing stress.
If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, see a qualified physician or therapist who can help you work through symptoms and make progress towards recovery. You do not need to continue struggling through brain fog and falling short of your goals. No matter what you are dealing with, lions mane is a strong ally. Make this mushroom a part of your routine, and kiss mental fog goodbye.
Additional resources:
Does lion’s mane help with Alzheimer’s Disease?
Lion’s Mane Potential Drug Interactions
Updated 10/10/2022
