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Published on: 4/28/2025

What Is the Medical Term for a Foggy Brain?

"Brain fog" is the common medical term used for a foggy brain. It describes feelings of confusion, memory lapses, or a lack of clear thinking even though it is not a formal diagnosis.

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Explanation

Doctors often use the term "brain fog" when describing a person’s sensation of mental cloudiness. People who say they have brain fog might have trouble thinking clearly, remembering things, or paying attention. It is important to know that brain fog is not a disease on its own. Instead, it is a set of symptoms that can happen with many conditions, such as stress, lack of sleep, or other health issues. Medical experts have written about brain fog to try to understand the many aspects of how people feel when their thinking seems slow or unclear. They sometimes use phrases like “subjective cognitive dysfunction” to describe the experience, but “brain fog” is the most common term. If someone is having these symptoms regularly, it is a good idea to talk to a doctor. A doctor can help find the cause and suggest ways to improve concentration and clear thinking. Remember, brain fog is a symptom, and treating the underlying cause usually helps improve the situation.

(References)

  • McWhirter L. Brain fog. Pract Neurol. 2025 Mar 14;25(2):137-142. doi: 10.1136/pn-2024-004112. PMID: 39304293.

  • Denno P, Zhao S, Husain M, Hampshire A. Defining brain fog across medical conditions. Trends Neurosci. 2025 Feb 17:S0166-2236(25)00017-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2025.01.003. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40011078.

  • 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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