Brain Fog, Memory Problems and those Senior Moments

Misplaced car keys?  Forgetting words? Losing your train of thought?  Whether you call it brain fog, spaciness or flippantly refer to it as a senior moment - it’s irritating and can be debilitating. Regardless of what you call it, feeling like you are literally losing your mind is no fun at all!

Forgetfulness and memory problems increase with age and are associated with older people. However as the article states below, memory and cognitive function peaks at 22 and begins to decline at age 27. 
Old age begins at 27: Scientists reveal new research into aging

Many things can have an effect on brain function and create a sense of spaciness. Stress can feel like it’s literally eating your brain. Illness can affect mental capabilities, for instance brain fog is very common in fibromyalgia sufferers.

One product I’ve tried that seems to help make me feel more mentally alert is Neuro Optimizer by Jarrow. I just ordered a new product called MindRX by Advance Physician Formulas. I’ll let you know if that seems to work any better. One other product I just started taking is Ashwagandha which in studies has been shown to boost cognitive function. Here is some info.

Ashwagandha and brain health

“Ashwagandha is used in India to treat mental deficits in geriatric patients, including amnesia. Researchers from the University of Leipzig in Germany wanted to find out which neurotransmitters were influenced by ashwagandha herb… The researchers say, “The drug-induced increase in acetylcholine receptor capacity might partly explain the cognition-enhancing and memory-improving effects of extracts from ashwagandha observed in animals and humans.”

A study done in 1991 at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center indicated that extracts of ashwagandha had GABA-like activity. This may account for this herb’s anti-anxiety effects.

A 2002 laboratory study indicates ashwagandha extract stimulates the growth of axons and dendrites. A 2001 study in rodents showed ashwagandha extract had memory boosting ability. A 2000 study with rodents showed ashwagandha extract to have anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects.”

Anatomy of Depression - Depression Symptoms & Treatment

Depression is prevalent in our society and affects the majority of our population at some point in time. But when it becomes ongoing, persistent and painful - interfering with normal activity - it can be truly debilitating.

Following is the personal story of one person’s fight with depression as told by his psychiatrist. I wanted to share it because it illustrates so well how panic, stress, depression, medication, diet and supplementation can all interact. I like this story too because it ends on a positive note and shares what helped this person get better.

The Anatomy of a Depression: Part I Robert J. Hedaya, M.D., D.F.A.P.A., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry.

“GOAL: The person with depression is in a complex homeostatic state, albeit a disturbed, negative, painful one. The task of the clinician is to develop an understanding of the homeostatic processes (social, biological, etc) involved, and the nodal points that require intervention. The clinician must then intervene at as many of these points as possible, at the same time, to re-establish a new more functional equilibrium…

BEN’S STORY: In June of 1985, Benjamin sat in the corner seat of my waiting room, feeling distraught and humiliated. Recently released after three weeks on “the psych ward” at McLean Hospital, this rejection-sensitive young man was still highly anxious, experiencing panic, hopelessness and suicidal ideation. His pain was poorly disguised by a thin veneer of quick humor.”

Read the rest of Part one, then read The Anatomy of a Depression: Part II

Depression Symptoms and Treatment Resources

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.

WebMD Depression Center: Symptoms, Causes, Medications, and Therapies

Depression Causes, Treatment, Symptoms at Medicinenet

Fibromyalgia Pain and Depression Treatment with Antidepressants

Fibromyalgia sufferers know that depression usually goes hand in hand with the pain and suffering of the condition. Here is some information about new studies that show the effectiveness of certain antidepressants on fibromyalgia symptoms.

Antidepressants vs. Fibromyalgia

“Researchers examined 18 studies involving 1,427 fibromyalgia patients taking different classes of antidepressants, including low doses of tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

The researchers used a standardized model to assess the effectiveness of the medications on common fibromyalgia symptoms, including pain, sleeplessness, fatigue, and depressed mood.

Among the major findings: More…

Pain is my Friend

.
Pain is my friend. He’s with me almost all the time…  He’s so familiar, he’s almost part of me.

I figure why fight pain? So I try to make it a good thing. Acceptance is good right? Maybe it will make the pain easier to deal with.

Sometimes when pain leaves me it feels odd, like an important part of me is missing. Often, I even miss him when he’s gone. Because feeling pain is better than feeling nothing at all.

OK sorry, now I’m being depressing. Knock it off!!!

Back on a more positive note, I do think trying to make friends with your pain is better than fighting it.

It’s like that irritating relative you can’t stand to be in the same room with, but you have to be because it’s Christmas so you have to be nice. If you can get to a place of tolerance, let their rude comments just roll off your back instead of fighting them, it’s easier. Less friction. Acceptance is good right? Maybe it will make the jerk easier to deal with.

So that’s the lesson for today. Accept your pain. Make it your friend. Don’t fight it!

Sugar Addiction - Research Shows Sugar is Addictive

Sugar is addictive? Well I could have told you that and I’m not even a Princeton scientist! I definitely have a problem with sugar but it’s the opposite of most people. Instead of making me hyper it crashes me out.  I feel like I’m allergic to it, yet I crave it. Very much like some people describe their addiction to alcohol.  In fact sugar binges have replaced alcohol binging in many recovered alcoholics.

When I have a sugar binge I get a bit of a high and can feel my brain chemistry change. According to the research below, I guess it’s the dopamine. Dopamine is a “feel good” brain chemical and is even behind compulsions like gambling, smoking and binge eating. If you ever feel like you ‘NEED’ another fix… of ANYTHING, dopamine is probably at work, training you like Pavlov’s dog that you need more.

Are you a sugar addict too???

Bart Hoebel and researchers in the department of psychology and the Princeton Neuroscience Institute did research that suggests or maybe even proves that sugar is an addictive substance and it affects rats similarly to how drugs and alcohol impact humans.

Sugar addiction in rats may shed light on human behavior

“In certain models, sugar-bingeing causes long-lasting effects in the brain and increases the inclination to take other drugs of abuse, such as alcohol,” Hoebel explained in a University statement. He said that the behavioral study was carried out in addition to a neuroscientific approach, in which he and his team observed the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in reward motivation. Repeated release of dopamine, which precipitates a rewiring of the rats’ brain, is believed to cause addiction.”

Anxiety Disorders - Anxiety Medications

Anxiety and fear are often used to describe the same thing. When the word “anxiety” is used to describe mental illness it’s typically referred to as an anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety. In this context it refers to an overriding emotional tension or feeling of fear and dread that has no apparent identifiable cause. Anxiety disorders include phobias, panic attacks, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), social anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.

Anxiety disorders often are accompanied by depression and can be severe enough to interfere with social interaction or can affect job performance. Physical symptoms can include racing or hard beating heart, perspiration, shakiness, feeling hyper or jittery similar to a caffeine rush. Emotionally, anxiety can make you feel scared, immobilized, stuck and make it difficult to concentrate, like your brain chemicals are going haywire. In a sense they are. That’s what anxiety does it causes your brain chemicals to be imbalanced and unstable.

Common anxiety medications a Dr. may prescribe include Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil, Klonopin, Zoloft, Prozac, Valium and Zanax. Behavorial therapy and psychotherapy are often advised. There are also some natural remedies such as homeopathics and herbal supplements that some people say can give some relief.

« Previous Page