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Published on: 4/28/2025

How Do People Typically Describe the Sensation of Brain Fog?

People with brain fog often say it feels like their thoughts are cloudy, slow, or fuzzy. They may have trouble focusing, remembering things, or feeling mentally sharp.

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Explanation

Many people describe brain fog as a cloudiness that makes it hard to think clearly, similar to the feeling of being in a foggy day when you can’t see well. People say their minds feel tired and sluggish, like they are running on low battery. They often mention having trouble focusing on tasks or conversations, and sometimes they forget simple things, making everyday activities more challenging. It can feel like the brain is in slow motion, where thoughts take extra time to form and complete. This mental fatigue is similar to the tiredness you feel after a long, hard day, only it stays with you even when you haven't done much physically. The sensation is like your mind is wrapped in a thick, soft blanket that dulls sharp thinking and quick responses, leaving you feeling less alert and more confused than usual. These descriptions have been seen in research on brain fog, especially in people who have had COVID-19.

(References)

  • Aghajani Mir M. Brain Fog: a Narrative Review of the Most Common Mysterious Cognitive Disorder in COVID-19. Mol Neurobiol. 2024 Dec;61(12):9915-9926. doi: 10.1007/s12035-023-03715-y. Epub 2023 Oct 24. PMID: 37874482.

  • Sia AL, Neo JE, Jen-Wei Tan B, Tan EK. "Brain fog" and COVID-19. Am J Med Sci. 2023 May;365(5):472-474. doi: 10.1016/j.amjms.2023.01.003. Epub 2023 Jan 9. PMID: 36632867; PMCID: PMC9827745

  • McWhirter L, Smyth H, Hoeritzauer I, Couturier A, Stone J, Carson AJ. What is brain fog? J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2023 Apr;94(4):321-325. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-329683. Epub 2022 Dec 6. PMID: 36600580.

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