Editorial Methodology & Evidence Grading
How this database was built, what counts as evidence, and where the research priority stack begins.
How to Get Rid of Brain Fog
Fix Sleep First
Lock your wake time to the same time 7 days a week. During deep sleep, your brain flushes toxins at 10x the daytime rate. Poor sleep = toxic buildup. Fix this before investigating anything else.
Get the Blood Panel
A single blood draw can reveal what no lifestyle change will fix. Request TSH, Free T3/T4, Ferritin, B12, Vitamin D, hs-CRP, and HbA1c. Diagnosis must precede treatment.
Targeted Addressal
Once a driver is identified—be it iron deficiency or thyroid dysfunction—apply the specific clinical protocol. Most protocols require 12-16 weeks for cognitive symptom resolution.
Investigate the Edge Cases
If sleep and standard labs are optimal, move to investigating deeper causes: gut dysbiosis, chronic infections (Long COVID/Lyme), perimenopause, or intracranial structural issues.
Evidence Tiers
Tier A: Strong
Supported by meta-analyses, multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or established clinical guidelines (e.g., ACOG, ATA, IDSA). Considered standard of care.
Tier B: Moderate
Supported by individual RCTs, systematic reviews, or strong cohort studies. Clinically used but may not be universally endorsed by all medical societies.
Tier C: Preliminary
Supported by pilot studies, case series, or strong mechanistic rationale. Often labeled as "Emerging." Not standard of care.
Tier D: Emerging / Anecdotal
Supported by preclinical data (animal/in vitro studies), case reports, or widespread community-reported efficacy. Requires caution and professional supervision.
Prevalence Estimates
Tags (COMMON / UNCOMMON / RARE) estimate prevalence among patients presenting with chronic cognitive dysfunction, not the general population. Where epidemiological data is sparse, estimates are derived from clinical case series. For example, ADHD affects ~5% of adults overall but is categorized as COMMON among those seeking help for chronic brain fog.
Handling Uncertainty
Medicine is an evolving science. Emerging areas are explicitly flagged and framed with language such as "emerging research suggests" or "some clinicians aim for." "Optimal" lab ranges represent functional and integrative medicine targets, not universal consensus—standard reference ranges are always provided alongside for context. Where literature conflicts, we note the conflict.
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional.