You all have no idea how this made me feel when I read all of the posts! I am 19 and noticed one day, my junior year in high school I was sitting in class and all the sudden someone was telling me class was over. I felt like I had just pushed fast forward and didn't even notice.

I feel like I can't focus and when someone is talking to me I tune them out. But not on purpose, it just happens. I hate this feeling!! My mom bought me a book and suggested I try out what this doctor had to say. It talks about food allergies and how they can affect your moods, and even cause "brain fog." I also suffer from abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and just general discomfort and noticed that when I put on more weight, the other symptoms followed. I also have had depression and panic attacks.

I don't know what this is all about. But it helps to know I am not alone and I will try cutting out the foods suggested above.

I'm 15. And for the past four months I have been suffering from major brain fog. It feels weird, almost like your mind isn't with it. It feels like your body is here, but your brain isn't. And you feel like your not living. And it also doesn't let me think at all.

I tried explaining it to my mom, but she's not understanding. It's so hard to explain what it feels like to other people, because they think you're, like insane.

I am on a depression medication, and it's not working. And my brain fog is still here. But this is all really sad, because I used to just be the happiest person, and not let anything upset me. But now I'm just a lazy 15 year old, never wanting to go out with my friends because I feel so depressed. I really hope my brain fog goes away, and I can live me life again.

I just want to feel 'with it' again. I feel like my life is just flashing by me.

I am 15, 16 next month. I read through all of the previous posts and can pick direct similarities to the feeling I go through every day. I find that I cannot function properly up until about 6 o'clock in the evening at which time I seem to achieve a better level of mind clarity.

Before this time I find that I am very spaced, struggle to think properly, have a feeling of detachment from all of my school mates (despite being fairly popular) and a feeling of disorientation.

Also during this time, most alarmingly, occasionally I have moments lasting around 5-10 seconds in which my eyesight begins to blur to the point which I cannot make out shapes, my hearing becomes blocked, as though I am at the bottom of a swimming pool and my mind goes blank. Also during these episodes I have complete disorientation, I feel dizzy and cannot stand up properly.

This all started over two years ago when I first started smoking weed. before this I was very active and energetic. However after smoking weed I am extremely spaced out for about a month. I used to think that was just getting stoned. However I realise now that what I go through when I am stoned is not normal. I quit smoking weed five months ago and feel much better for it. It is difficult to say no to friends but I feel much better because of it. However I am now stuck in this mentality of feeling spaced ect.

Good luck to all of you others out there who are in the same state of confusion that I am.

I to have been suffering from it for years. I would say I have it about five out seven days of the week so I know very well the difference between these days.

On the days I don't have it I feel so much happier and energetic, I live for these days. Some days it doesn't go away at all, but for the most part it clears up late afternoon.

It's very frustrating because I am in this fog all day then I start to come out of it, and by the time I am ready to start winding down and get ready, my brain is like, "Hey there I am wide awake now, so no, you can't go to sleep because my day just started."

Like right now it's 10 at night I am ready to go to bed but my brain just got an energy boost whereas all day long I have been longing for it to be time to go to bed.

I have this too. I used to have a lot of energy and focus, but now I often feel foggy and kind of depressed. Maybe it's because I got married when I didn't truly want to? Or just because I'm getting older? I'm 33 right now. Working out in the gym kind of helps, but I still feel my life is going downhill. My theory is: Brain fog is a symptom of depression.

Anon18353: You spoke of your mind "spinning with songs", and said that you cannot think clearly because of it.

Do you have any trouble with anxiety? Repetition of sounds, words, or thoughts in the brain is often a sign of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and I once suffered from similar symptoms (though songs were not my particular struggle).

I, too, suffer from "brain fog". With me it is characterized by detachment, saying the wrong word, being incapable of making conversation, and extreme forgetfulness.

It's odd, because I remember strange, specific things, but I'll spend an hour looking for my cell phone because I set it down absentmindedly. It's disconcerting because I am a 21-year-old female. I feel like I am much too young for this. Sometimes I worry my brain has been permanently damaged by past drug use, but then I think that perhaps it's just my anxiety talking.

I just want to be present, and not an observer in life. My self-esteem has suffered dramatically.

About six months ago, I believe all the "stress" that I have been able to brush off in the past finally broke me down. I slowly fell into depression. I felt like I was going nuts.

Now, I seem to be in this "fog" that I can't shake off. I'm awake and am able to work, but it's like I'm have a film over my eyes. It's hard to describe. I just feel weird.

I've read the entries above, and I guess it kind of helps to know that there are others out there experiencing this. But how do we get rid of this weird feeling?

It started for me in high school. A year before I had won a city wide chess tournament. Then I started losing games. Then I couldn't win a single game anymore, and my grades started slipping. Three years later I'm 19 and in university and I feel like I walk in a fog 24/7. I don't feel like doing anything. I can just sit and stare into space for hours. Memorization seems impossible.

It's destroying my life, and no doctor can tell me what's wrong. I've tried multivitamins, fish oil, different diets, stop watching movies/tv, exercising, meditating. Nothing seems to make it go away.

I have Celiac Disease which is an allergy to wheat, barley and rye. For a year I felt like this, it almost felt like I was being poisoned. Three days after completely eliminating gluten from my diet it went away. You have to go completely wheat, barely and rye free and I tell you it's in everything. It's a life style change but it did make the fog go away.

It may not be the answer for everyone but it's easy to test. but be sure to read labels and so you don't accidentally ingest it. Just try a bland diet without wheat, barley and rye for a week and see how you do.

It took a year to get a diagnosis for me since most doctors don't understand the disease at all. It's a systemic inflammation disease that can affect most parts of the body.

I have been experiencing brain fog for six months. The doctor said it was anxiety and put me on Paxil, which made it worse. I feel as though I can't absorb information or speak clearly. I cannot carry on a decent conservation, and have become an observer to most things around me.

I feel as though I have lost a lot of interest in things I was once passionate about. I am a spiritual person, and it's if every desire to be so has left me. I am also a full-time student, and getting through a semester is a nightmare. I'm not sure what to do. I think I might try yoga, a vegetarian diet, increased exercise and vitamin use. I guess only time will tell if any of this helps.

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this site. My symptoms are the same as a lot of others on here. It started when I was 17, when in the evenings I would start to feel all spaced out and weird like I was just on autopilot (like your head feels when your hungover). It happened every few weeks.

Recently (I'm 26 now) it started happening again and at different times in the day usually after lunch and last till about 8-9 p.m. when I suddenly perk up.

Having researched this a lot and trying different things, I will post what has helped me so far;

1) I notice it is worse after I have my tea with three sugars.

2) it feels worse after I have consumed cheese.

3) drinking more water helps

4) the more I think about it and worry, the more I start to panic and analyse any slight weird feeling thinking 'how's my head?' 'am I ok?'

5) paracetamol usually helps me

I fit the symptoms for SAD, anxiety, dehydration, vitamin deficiency and migraines. I have had blood tests for other things I suspected and they came back clear.

I have also been assured that if I were going mad like I feel I am then I would not be aware of it, also I've had this so long I know it cannot be anything too sinister!

I do want to know what vitamins I could start taking to improve my brain/mind? I know B12 has come up alot but has anyone heard of any others?

Thanks, Jo ( I'm assuming nobody on here has any answers as when you are cured you are less likely to be looking up and in these websites! I hope that's the case and there is a cure!)

My symptoms are near to identical to this, but were brought on by Panic Disorder. I've had the disorder for two, nearly three years now, and it's very, very annoying to have this.

I'm currently in college, and trying my best to concentrate with my classes, but it's just so hard to do it when I can't focus. I constantly say things that I don't mean to say, for example, when I'm asking a question, I cannot manage to finish it the majority of the time, and I constantly forget things or cannot focus enough to remember. I can stare into blank spaces for hours without even thinking.

I've been receiving therapy for a while now, but this is quite a recent symptom, so I am unaware of how much longer this will last.

My brain fog started after a very bad relationship with my ex. For some reason, after our fights, I would get into this state of numbness. Now, five years forward, I can't really connect with my family. When my kids talk to me, when my fiance talks to me, with people around work, and in reality with everyone around me, I feel totally disconnected. I can't seem to concentrate on the conversations. It's incredible.

My kids retell stories that I as a mom should remember. But for some reason, I can't. It's like things happened but since I wasn't focusing I can't remember. I really want to focus when people talk to me. I put all my effort, but during the conversations I'm really not there. My mind is empty.

I feel really sad because I don't know what to do about it.

Today I decided to research the net, and came across this site. I thought that I wasn't going to find anything, that I was bizarre. But I'm not the only one, and it is a bitter sweet relief to see I'm not the only one in the same boat. But what now?

Does anyone else get fuzzy vision from their brain fog? Not complete fuzzy vision but fuzzy spots in corners or sometimes directly in front of your vision?

You should try fasting to cure your brain fog.

What's gonna work better then "the greatest remedy, the physician within"?

I have had brain fog for 27 years. I recently found out that it is mercury poisoning that is causing the problem.

I had my amalgam fillings removed A few months ago and felt better right away. I take alpha lipoic acid using Andy Cutlers protocol, but it takes years to remove the mercury from the brain.

I think everyone needs to try a chiropractor. Anytime I have a problem, I just see my chiropractor and the problem is gone.

All you have to do is get your brain chemicals back to the right amounts. I have brain fog all of the time, it comes and goes, sometimes it stays for days. I've actually had it for the last couple of days. I plan on going to the chiro tomorrow, and then it will be gone I'm positive! I agree with most people here though, it is best to keep a diary of your symptoms and what most likely caused it. But chiropractors are awesome if you can find one that really knows their stuff. They can help with anything.

Brain Fog has haunted me for 23 years and after much trial I have discovered that my diet is the source of the problem. Wheat, sweeteners, caffeine are the main culprits. After eight weeks, I am 90 percent better and life is much better.

After all - you are what you eat!

I'm sixteen, and I've had this for a year. I tried marijuana twice. The first time nothing happened. The second time I got this spacey feeling for about 10 days. Then four months passed and this head fog took over. I've had it for almost an entire year now, and I have no idea why.

It's horrible because before I was very in tune with nature and very spiritual, and I can't feel that connection anymore. In the summer I fell into a depression, and I just lay around all day, but now I'm on anti depressants.

At first I thought they were helping, but then I realized that I do feel happier, but the head fog is still there. My dad keeps saying it's because of the marijuana but I don't see how that can be. Has anyone here found a connection with that? I don't see how that can be it at all.

I feel like I'm drowning in my own mind, and this whole thing is just keeping me from being who I am. I am glad to know more people have this, but I'm still hoping with all I have that this stops.

I know how much it sucks, and just complaining to people who know what you're going through could be good, and I'd like it too. Thanks.

I drink a lot of milk, so maybe that's it. I don't know.

I'm 36 years old male and have been experiencing these exact symptoms that many have posted concerning brain fog. I spend practically most of my awake hours in this mental haze.

Has anyone figured out where or what to do to break this deadly cycle?

I get brain fog where my head feels dull and like I have no oxygen and then I also get short of breath. Seems like doctors have no clue and call it a panic attack, which I know it isn't. Sometimes I wake up with it and it lasts all day -- awful feeling.

I'm choking up with tears --joy? frustration? Not sure. ut to find out that my term "brain fog" is actually recognized by others suffering from these symptoms is a relief. I recall the first time it happened. I was 23 years old and was driving my car, talking to my sister and suddenly this clouded state of mind came over me. I was disoriented and confused and it freaked me out. I actually accused my sister of drugging me with something. She's several years older than me and said "Oh, you get that too? It happens to me all the time. Get used to it." It didn't happen often, but occasionally over the years. I talked to a shrink about it. He put me on depression meds. Didn't help the brain fog. Now, I am 41 years old. It is happening more and more often, sometimes lasting for days at a time. I'm an at-home mom thinking about getting a job now, and I'm scared to death that I'm going to get brain fog on the job and do something really stupid. I'm an intelligent person, but it's as if I cannot retrieve or process information. Memory, gone. I find myself unable to use normal vocabulary, as words roll out of my mouth they aren't even close to being the words I'm trying to say. People talking to me and I hear the words but can make no connection to what they are saying to me. I feel as if I've lost my mind, literally. Nothing there. Lights off. I definitely suffer insomnia, but this was happening way before I had problems with sleeping. Stress does seem to compound the problem. I've wondered if I have early-onset Alzheimer's, but my doctor looked at me like I was stupid when I tried to explain this. I am relieved to find "the others" that are as lost as I am, but frustrated to learn that nobody knows of a doctor or any medical research that addresses just exactly what is going on here!

I cannot believe that I finally found out what the hell is wrong with me. I just went on a search engine and typed in my best description of what I felt was wrong, "Brain fog," and found you guys with the exact same symptoms that I have had since the age of 14. I am now 36 years old and am determined to fix it. Doctors just kept telling me that it was stress, depression and one even said I had A.D.D. I've always felt like there had to be a simple solution to this. Kind of like that episode of the simpsons when Homer had that crayon removed from his brain. If anyone ever comes up with a solution, please let me know and I will be sure to do the same. For now I am going to try what anon37397 said about taking melatonin 1 hr before bed time and see if it works for me too.

Ive had brain fog for years, feels like im sleepy and have no oxygen in my brain. Also I get short of breath with it. I get it out of the blue. The doctors don't know what it is or care to see what it is. Anyone know how to get rid of it or help it?

I'm 16, and I've had this problem for around five or six years now. It was a very gradual onset that I didn't take too much notice of, but I just knew that something was wrong. I lack that clarity of thought I remember so well. I still get excellent grades, although whenever I study I just feel as if nothing is 'going in'. I traced the problem back to lack of sleep, and tried various things to remedy the problem (non-medical), and it has helped to an extent. I believe the majority of the brain fog is down to diet. I've recently cut out wheat and dairy, which I basically love, however I suspect that I may have an intolerance to one, or both of these foods. Try researching it. There's an article I ran across where a man cured his long-term depression by cutting out wheat and dairy. The problem with the intolerance is that you would never actually think that you may be intolerant to these foods. In a nutshell, I recommend starting at looking at your diet. You'd be amazed by at how much food affects not only your physical, but mental and emotional well-being also. On a side-note, this is only day three of my wheat and dairy cut-out, although I'm feeling somewhat better for it. Best of luck to you all.

I am 29. I have been suffering from "brain fog" since I was 25. it just came out of the blue. I feel like a space cadet. My mom makes fun of me and tells me that I look like i'm gazing off into space. It's not because I want to. I feel zoned out and detached and it's very difficult to concentrate. I am not depressed, I have a great life, great family, great job. I'm a teacher and I love my job. It's very hard to concentrate. I feel like my head is stuffed full of cotton. Recently I started taking B12. I feel like I have more energy but still feel detached as weird as that sounds. I just wish this would go away. Doctors want to blame it on stress. I don't think they know what they're talking about. This state came on all of a sudden and won't go away. I'm relieved I'm not the only one out there.

i'm fifteen, and it scares me very much because i feel like i'm in an eggshell and life is sort of just slipping by me. this started a few months ago. i did notice that i always feel tired, so i'm wondering if it is some sort of mental fatigue.

I am a 17 year old male. For the past 2 or 3 years now I have been feeling like every part of my conscious being is in a fog. I can't concentrate. my thoughts feel i guess you could say disconnected. Here's the thing though: up until that time I was the smartest kid in my school then all of a sudden, kerplop. nothing. can't think or do anything clearly. I eat very healthy and exercise regularly. I'm in shape, From the hours of 6-7 p.m., though, I feel alive, i feel motivated. that's another thing i suffer from: a severe lack of motivation to do any sort of anything. I want to go to the doctor but I don't want to him to say I'm depressed. Because I have dealt with depression and this is nothing like it. this is worse by a long shot in its own way.

I've also been suffering brain fog since I was 20. I've been on ADS for about 14 years, I'm now 36.

Occasionally it subsides slightly but never fully goes. When I tell my doctor about it, he just looks at me and says I'm depressed. It's so annoying I just want to shake him and tell him to do his job properly. I also have underactive thyroid. I know all about the memory and consentration issues. I've recently started doing quite a lot of research on the matter and found that the following supplements may relieve the affects of brain fog: high doses of omega 3 DHA; free form acetyl-L-carnitine; R-alpha lipoic acid; ginkgo biloba; co enzyme Q10; acai berry.

Before taking any of the above please consult with your pharmacist or doctor to check compatability with any other medicines you may be taking.

I thought I had a panic attack, but realized it was only brain fog, probably due to low blood sugar. I also occasionally smoke marijuana, and thought that that might have been a contributing factor. But I'm leaning more toward the blood sugar decrease now. The brain fog symptoms seem much more plausible than the panic attack -- I could focus and continue working, but it was like a lack of clarity and feeling as though things kept shifting and time was going without me being able to "catch up" with it.

Hay I'm so glad that a lot of what I'm experiencing is what you people are. I'm 36 and have been suffering since I was 20. It's been a real struggle and take Anti D's to try and alleviate some of the symptoms. Also have an undeactive thyroid. I can totally relate to the memory problems, concentration and feelings of detachment. I've just started trying some supplements and will keep you posted on progress.

I use to have very bad brainfog. At times it developed into a headache that no painkiller could get rid of.I also found that from around 5-6 pm do I start to feel normal and energetic.

First I used a product for adrenal fatigue.Then I used Candiclear 5 for candida.Neither of these products helped.One day my eyes fell on a bottle of melatonin that had been sitting on my shelf for a year or two.I took that and the next day the brainfog was gone.I couldn't believe it!

I now take 1.5 mg of melatonin one hour before bedtime, and I have also cut back on my alcohol consumption in the evenings. One glass of red wine,nothing more .

Same symptoms here, I am personally starting on phosphatidylserine +fish oil +multi vitamins + Chromium piconolate regime.

Stress and sleep problems are very much underlying my problems. Get everything tested (blood,urine..)as diabetic condition or thyroid conditions i.e not directly observable diseases may cause it . Also understand your depression pattern and be in the company of laughing people.Prescription stimulants like modafinil may work too (had worked for me). I also tried some herbal testestorene boosters and found dropping off them suddenly triggered brain fog.

I am avoiding caffeine usage. Strange but switching between coffee and tea helped sometimes. Hope this helps someone.

So I seem to be more conscious when I don't sleep. Does anyone else have this?

Second, I have been taking a lot of vitamins,anon30577, to see if that is the cure.

So far I have felt much more normal. I will keep posting updates.

Thank the lord!! I have been telling anyone that will listen my symptoms: memory loss, disorientation, fatigued and just in general fuzzy head. I honestly believed I was going mad. I still can't find a natural remedy for this. Please help. 38 yr old female.

Wow, glad to know I am not the only one. I am 37 and amazingly it does not seem to affect my "cognitive" skills but I have the feeling that something is just not "quite right" like something is missing in my brain. I am wondering if it is vitamin deficiency or possibly seasonal affected disorder.

anon18353:

I also suffer from brain fog and have constantly now for the last 8 months with no break. I have not worked since July and I was diagnosed with lupus. You said your muscles hurt like hell. Have you been tested for an auto-immune disease? It may explain the brain fog, fatigue and muscle pain.

I am in a daze. People talk to me and I'm looking right at them and I don't know what they are saying. I forget my cat's name and family members' names. I can't read for a long period of time. I feel like I am in a bubble and just floating through life.

I am only 26. What is going on??

I'm 14. A freshmen in highschool.

I've been to an evaluator, but I'm sure he's gonna say "Nothing's Wrong."

It's infuriating. In class, I try my hardest to concentrate, but I get terrible headaches.

When I try to talk, I say the wrong thing. I call a watermelon an Ipod. I forget what I say. I have to ask if i said "Thank you"

I feel incredibly stupid, but I don't know what to do. My brain just blacks out. Like there's some blackhole in my mind and I don't know where it ends.

My grades are terrible, and I absolutely *need* tops.

I feel like when people are talking to me that I am just looking at them and the words are coming out of their mouths, but I have no idea what they are saying.

It's like a constant state of detachment. I can't get through a newspaper article and I am forgetful. I can go to the store for something and get everything but what I went for.

Whatever this is, I can't stand it.

By the way, I am 30.

I am a 22 year old female. I have symptoms of brain fog how does brain fog differ from alzheimer's disease?

My mind spins with songs and so forth it feels like i got a radio and television on in my head and i can not think clearly. I've been told i have chronic fatigue because i had a very bad brain infection i can't seem to get back to normal am always tired muscles hurt like hell and the stuff with my mind. is this called brain fog? What can i do? it all seems to come on me after i try to go out and just do normal things like go to the shop or drive for an hour.