How Does Brain Fog Develop And How Can We Treat It?

Brain fog can make simple tasks feel uphill, even when your test results look “normal.” We go straight at the gap between how your brain performs on paper and how it feels in real life, unpacking the real drivers of fog—sleep disruption, hormonal changes, inflammation, metabolic issues, chemo brain, long COVID, and chronic stress—and what actually helps. With Dr. Heather Putney’s clinical lens, we connect everyday symptoms like slower thinking and mental fatigue to the underlying network patterns that shape speed, attention, and focus.

We explore why deep sleep is the brain’s rinse cycle and how late caffeine, screens, sleep apnea, and restless legs push you into a wired-but-tired state. You’ll hear how we triage sleep first with smart hygiene and referrals for studies, then layer in targeted neurotherapy to nudge the brain toward healthier rhythms. We break down chemo brain in plain language: stiffer resting-state activity, sluggish default mode network responses, and oxidative stress. Then we show how photobiomodulation increases ATP, improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and supports neurogenesis, making cognition feel lighter and quicker.

Hormones get real attention too—from pregnancy and postpartum shifts to perimenopause and menopause. Estrogen supports brain energy and memory regions, so its swings can dull recall and speed. We talk about coordinating with your doctors, checking thyroid and other metabolic markers, and using neuromodulation to send energy where it’s needed most. Finally, we answer a big question: does how long you’ve had brain fog determine recovery time? Not necessarily. Brain energy and responsiveness set the pace, and with the right inputs, even long-standing fog can lift.

If you’re ready to feel clear, focused, and energized again, follow the show for more brain-forward tools, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find us. Your brain is built to power you forward—let’s help it do its job.

To learn more about Transformative Neurotherapy visit:
https://www.TransformativeNeurotherapy.org
Transformative Neurotherapy
570 Lincoln Ave.
Bellevue, PA 15202
412-204-7397