Got Brain Fog? Here’s How Alcohol Affects Your Dopamine and Reward System

One way to let go of nit-picking or ruminating thoughts is to channel your energy into a creative activity, like drawing, needlepoint or cooking. To solve the problem and prevent future brain fog symptoms, you must address the root cause. That is because 90-95% of our serotonin, the key neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood, is made in our gut. Serotonin and other vital neurotransmitters travel from the gut to the brain via the vagus nerve. Chemical signals travel both from the gut to the brain and vice versa. I recommend you remove these foods from your diet due to their connection to brain fog as well as other health issues such as leaky gut and autoimmunity.

Why Do I Have Brain Fog After Drinking Alcohol?

• That passion has taken him through leadership roles in Tennessee government, McKinsey consulting, and most recently Evolent Health.
• Over time, dopamine production decreases once your tolerance goes up, meaning you may need more alcohol to feel the same boost over time.
• By recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps, it’s possible to lift the fog and improve your cognitive function.
• When she isn’t seeing participants, Dr. Chen loves to read and plan her next vacation.

You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance. Here at Sunnyside, we use the science behind habits to help you reach your goals. We make it easy to follow your patterns, catch your triggers, and offer 24/7 support with a community of like-minded people and trained coaches. Try our free 3-minute quiz and get a personalized plan and free trial to see how it will work for you. Following a list of tips isn’t easy, especially if you try to do them all at once.

What Does Brain Fog Feel Like?

Make sure that your bedroom is maximized for restful sleep by designating it for sleep and intimacy only. That means no computers or TV’s since they emit blue light, a known suppressor of melatonin production. Also, sleeping with an essential oil diffuser provides soothing aromas and low, rhythmic noise to help lull you to sleep. For example, blueberries may help prevent neurodegeneration, and avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats that protect brain cells. A consistent flow of nutrients will keep your brain sharp throughout the day.

When should brain fog be treated by a healthcare provider?

When seniors suddenly stop drinking, they may experience too much brain activity, which can cause mental fogginess, dizziness, and memory problems. Also, withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting can add to the mental fog. You can ask your doctor about using certain medications to treat alcohol-related brain fog.

Broken and Bleeding: Emotional Trauma and Substance Use Disorder

• As anyone who’s consumed alcohol knows, ethanol can directly influence brain function.
• Additionally, incorporating mindfulness activities like meditation can play a role in strengthening brain circuits that may have been affected by alcohol use.
• A little bit of stress is natural and can come from internal or external factors, including our physical environment, jobs, relationships, traffic, and unexpected events.
• “I love working with the elderly to see them become independent in their own homes.” Sukhvinder enjoys supporting her patients and creating a personal connection.
• Elizabeth Carty is an expert in the highly successful PACE model of care.

In particular, learning a new language or how to play an instrument is the equivalent of rigorous cardiovascular exercise for your brain. When not working, Marshe enjoys rest and relaxation such as shopping, crafting, or going to the spa, and spending time with family. Marshe prides herself on listening to and understanding where her patients are now, and helping them overcome any barriers to their care goals. When not working, I enjoy…traveling and road trips, spending time with family, watching movies.

When To Call the Doctor

You’re unmotivated, it’s difficult to remember important information, and your mind is taking every opportunity to drift. Alcohol use disorder (or alcoholism) is also a clear issue for the brain. It has been linked to a higher risk for dementia, especially early-onset dementia in a study of 262,000 adults, as well as to smaller brain size. When people talk about drinking “alcohol,” they’re almost always referring to the consumption of ethanol. Ethanol is a natural product that is formed from the fermentation of grains, fruits, and other sources of sugar. It’s found in a wide range of alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, and spirits like vodka, whiskey, rum, and gin.

• In addition, ongoing research is abundant in the area of neuroplasticity—the amazing ability of the brain to rewire following injury or disease—and its relationship to addiction recovery.
• Brain fog is one of the many consequences caused by excessive alcohol and substance abuse.
• The severity of these alcohol withdrawal symptoms isn’t limited to just physical symptoms.
• She was at the helm of AltaMed’s ADHC and PACE growth and expansion for over 18 years.
• Your doctor may also conduct allergy testing to check for allergies or a sleep study to rule out a sleep disorder.
• The fortunate takeaway for recovering addicts is that there are simple ways to feed and train your brain in order to regain mental clarity that is equal or close to where it was before addiction.

Chioma is a passionate and dedicated Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with five years of nursing experience in critical and transitional care. She is known for taking new hires and students under her wing, teaching them what she’s learned. When she isn’t seeing participants at WelbeHealth, Dr. Villalba loves surfing and practicing mixed martial arts. When she isn’t seeing participants, Dr. Chen loves to read and plan her next vacation.

The more prolonged and heavier the alcohol use, the greater the probability that the brain fog will remain for a longer time. Additionally, it’s essential to avoid alcohol and other substances that can worsen brain fog symptoms. Brain fog is one of the many consequences caused by excessive alcohol and substance abuse. Following addiction, this common symptom generally co-occurs with alcohol brain fog several other symptoms in the stage of recovery after acute withdrawal, known as Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). Because brain fog is a symptom of a larger issue, getting to the root of your conditions is the first step to get rid of brain fog. Changing your diet, relieving your stress, getting more sleep, and healing your infections can all help to get rid of brain fog.

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