I was just curious as to how people define brain fog? I have heard this term used before and wondering how this differs from depression. Is brain fog is an experience in which the cognitive and intellectual functions of the brain are not easily accessed that causes difficulty in concentrating while reading, studying, or some type of learning experience?  Or is this more of a heavy, heavy depression where there is a lot of apathy?

Is brain fog related to too much of the wrong lectins or not enough protein, or changes in blood glucose levels?  Or is it just another indication of digestive system toxicity. Does more compliant animal protein alleviate this the most effectively in O's?

I also have had other unpleasant physical symptoms that I use the terms "brain scrambling" and "ear buzzing" Brain scrambling  is more like when too much visual stimulation is being processed by the eyes, like on most web pages and 24 hour tv news tickers. It feels like an electrical neurological storm.  Can anyone relate to these type experiences?

I use "brain fog" to describe what it feels like when I have trouble focusing, it takes me longer to think, and I often forget words I was planning to use. I know it's a symptom of fibromyalgia, but I also know that "wrong foods" and overall toxicity can cause it or make it worse.

can't speak for anyone else, but I only get it when the lower GI isn't functioning properly.  Like a dry eraser across the mind, it's difficult to recall simple information, or process thoughts/input.

are there any suggestions for making it go away during the time of the experience? The other issue is this lack of clarity tempts me to drink espresso coffee which is supposed to be a toxin for type O. That seems to stimulate the neurons.  Green tea dosesn't seem to have that type effect for me even if it is a superfood

If you've only been on the diet a few days, you may be experiencing detox. If that's the case, you should have clearer thinking in a few more days. If it's been going on longer than that, you'll have to dig a little deeper to  figure out what's going on.

I personally waited until I was on the diet for about 2 weeks before I weaned myself off coffee.

I have been on the genotype diet and have SWAMI for about 2 years now. I'm 44% explorer.  Do the type O supplements help a lot for this. I have bough the type O bundle as well as the explorer bundle and used most of the tablets up, but I don't really feel that much healthier.

Maybe I need to eat more fish. I'm not sure

I experienced brain fog prior to BTD that went away very quickly when I added beef back into my diet. For me, brain fog was a slowness in thought process, and difficulty concentrating, understanding and processing information. I also experienced feelings of depression and lack of motivation, all which went away very soon after going on the BTD. For me, I am sure this was the result of eating beef, which I had nearly eliminated and was eating like a vegan most days.

I later learned beef contains L-tryosine which helps regulate dopamine in Type O. Bingo!

Lisa

Explorers are tricky. Do you know your secretor status?

Quoted from swd123

are there any suggestions for making it go away during the time of the experience?

There are so many things that could cause it, so curing it isn't straightforward.  I've been eating right since 2007 and still have regular trouble with it -- but I probably have Lyme disease, too, definitely a complicating factor.  Like others said, some of it is to be expected initially as your body starts taking out the trash and healing.

Quoted from swd123

I have been on the genotype diet and have SWAMI for about 2 years now. I'm 44% explorer.  Do the type O supplements help a lot for this. I have bough the type O bundle as well as the explorer bundle and used most of the tablets up, but I don't really feel that much healthier.

I have been following BTD, GTD, and SWAMI for a total of 6 years now, but I was really sick and had a tremendous amount of stored toxicity when I started, but I am still detoxing and healing, including having bouts of brain fog.  As others have stated, I consider brain fog to be a noticeable slowing of cognitive function requiring more effort to think, remember, find words to say, etc.  The only way I can help it is to continue to eat well and stimulate the filtering and elimination organs / systems to keep performing their tasks.

i agree with ruthiegirl and ABJoe's descriptions of brain fog.
slower thinking, difficulty thinking, trouble with memory, etc. I would also include a real noticable lack of motivation.

something that hasn't been mentioned here, but  does affect brain fog is if your neck goes out. The last time this happened to me...it took about 6 days for me to figure out what happened... it was only because my boyfriend made me go out for a run. I felt so good when i was running, but as soon as i stopped i could feel the fog pouring in. I realized that it was a blow flow problem. When moving hard, the blood was making it to my brain with no problem, when i stopped the blood wasn't moving hard enough so it was only moving sluggishly.

I dropped by my chiropractors office and sure enough my C1 was totally jammed. As soon as he adjusted it, i literally could feel the blood start to flow into my head properly.

Quoted from Wholefoodie

...brain fog was a slowness in thought process, and difficulty concentrating, understanding and processing information. I also experienced lack of motivation

This sums it up for me!! I literally even nearly fell asleep at the counter, in the store I was working in, while doing paperwork one afternoon last year This all stemmed from the oils they burned at work & the toxic glue fumes burning from the sticker left on the heater  
Normally if I eat right, even when I have had sleepless night/s, I never feel "yawny" tired like I do when I am low in blood sugar or have toxins in my system...   

Brain fog is also a symptom of hypothyroidism so it makes sense that the l tyrosine in meat would help.

swd123, how closely do you adhere to your SWAMI food lists and the frequency/portion recommendations?

swd123, are you taking cholesterol lowering medication or on a low-cholesterol diet?  Either of those can result in "brain fog".

I get brain fog as described by Ruthiegirl and ABJoe whenever I am stressed or sick (asthma attack, etc.). I believe Dr. D. wrote that Bs are prone to cognition issues, etc. when they are stressed. I am noticing this more.

I also had severe brain fog as a result of candida and vitamin D deficiency. I know I have estrogen dominance and progesterone is supposed to help the matter. I read that estrogen dominance also causes brain fog.

I am hoping that as my health improves, the "fog" will start lifting, too. I know that I am much better when compared to pre-GTD and candida cleanse but I still have a long way to go. When I am mentally stressed, I cannot remember words, form coherent sentences, and experience memory lapse.

I experience brain fog when I do not hae enough protein in general. I think beef may help, however, I am still slowly integrating this into my life.

I have difficulty focusing when I do not have enough protein... fish always helps me.

I am an O secretor. I get brain fog less and less now that I eat right.

Some causes for me that are predictable:

Wheat, even crumbs.
Splenda
Pork
Blue cheese
Tuna (mercury)


The only thing I can do, other than ride it out, is get on the treadmill for 20-30 mins.

Jennifer

Quoted from passionprincess

I get brain fog as described by Ruthiegirl and ABJoe whenever I am stressed or sick (asthma attack, etc.). I believe Dr. D. wrote that Bs are prone to cognition issues, etc. when they are stressed. I am noticing this more.

Amen to that; I'm in the same situation.

I get brain fog when I'm exposed to certain chemicals I'm sensitive to, like formaldehyde.  At its worst, I would describe it as trying to walk through mud in my brain when I try to think or remember things.

Brain fog, as was mentioned already, can be caused by hypothyroidism. But ear buzzing can be tinnitus---which is also a symptom of hypothyroidism.

Natural gas, car exhaust and mold are my three biggies.