Brain Fog

Why it works: Acute attention/processing effects have been observed in healthy adults. Double-blind trials with standardized green-oat extracts (e.g., Neuravena®, Cognitaven®) report short-term...

Instructions: 1) Standardized extract (capsules/tablets). Single/acute doses before demanding tasks:. • 800–1,600 mg taken once, 1–2 hours pre-task in crossover RCTs. Northumbria University Rese...

Warnings: Celiac disease and gluten-related issues:. Oats are naturally gluten-free but can be contaminated wi...

Studies: Acute cognitive benefits (attention/working memory) in middl...

Why it works: Several biologic features of royal jelly (RJ) could plausibly support cognition, which is why people consider it for brain fog—even though proof is limited:. • Anti-inflammatory &...

Instructions: There is no standardized, evidence-based dosing for brain fog. The best we can do is mirror regimens used in human studies of related outcomes:. Common studied oral doses & schedul...

Warnings: Who should not use RJ (or should only use it with medical supervision):. • Anyone with asthma, atopi...

Studies: Post-stroke RCT (2024): 64 ischemic stroke patients randomiz...

Why it works: What brain fog often is: commonly tied to stress, sleep loss, and mental fatigue rather than a single disease. Rhodiola is classed as an adaptogen—plants thought to help normalize...

Instructions: Choose a standardized extract.. • Look for R. rosea extracts standardized to ~3% rosavins and ~1% salidroside (common in the clinical literature) and/or products meeting pharmacope...

Warnings: Common effects: usually well-tolerated for short-term use (≤ 12 weeks). Possible insomnia, dizziness...

Studies: Stress-related mental fatigue / performanceNight-duty physic...

Why it works: Stress/HPA-axis modulation → clearer thinking. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that can reduce perceived stress and lower cortisol; RCT meta-analyses show clinically meaningful reducti...

Instructions: These instructions mirror how it’s been used in clinical studies; always discuss with your clinician, especially if you take medications or have medical conditions.. Form: Standard...

Warnings: Authoritative safety overviews and regulators emphasize caution in specific groups:. • Liver injury...

Studies: Cognition / brain-fog–relevant outcomesMild Cognitive Impair...

Why it works: Pattern it aims to correct: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), brain fog often maps to patterns like Heart Blood/Yin deficiency, Kidney deficiency, and phlegm-damp misting the...

Instructions: Always individualize with a licensed TCM practitioner. Dose and suitability depend on your pattern and meds.. • Typical adult dose (teapills): 10 pills, 2–3× daily with water, as d...

Warnings: Follow label and professional advice. Different manufacturers use different ingredient sets and stre...

Studies: Direct clinical trials on “Bu Nao Wan” for brain fog: I coul...

Why it works: TCM rationale (pattern-based): TWBXD is a classic formula that “nourishes Heart–Kidney (yin) and calms the mind (shen).” It’s traditionally used for insomnia, palpitations, poor me...

Instructions: Real-world dosing varies by manufacturer and practitioner. Always follow the exact product label or a qualified TCM practitioner’s direction.. • Common OTC teapill directions: “8 p...

Warnings: Drug interactions (important):. • Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) in TWBXD can interact with warfarin...

Studies: Cognition / “brain fog”–adjacent outcomesCheonwangbosim-dan...

Why it works: TCM pattern logic. Brain fog often overlaps with poor concentration, forgetfulness, fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety. In TCM this commonly maps to Spleen-Qi + Heart-Blood deficiency,...

Instructions: Confirm the pattern. A TCM consultation should verify Spleen-Qi and Heart-Blood deficiency (tongue/pulse & symptom cluster). Using formulae without pattern fit reduces effectivenes...

Warnings: Because Gui Pi Tang (and its common modifications) contain licorice (Glycyrrhiza) and ginseng, pay s...

Studies: There are no large RCTs specifically on “brain fog” per se....

Why it works: Antioxidant & mitochondrial support. In animals, water extracts of Centella activate the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, improve mitochondrial function, and enhance cognition; blocking N...

Instructions: Standardized triterpene extracts (TECA/TTFCA). • Typical oral dose: 60–120 mg/day of a titrated extract standardized to asiaticoside/asiatic acid/madecassic acid (often split BID)....

Warnings: Liver risk (rare but real). Case reports of hepatotoxicity have been published; authoritative drug/t...

Studies: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial (healthy elderly).Watta...

Why it works: Neurotrophic & anti-inflammatory actions. Compounds in Lion’s Mane—especially hericenones (fruiting body) and erinacines (mycelium)—promote nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, sho...

Instructions: These research-anchored templates are what human trials actually used:. Fruiting body powder (MCI trial). • Dose: 3 g/day of dried fruiting-body powder (as 250 mg tablets; 4 tablet...

Warnings: Allergies. Rare but real cases of mushroom allergy/anaphylaxis, including to Lion’s Mane. Avoid if y...

Studies: Mild Cognitive Impairment (double-blind RCT, n=30). 3 g/day...

Why it works: Neurotransmitter & synaptic effects. Bacopa’s bacosides modulate cholinergic signaling (supports attention/working memory) and may upregulate plasticity-related pathways (e.g., BDN...

Instructions: Choose a standardized extract used in trials. Most RCTs use branded, standardized extracts (e.g., CDRI-08/KeenMind®, BacoMind®). Standardization helps ensure consistent bacoside co...

Warnings: Common side effects: GI upset (increased bowel movements, stomach cramps), nausea, dry mouth, fatigu...

Studies: Meta-analysesPase et al., 2012: Systematic review found Baco...

Why it works: Neurovascular & antioxidant actions. Standardized ginkgo leaf extracts contain ~24% flavone glycosides and ~6% terpene lactones (ginkgolides/bilobalide). These compounds have antio...

Instructions: Product type. • Choose a standardized leaf extract (typical spec: 24% flavone glycosides, 6% terpene lactones). This is the form used in most clinical studies and recognized by Eur...

Warnings: Bleeding risk: Ginkgo has antiplatelet effects and can increase bleeding risk, especially combined w...

Studies: Direct evidence for generic “brain fog”:Very limited. Publis...

Why it works: Membrane + signaling support. PS is a major phospholipid in neuron membranes. It helps receptors and kinases (e.g., Akt/PKB, PKC, Raf-1) dock to membranes and signal properly—mecha...

Instructions: Form & source: Choose plant-derived PS (soy or sunflower). Bovine-cortex PS is largely discontinued due to theoretical prion risk. Cleveland Clinic. Common dose ranges (adults):. •...

Warnings: Not FDA-approved to treat conditions; GRAS as an ingredient. Consumer medical guidance notes PS isn’...

Studies: Stress / HPA axis (relevant to stress-based brain fog):Chron...

Why it works: Acute pro-cognitive effects: Standardized Panax extracts can produce small, short-term improvements in attention and working memory in healthy adults, likely via cholinergic, gluco...

Instructions: 1) Choose a standardized extract.. Look for products standardized to total ginsenosides (often ~4%). A widely studied extract is G115® (Asian ginseng), standardized to ~4% ginsenos...

Warnings: Authoritative summaries (NIH/NCCIH, Drugs.com/WebMD) highlight the following:. • Common side effects...

Studies: Supportive findingsAttention/working memory (acute): Randomi...