The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on people's cognitive wellbeing and has brought a little-known mental health phenomenon, brain fog, to the fore. Brain fog is a growing global health complaint associated with an inability to focus, sluggishness and a lack of concentration. Brenda Porter-Rockwell explores some of the solutions, from nootropics and omega-3 to botanicals and minerals.
When COVID-19 forced people around the world to remain inside, meetings and social gatherings began to take place over video, blurring the work-life balance. As a result, mental performance took on new meaning as the global spent more time with digital devices.
Looking back, health experts are starting to realize that being always “switched on” appears to have taken its toll on people’s brains. Multiple studies show that consumers have been experiencing a serious mental health phenomenon: "brain fog". Also called “digital dementia”,1 these two terms categorically describe an inability to focus, sluggishness and a lack of concentration. Tied to this is a lack of sleep due to outside stressors.
According to industry experts, there is hope for, and interest in, improving cognitive function among consumers. A Grand View Research report on brain health supplements valued the market size at $7.68 billion in 2021, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% between 2022 to 2030.2
Along with small lifestyle changes, the ingredient options across the brain health space are vast, offering many opportunities for ongoing cognitive wellness support. From omega-3s and ginkgo biloba to adaptogens and minerals, a plethora of natural options exist to help clear away the fog.
“It’s not your imagination that our digital communications, like Zoom, seem more taxing,” said Jennifer Cooper, president of Alternative Laboratories. “Zoom fatigue is a real thing.”
Gencor Pacific’s marketing director, Maggie McNamara, agrees with Cooper, adding that being hyper-focused on phones, tablets and computers has contributed to a mental overload.
Zoom fatigue is a real thing
“We spent more time inside due to lockdown orders, which led us to going more ‘digital’,” says McNamara. “Instead of going outside for a walk, going to the store, etc. we had our brains ‘connected’ for longer periods of time. This definitely contributes to ‘brain fog’.”
Ordinarily, healthy brain function requires receiving, storing and recalling information. It’s when there are disruptions in any of these stages, says Dilip Ghosh, PhD, FACN, director of Sydney-based Nutriconnect, that people have trouble processing and recalling information. The brain starts to short-circuit, making way for “brain fog” or “brain fade”.
In other words, it appears that too much screen time is interrupting normal cellular activities such as cardiovascular blood flow, glucose levels, oxygen uptake, antioxidant status, cholinergic function, mitochondrial function, neurotransmitters (ACH, 5-HT, DA and NMDA), and inflammation that influence our cognitive and memory status.
Nootropics expert David Tomen has conducted research into the issue of brain fog and found six other bodily functions that impact cognitive health: oxidative stress,4 inflammation,5 hormone imbalances,6 nutrient deficiencies,7 lack of quality sleep8 and low brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).9
“The ongoing brain fog symptoms should be taken seriously,” says Tomen.
A key sign of a negative change in cognitive behavior is frequent bouts of forgetfulness. After recognition of such cognitive decline, only then can the individual seek out the “tools” the brain needs to repair itself, says Tomen. “Starting early to examine the root of the cognitive symptom can help to ensure an effective course of action can be taken,” he says.
The ongoing brain fog symptoms should be taken seriously
Tomen is among a growing population of wellness experts putting added focus on mental health, giving consumers greater access to resources to help alleviate brain fog.
Supplementation will play a key role in optimizing cognitive performance. But it’s not the only “tool” or resource available to consumers. Healthy eating, regular exercise, adequate sleep and stress reduction techniques will help boost the effects of any pill, bar, drink or powder consumers may take.