Brain Fog???

[shoehornlettuce]

I've always had problems with this but it was never really a huge issue on tests and exams because there wasn't a strict time limit. Now that I'm preparing for the MCAT, I really need to do something about this.

I'm not sure if it's called brain fog or whatever but when I'm reading stuff for example, it's almost like my brain turns off. I'll be reading individual words and understand each word individually but wont be able to put the words together to form a sentence and paragraph. Like a tunnel vision of sorts. So in a 10 sentence paragraph I will maybe pick up 3 of the ten sentences and consequently, have no idea what I read and have to reread the paragraph. Often times after I've read something it will seem almost like a distant memory. Very unclear and lacking detail. Sometimes it gets so bad that I'm forced to read the same sentence ten times.

It has nothing to do with the content I'm reading being difficult or me being incapable of understanding it. At times I'll feel like what I'm reading is incredibly complicated because of this issue but after reading it several times I'll realize the concepts are so elementary that something just isn't right.

I'm just wondering if anybody else has struggled with something similar or has heard of something similar. If so, are there any medications, diet, exercise that helped clear it up? I was originally thinking it might be some sort of ADD but after talking to others with ADD I feel like it's something else. It really does seem analogous to trying to see through fog in the sense that I know the information is in my head, I just can't think clearly enough to put it together. I'd really appreciate any suggestions anybody might have.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Bean Counter]

Plenty of people get brain fog and I think everyone has to find their own way to really deal with it.

I find that for myself, because I have a relatively fast metabolism, my nutrition has a lot to do with my mind-state when I am studying. If I eat either too much before I study, or eat sugary or highly fatty unhealthy foods it has a very detrimental effect on my study session. Having a little bit of caffeine helps get me out of the dull phase if I'm not feeling right but I won't be as sharp as I am if I've eaten healthy small meals.

I also like to go for a short run before I study to get my blood flowing. Nothing too crazy though. I just run around my apartment complex which is a bit less than a mile. People underestimate the nootropic effect that exercise can have on their brains. I hit the books feeling amped and can grasp and retain information a lot better after I've run. I'm trying to get back into the routine of weight training after I've studied while listening to EK audio osmosis in my headphones but that's off the subject.

Bottom line is that at least for me is that if my body feels healthy my mind feels healthy and vice versa.

 

[fas376]

i think everyone has that problem, to be honest. for example, i'll read a sentence, and not know what i read. then i'll read it again. if i don't understand it after reading it the second time, i get a little annoyed and my mood begins to change. once you get frustrated, it's game over. you'll end up wasting a ton of time rereading something that was never that difficult to begin with. that's why you have to remain calm. harder said than done, but it just takes some practice and focus.

 

[shoehornlettuce]

Thanks for the replies. Some good ideas that I'm going to try out. I find it interesting that you mention you have a fast metabolism. For me it's been a constant struggle to keep weight on my whole life to the point where I'm currently eating around 4500 calories a day just to maintain a normal weight for my height. Been eating a few junk meals every day just for the calories and now thinking maybe this is causing problems.

 

[valkener]

Junkfood is always going to give you bad energy. Just think of all the sodium and the sugar spike that will send you crashing. I have brainfog too sometimes, and taking a walk with my dog really helps - getting up, breathing fresh air helps my brain.

Hope you can figure out a way to deal with it. Try seeing what other variables influence your studying besides diet like sleep, exercise, emotional support etc. You might also even want to see a psychologist and see if you have any attention difficulties and get checked for ADHD. Some of my friends have been diagnosed with ADHD in their mid-twenties. Good luck!

 

[Bean Counter]

Been eating a few junk meals every day just for the calories and now thinking maybe this is causing problems.

Now that you said that I can definitely tell you that watching your diet will improve the way your brain functions while you're studying. I think some people can have whatever try want to eat and keep on trucking but I think for us with high metabolisms the effect of nutrition is more profound.

I started to really pay attention to my diet during undergrad when I used to lift weights religiously. It was easy to notice that if I didn't eat right my workout was negatively affected so I started to pay more attention to my diet. Later I realized that the days I would have good workouts I would also be able to study more efficiently. After college when I was studying for my CPA exams and not working out so much I noticed the same thing that I would have good study day and bad ones and I put 2 and 2 together and realized how much my diet affects my brain performance so I watch what I eat even more when I'm gearing up for a big test.

 

[OnThatPath]

Junkfood is always going to give you bad energy. Just think of all the sodium and the sugar spike that will send you crashing. I have brainfog too sometimes, and taking a walk with my dog really helps - getting up, breathing fresh air helps my brain.

Hope you can figure out a way to deal with it. Try seeing what other variables influence your studying besides diet like sleep, exercise, emotional support etc. You might also even want to see a psychologist and see if you have any attention difficulties and get checked for ADHD. Some of my friends have been diagnosed with ADHD in their mid-twenties. Good luck!

Breathing fresh air definitely helps the brain. Sleep, exercise and diet play a major role in the category as well. You are definitely on track bud. One suggestion though.. There are supplements that are available over the counter to aid those with "brain fog" and cognitive functions.