CLUSTER — 10 CAUSES
Gut & Nutrition
Brain fog driven by gut-brain axis dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, and digestive conditions.
Causes in This Category
Histamine
Histamine isn't just allergies — it's a neurotransmitter. When your body produces too much or can't break it down fast enough (mast cell activation, DAO deficiency, high-histamine ...
Gut
Your gut is your second brain — literally. It produces 95% of serotonin, 50% of dopamine, and houses 70% of your immune system. A 2021 Stanford Cell study showed that just adding f...
Sibo
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth — bacteria in the wrong place producing gas, toxins, and inflammation that reaches the brain via gut-brain axis. Classic pattern: bloating aft...
Nutrient
Your brain is the most metabolically demanding organ — 20% of your energy budget for 2% of body weight. It cannot make myelin without B12, synthesize neurotransmitters without iron...
Electrolytes
Your neurons run on electricity — and electricity needs sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in precise balance. Electrolyte imbalances from inadequate intake, excessive sweat...
Alcohol
Alcohol is directly neurotoxic — even 'moderate' drinking. It disrupts sleep architecture (suppresses REM), depletes B vitamins, damages the gut barrier, triggers neuroinflammation...
Celiac
The fog that comes with gluten — but 48-72 hours later, not immediately. Your immune system attacks your small intestine lining when you eat gluten, causing malabsorption of every ...
Anemia
Not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to your brain. The result: fatigue + fog + pale skin + dizziness + shortness of breath on exertion. Your brain is literally oxygen-depriv...
Food Sensitivity
The fog you can't trace. Unlike true allergies (anaphylaxis), food sensitivities cause delayed reactions — 24-72 hours after eating. You blame stress when it was the food you ate y...
Vitamin D
The fog of the indoors. Low vitamin D = neuroinflammation + reduced neurotransmitter synthesis. Your brain has vitamin D receptors throughout — it's not just about bones. Deficienc...