Is Your Brain Fog Caused by Gut Inflammation?

Brain fog, forgetfulness, “mom-brain,” being easily distracted…

Call it what you want, we have all been there.

But just because we all know the feeling does NOT mean it has to be normal for you.

Truth time – there is an imbalance in your body that is causing you to feel the way that you are. And guess where the root cause of this nuisance is?

Your gut.

Yup! Gut health is a biggie when it comes to causing brain fog. When your digestive system is out of whack, you don’t get all the energy you need from the food you are eating, leaving you with nasty symptoms of fatigue, overwhelm, and confusion. (1)

Thankfully, you can reverse this! I am living proof that making some small adjustments can nix that brain fog and get your body back on track!

Get ready to feel sharp, alert, energized, and focused again!

HAPPINESS COMES FROM YOUR GUT

The gut-brain connection is getting a lot of attention these days, and for good reason. A majority of your body’s neurons outside your brain are located in your intestines, and these neurons play an important role in keeping your body in balance. These gut nerves produce the majority of the serotonin that circulates in your system, keeping you happy, spunky, and thinking clearly. (2)

If it is lacking, though, you may notice brain fog setting in, along with depression, anxiety, and trouble remembering things. This is where the problem crops up because most people think the problem is the other way around. Doctors may even try to treat the symptoms of depression before they realize that the brain fog is a key symptom that you have a gut imbalance.

Keeping a healthy gut will help make sure you have enough serotonin to keep your mood stable, improve your memory, and clear your mind! Check out my blog on the Top 5 Gut Fixes to Improve Your Mood for more tips and tricks!

CORRECT YOUR MICROBIOME

All of those bacteria that call your gut their home do a lot to help you feel your best. Studies show a connection between the health of your microbiome and your mental health, along with your ability to think, process, and remember. (3)

So, what makes the microbiome implode? Either the presence of unhealthy bacteria or not enough healthy bacteria throws off this balance, allowing the fog to roll on in.

Unfortunately, there is no one-stop-shop answer to correcting your microbiome. Probiotics help, but you should use them along with healthy, whole foods (including a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and fiber) and be sure your medications aren’t adversely affecting your balance of healthy bacteria.

Intermittent fasting may also help, as it allows your body to naturally process everything you are taking in. And get some ZZZs, girl! Your body needs to reset each day.

Check out my best-selling book, The Essential Oils Hormone Solution, for a gut rescue plan to help get you back on track and feeling your best!

GIVE YOUR GUT A BREAK

Stress, whether it is physical or emotional, takes its toll on your gut. Constant snacking puts physical stress on your system, which can lead to extra inflammation. Inflammation can also come from specific foods that you eat (sugars, carbs, foods you are sensitive to) or hidden infections or parasites.

Studies show that people who eat diets high in refined carbs have altered brain chemistry and a lower ability to access memories and process information. (4) As tempting as that sugary candy bar or coffee drink is when you hit a mid-day slump, fueling yourself on sugar is only making your brain fog worse.

If your gut is inflamed, your brain is probably suffering too, so finding your triggers and removing them completely could make a huge difference in your ability to think clearly! (5) Otherwise, you may find yourself caught in a downward spiral of snack hell!

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

Emotional stress can make your microbiome unhealthy and keep your gut from producing the mood-stabilizing, mind-boosting chemicals like serotonin that you need so badly. (6) This is one reason why I am so passionate about self-care.

Self-care is NOT SELFISH! It is the best thing you can do for just about every one of your body’s systems!

Here are some ideas you can build into your routine to really focus on caring for your gut:

#1 – Keep a food journal

Write down what you eat and when, how you feel during and after eating, and any patterns that you are starting to see. This can really help you identify your trigger foods and is a good practice to add to your healing journey!

I included a food choices section in my Daily Self-Care Journal to make it easy to track your healthy food choices and set daily goals for yourself. Check it out here!

#2 – Practice mindfulness

Make yourself present. Being aware of what you are eating by getting rid of meal-time distractions will help you slow down, CHEW YOUR FOOD, and make wiser food choices. Working meditation, prayer, and yoga or other exercises into your routine will also help reduce your stress levels and help your circulation so your gut is getting all it needs.

#3 – Use essential oils

You all know I love my oils, and they can be so beneficial for your gut health! Here are some of my favorites. Using these, along with stress-reducing oils like Lavender, Wild Orange, and Frankincense can help ground you, keep you calm, and improve the health of your gut!

SUPPORTING YOUR GUT CAN BE EASY

While I previously mentioned that there is no one-stop shop for correcting your microbiome, by making a few small changes, you can be on the fast track to a healthy, happy microbiome and better brain function in no time.

Just Thrive is a spore-based probiotic, which means it contains strains of beneficial bacteria that are naturally designed to survive harsh conditions—including your stomach acid.

This makes them significantly more effective than traditional probiotics. In fact, studies show spore-based strains can arrive in the gut 100% alive, where they can colonize, support, and even retrain your microbiome to thrive again.

Here’s what makes Just Thrive different:

✔ Contains clinically proven spore-forming strains (like Bacillus indicus HU36)
✔ Survives heat, stomach acid, and bile—no refrigeration needed
✔ Safe and effective for all ages (including kids!)
✔ Helps reduce bloating, support digestion, and boost immune function
✔ Can be added to smoothies, coffee, or even baked into recipes without losing potency

🎧 More on this in Episode 635: The Connection Between Your Gut, Inflammation, Mood, and How to Start Healing Your Microbiome with Tina Anderson

Get my discount of 20% off Just Thrive here >>

THE BOTTOM LINE

Staying dedicated to naturally improving and optimizing your health is one of the most important things you can do. Remember to take a moment to pat yourself on the back for how far you’ve come and a job well done!

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References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2680051/
2. https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/microbes-help-produce-serotonin-gut-46495
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275278436_Systemic_effects_of_gut_microbiota_and_its_relationship_with_disease_and_modulation
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12088740
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4490655/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20941511