In fact, a deficiency in the essential nutrient thiamine resulting from chronic, heavy alcohol consumption is one of the biggest factors contributing to alcohol-induced brain damage. Alcohol is both a stimulant and a depressant, which significantly impairs cognitive functioning. Once the levels of alcohol in your body decrease, withdrawing from the substance can cause fatigue, headache, vertigo, hangxiety, and other symptoms of brain fog.
How Lion’s Mane Helps Brain Fog
This article will dive deeper into what brain fog is, how it’s related alcohol brain fog to alcohol, what the symptoms of it are, and much more. By Michelle PugleMichelle Pugle writes health articles for award-winning websites, as seen in Healthline, Verywell, Everyday Health, and Psych Central. She has a Master’s degree, undergraduate degrees in English and Sociology, a diploma in Holistic Herbal Therapy, and is trained in mental health first aid, anti-violence work, and peer support work.
- We often don’t realize it, but water actually helps our brain cells communicate with each other.
- Another way that alcohol can affect the brain is by reducing its size.
- We might find ourselves in that brain fog state, forgetting things more often or having difficulty concentrating.
- Together, medication and behavioral health treatments can facilitate functional brain recovery.
Understanding Alcohol Brain Fog
“Generally, over time, there have been new studies that show that chronic alcohol use — at very heavy use — can lead to brain damage, both gray and white matter. It can cause brain atrophy and shrink your brain over time,” shares Dr. Anand. These resources can all be great tools for treating alcohol addiction and brain fog.
Alcohol Withdrawal and Brain Fog
Remember, prioritizing self-care and seeking professional help are vital components in combating brain fog and achieving long-term success in your recovery. This CME/CE credit opportunity is jointly provided by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and NIAAA. The developing adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to alcohol-related harm.
In fact, one study found that hangovers have a negative effect on cognitive functions, including visual, memory, and intellectual processes. Another study noted that people are generally Drug rehabilitation less alert when they’re hungover. Brain fog is a common phenomenon experienced during alcohol withdrawal. It is characterized by a lack of mental clarity, confusion, impaired concentration, and memory issues.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Alcohol consumption can cause brain fog due to its impact on basic cognitive processes and the central nervous system. During early sobriety, areas such as quality sleep, good nutrition and even hydration status can still be impacted by our alcohol abuse (Kverno, 2021). These areas could be considered foundational pillars of good health, so addressing these factors could not only resolve brain fog but support long-term sobriety.
Effects of alcohol on the brain
The residual effects can continue to affect cognitive functions and overall mental clarity. The duration of brain fog after drinking can vary depending on several factors. If you’re experiencing brain fog as a result of a hangover, it typically lasts between 8 to 24 hours. However, it’s important to note that cognitive impairments resulting from long-term alcohol use can persist even after you stop drinking. Brain fog, or mental fog, is often described as feeling mentally drained and unable to concentrate.
Want to protect your brain? Here’s what you need to know about alcohol consumption.
While brain fog from alcohol is temporary and reversible, chronic alcohol abuse can lead to permanent cognitive impairment. Others may have a hard time sticking to this limit due to genetics, stress, and other risk factors. Research has found an increased prevalence of AUD and heavy drinking, primarily among women.
An excessive amount of dehydration from lots of alcohol consumption in one night is a common reason why you might get a hangover headache the next day. Your brain is made up of about 73% water, so it needs enough of it to function properly. One of the primary reasons why alcohol causes brain fog is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes the kidneys to produce more urine to remove alcohol’s toxins from the body.
Sleep and Stress Management
If you’re trying to cope with drinking too much, talk with your healthcare professional. You might have heard people comparing your brain to a computer, but the truth is a lot more complicated than that. You’re unmotivated, it’s difficult to remember important information, and your mind is taking every opportunity to drift.