Is Brain Fog Contagious?

Mental fog can have a lot of causes, but one of the more surprising and distressing culprits is Lyme disease. Yes, the bite of an infected tick can lead not just to flu-like symptoms and fatigue, but also to grasping for words, forgetting directions moments after hearing them and a general sense of mental slowness.

Lyme is just one example of how protecting your brain is tied to bolstering your body’s immunity. This natural defense system is designed to fight off outside invaders like bacteria (the cause of Lyme), viruses and parasites. It also helps you tolerate allergenic triggers like pollen, peanuts and bee stings, as well as internal attacks from autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Treating infections and autoimmune disorders is an important and often overlooked path to a clearer, sharper memory. When you support your immune system, your reward is also better health and wellbeing and less fatigue.

Immunity and infection issues are addressed together in the Amen Clinics’ new BRIGHT MINDS Program, which identifies and treats the 11 risk factors that can rob you of your memory and cloud your mind. This breakthrough, science-backed program is the most effective way to better your brain, reverse forgetfulness and keep Alzheimer’s disease and dementia at bay.

The 11 risks are all contained in the words BRIGHT MINDS so you can recall them easily:

B – Blood Flow

R – Retirement/Aging

I – Inflammation

G – Genetics

H – Head Trauma

T – Toxins

M – Mental Health

I – Immunity/Infection Issues

N – Neurohormone Deficiencies

D – Diabesity

S – Sleep Issues

If your memory is foggy and you suspect an infection or immune system problem, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider and ask about these tests:

• Blood test for Vitamin D levels
• Screening for common infections, including Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease spirochete), HIV/AIDS, Helicobacter pylori, herpes simples 1 and 2, Epstein-Barr virus
• SPECT scan, if available

Take action to shore up your immune system with these simple steps:

Try an elimination diet for a month. This will tell you if you have food allergies, which could be harming your immune system:

• Avoid hiking where you could pick up a deer tick and be bitten—especially in Lyme endemic areas
• Limit alcohol to no more than two servings a week; alcohol upsets your gut microbiome, which is critical to healthy immunity
• Watch comedies or attend a comedy club—laughter boosts immunity
• Take a good multivitamin/mineral, vitamin D (to optimize your level), magnesium and an omega-3 EPA/DHA supplement daily
• Consider supplementing with vitamin C (up to 2,000 mg daily), aged garlic, therapeutic mushrooms, melatonin, zinc
• Eat more: raw, crushed garlic, onions, and shallots; fatty fish (salmon, sardines, tuna); eggs; mushrooms; beef liver; cod liver oil; oysters; beef; lamb; spinach; asparagus; sesame and pumpkin seeds
• Avoid: sugar, sodas, processed foods, foods high in omega-6 fatty acids

To learn even more strategies to reduce your BRIGHT MINDS risks, get a copy of my new book, Memory Rescue, available HERE. It covers the whole BRIGHT MINDS Program and includes all of the treatment recommendations and inspiring real people’s stories to get you (or a loved one) started today.

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About the Author:

Daniel G. Amen, M.D. is a double board-certified psychiatrist, professor and 10-time New York Times best-selling author. He is one of the world's foremost experts on using brain imaging tools to help optimize and treat patients. He is founder of Amen Clinics, which has the world’s largest database of functional brain scans relating to behavior.