BRAIN FOG AND ITS SOLUTION IN AYURVEDA

What is Brain Fog?

Brain fog is not actually a mental condition. Brain fog describes the feeling of mental sluggishness and fuzziness. A person with a brain fog lacks mental clarity, affects the ability of person to concentrate or focus and make it difficult to recall things. Brain fog is the symptom of mental condition known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Ultimately brain fog impacts person’s mental state, individuals do not feel like themselves because of loss of mental clarity or sharpness feels foreign to them. Person may feel confused or disorganized or out of focus or find hard to put thoughts into words.

How brain fog is related to COVID-19?

It is to be believed that COVID- 19 causes inflammation in the brain that affects the ability of the ability of the neurons (brain cells) to communicate with each other resulting in brain fog. Or other factor that might contribute to brain fogging at the time of pandemic is the fear of corona virus or the stress, anxiety, isolation it created. Some people got relief after a week or so but for others it was long lasting.

 Ayurveda view point over brain fogging?

According to Ayurveda there are three essential facets to understand brain’s clarity:

• DHI: Dhi is the ability to learn and understand, governed by Vata dosha.
• DHRITI: ability to process and retain the gained knowledge which is governed by Pitta dosha.

• SMRITI: Smriti is correlated to memory or intellect which is controlled by Kapha dosha.

For the brain to work at its optimum level, each of above variables must be fulfilled and coordinated. Instance all these be balanced if or sharirik dosha (body elements)- Vata, Pitta and Kapha along with manshik doshas (mental elements)- Raja, Tama and to uplift manshik guna that is Satva (purity of thoughts).

Symptoms of brain fog:

• Altered cognition
• Confusion
• Forgetfulness
• Difficulty in recalling things
• Unable to focus or concentrate
• Memory related issues
• Anxiety
• Lack of confidence
• Mental exhaustion
• Lack of motivation or interest in doing things
• Hazy thoughts.

What causes brain fog?

• Lack of sleep
• Overworking
• Spending too much time on screens
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking or alcohol
• Vitamin D
• Undiagnosed mental issues like dementia, alzheimer’s disease
• Diet high in ultra-processed foods

How Ayurveda helps in coping up Brain fog?

Ayurveda refers to “Satvavajya chikitsa” while deals with the brain fog by raising the masnsik guna (great qualities) –Satva. Satva refers to as purity, truth and the harmony. It is the stillness of consciousness. Living with the Satva means living with the state that allows one to exist in the world with intelligence, knowledge, happiness, pleasure, compassion, emotional stability, love and healthy detachment from outcomes. Along with uplifting satva one should limit and find balance with Rajasic (stimulating and activating) and Tamsic (heavy, dull and inert) dosha influences in your life.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES:

• Changing lifestyle
• Meditation
• Practicing Yoga
• Prioritizing meaningful connections and relationships
• Following daily (dincharya) and seasonal (ritucharya) ayurvedic regimes

Herbs beneficial for brain fog:

1. Brahmi: Brahmi is the efficient nervine tonic and balances all the doshas predominantly pitta. It removes blockage and toxins from the nervous tissues. It enhances intelligence, improves memory and concentration power.
2. Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is rasayna (rejuvenator) in Ayurveda. It is an adaptogen, mental rejuvenator, enhances vitality, stress reliever etc.
3. Tulsi: Tulsi is the herb that gives mental clarity. Also known as holy Basil or Queen of herbs. It is apdaptogen, nootropic and antioxidant properties. It lowers the cortisol level, supports nervous tissue, helps in clarity of mind, memory etc.
4. Shankhpushpi: It is a brain tonic and adaptogen herb that works to support central nervous system and enhance intelligence and cognitive functions.
5. Turmeric: Turmeric or curcumin is the best anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herb that found in every house hold. It helps in reducing the condition called brain fog.
6. Guduchi: Also known as Amrita. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is adaptogen. It is helpful in lowering the stress and anxiety.

Managing brain fog with Chandigarh Ayurved Centre:

1. Rasayan Vati

Rasayan vati is herbo-mineral ayurvedic formulation, which is 100% natural. Rasayan vati contains various herbs such as Aswagandha, Shilajeet, Amla, Kesar, Musali, Shatavar, Brahmi Abhrak Bhasam, Swarn Makshik Bhasam, Yashad Bhasam, Mukta pisti, Praval pisti, Jaiphal, Vang Bhasam, Dalchini, Javitri, Gokhru, Kaunch Beej, Saunth, Mirch, Pipli, Amla, Kesar, Manjith, Anant Mool, Brahmi, Musali, Swarn Vang, etc. These ingredients show antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, immuno-modulator properties.  These tablets provide good results in General debility, Psychological disorders, and improves immunity.

Recommended Dosage: Take one tablet twice daily.

2. Stress care tablet:

It is an amazing combination of natural herbs like Sarpgandha, Brahmi, Tagar, jatamansi. It helps to relieve stress conditions. They help to pacify the nervous system and also help to increase mental and physical performance. In Ayurveda when there is an imbalance of three energies i.e. Vata, pitta, and Kapha, it leads to disease. Vata has a sub dosha named prana doshas which regulates the sensory perception, brain, and mind. Tarpak Kapha subtype of kapha, governs cerebrospinal fluid, sadhak pitta subtype of pitta doshas governs emotions and their impact on the heart. So any vitiation of these doshas leads to stress. It act as Anti-depressant, relieves Insomnia, Anxiety.

Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

3. Brain Relaxant Churna:

This churna is pure Ayurvedic which helps to rejuvenate the brain cells, improves memory, give strength to the body, & increases the concentration by calming down the brain. It is prepared from herbs that show calming effect on brain and gives you relaxation. Brain relaxant churna shows antioxidant, Neuroprotective, carminative and anti-inflammatory properties. Ingredients present in this churna are Amla (Emblica officinalis), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Marich (Piper nigrum), Haldi (Curcuma longa), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Suddha Gandhak, Lauha Bhasma. It helps to Maintain blood sugar level, Anti-depressant, Insomnia, Increase Haemoglobin levels, Cures indigestion, Helpful in Ulcerative colitis, and Nerve tonic. It helps in dealing with health conditions such as feeling delusion, hallucinations, disordered thinking, disabling, & impair daily functioning related to schizophrenia patients.

Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablespoon of this churna twice daily.

4. Mann Mitra tablet:

Mann Mitra tablet is herbal and purely ayurvedic medicine. It is used in Ayurvedic treatment for psychiatric conditions and help to balance all the three doshas of body i.e vata, pitta, kapha. CAC Mann Mitra tablet improves intelligence and speech problems. It is helpful for making the nervous system strong and nerves as well. It contains various herbs like Bala, Vacha, Shankhpushpi, Nagkeshar etc that help you fight insomnia, anxiety, and stress. It works as a antioxidant, anti depressant, immuno booster, anti epileptic and as neuro protective drug.

Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.