Brain sluggishness, any fix or cure?

[brandonb]

Over the years I've noticed my mental capacity starting to diminish. I like to call this "getting older." But probably started slightly when I was 25, and really noticed it by age 27. I haven't noticed it getting much worse since 27, but I still feel a bit "slow" up there in the noggin compared to what it was like when I was in high school. Is there any fix/cure or techniques to help that?

I was thinking of some detoxing routine or doing a water type diet to try to clean out my system to see if it helps but I don't know if that would be better or worse for me. Is there any sort of vitamins or anything to try?

 

[Patt]

Are you as active as you used to be? I'm 32 as well, and really notice the difference between being active and sedentary in terms of cognitive function. I'm way more alert, memory seems better etc. when I'm exercising regularly.

 

[brandonb]

I've exercised more in the last year than I ever have in my life. While I notice some improvement with my body and I feel a ton better, I still feel a bit of a slow down in my cognitive function. Thats why I'm trying to find things to help there.

 

[Safeway]

Take some stimulants.

 

[magomago]

beyond just exercising your body (Which is necessary) do you exercise your "mind"? Are you constantly reading, and engaged in other forms of learning? That is really important for the brain...

Its amazing how I've noticed people who never stop learning (ex: Professors at colleges who are still researching, although this isn't the only class) can be 70-80+ and still sharp as a tack, while I've seen guys in their 40s have amazingly reduced mental capacity.

I guess if you want quick and cheap thrills try those Nintendo DS games like Brain Age. It probably isn't scientifically proven, but its a good excuse to spend money on fun games But to seriously reduce this you should start stimulating your brain more often and challenging it (ie: learning of some sort be it art, or photograhy, or sciences and math or heavy amounts of reading)

 

[edcarman]

Magomago is right. Like the muscles in your body, your brain needs 'training' and stimulation to keep in top shape.
Studies of 70-80 year olds have shown that those who kept their minds active by reading, doing brainteasers etc. and generally acquiring new knowledge showed significantly improved cognitive capacity and reduced signs of senility over those who kept on doing the same thing day in and day out.

Go out and do some crosswords or Sudoku puzzles or read some books - just do something to shift your brain out of its comfort zone.

 

[wwswimming]

exercise, to sweat out toxins. exercise that helps you relax.

diet - 8-12 fruits & vegetables every day.

when i was in San Diego, i met a guy who came up to me at the gym and
said i "changed his life". seems he saw me stretching, and decided to try
it, started taking yoga classes.

at the same time he had his own Internet start-up to deal with. he used
yoga to help him deal with the sometimes-overwhelming stress.

i'm not suggesting hot-room Bikram style yoga.

 

[jiggahertz]

OP, what do you do for work? Is it something that is mentally stimulating for you? If not, you'll want to find something that is outside of work that you are interested in.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I'm 41, and sometimes I feel like someone drugged me while I was sleeping. I wake up and I am lethargic and me brain is on pause. I take a men's multi-vitamin, fish oil and flax oil caps, drink a protein shake, and start savoring a 16oz mug of my favorite organic coffee, and with-in 60-90 minutes I feel like I'm 25 again. I also agree, even our minds are a case of "use it or lose it", proper diet, and exercises for your mind, are essential to keeping it hitting on all the metaphorical cylinders. If you are getting drunk frequently, smoking weed, or anything like that, stop immediately of course.

 

[irishScott]

Anything good for the arteries is good for your brain. Period. You'll get more energy, stamina, which increases alertness. That said, the Brain is very much a "use it or lose it" organ. If you don't keep it stimulated (puzzles, school, intellectual job, etc), it will decay and you will get slower. Best nutrition/fitness in the world won't stop that.

 

[brandonb]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz
OP, what do you do for work? Is it something that is mentally stimulating for you? If not, you'll want to find something that is outside of work that you are interested in.

I'm a software engineer. I write code all day. It can be mentally stimulating trying to figure out problems/bugs and all.

In a way I think it is a use it or lose it situation. There's time I have to do simple math (7*9) and I can't think of the answer. 63? Took me along time to figure it out, I thought it was 49 then 56 then I had to think "ok (7 * 10) = 70 - (1 * 7) due to the 9" ... That should have come sooner

I think I will try some Brainage or Suduko or something to try to exercise the brain.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: brandonb

Originally posted by: jiggahertz
OP, what do you do for work? Is it something that is mentally stimulating for you? If not, you'll want to find something that is outside of work that you are interested in.

I'm a software engineer. I write code all day. It can be mentally stimulating trying to figure out problems/bugs and all.

In a way I think it is a use it or lose it situation. There's time I have to do simple math (7*9) and I can't think of the answer. 63? Took me along time to figure it out, I thought it was 49 then 56 then I had to think "ok (7 * 10) = 70 - (1 * 7) due to the 9" ... That should have come sooner

I think I will try some Brainage or Suduko or something to try to exercise the brain.

Use it or lose it is correct. Look at the ATOT thread "60% of young adult females unable to do simple mathematics". That is a very one-sided thread, because the same can probably be said for men.

I'm sure you aren't slow when you write code. I'm sure you aren't slow when dealing with complicated iterations. How often do you need to calculate multiples in your head? As a programmer, you probably just write x = y * z;

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: brandonb

Originally posted by: jiggahertz
OP, what do you do for work? Is it something that is mentally stimulating for you? If not, you'll want to find something that is outside of work that you are interested in.

I'm a software engineer. I write code all day. It can be mentally stimulating trying to figure out problems/bugs and all.

In a way I think it is a use it or lose it situation. There's time I have to do simple math (7*9) and I can't think of the answer. 63? Took me along time to figure it out, I thought it was 49 then 56 then I had to think "ok (7 * 10) = 70 - (1 * 7) due to the 9" ... That should have come sooner

I think I will try some Brainage or Suduko or something to try to exercise the brain.

That'll definitely help, but since you're already getting a good amount of stimulation from the sounds of it, I'd go for more exercise. The additional energy will make things click much faster.

 

[sash1]

Brain Age ftw

 

[Czar]

Seems this article is written just for you


11 Ways To Expand Your Mind And Recover From Brain Rot
http://zenhabits.net/2008/02/1...ecover-from-brain-rot/

 

[wwswimming]

when i was in my 20's, i could get up, drink a quart of coffee with honey, do lots
of pencil pushing for corporate America, go to the gym for 2 hours, then drink
a bottle of champagne with a friend and go out and have a 2 pound steak, and
sleep just fine.

now i find i have to eat much more regularly, like every 3 hours in the morning,
maybe less later in the day.

if eating a chocolate bar, for example a king size Reese's peanut butter cup,
which is 4 large cups with 140 calories each, makes you feel better when you're
feeling slow, it's a sign that something related to your blood sugar might be
impacting you.

i had this happen with another friend. he got to about 30 or 35 and found
out that he had to eat more often, and it had an official name in his case,
hypoglycemia.

 

[yelo333]

OP, are you getting a sufficient amount of sleep?

I'd suggest adding an hour or so to your sleep time for a couple weeks, and see if you don't feel more alert. Insufficient sleep can make you less alert, but not enough for you to actually notice anything.

Note that this doesn't have to be 8 hours -- it all depends on you. Experiment!

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
I'm 41, and sometimes I feel like someone drugged me while I was sleeping. I wake up and I am lethargic and me brain is on pause. I take a men's multi-vitamin, fish oil and flax oil caps, drink a protein shake, and start savoring a 16oz mug of my favorite organic coffee, and with-in 60-90 minutes I feel like I'm 25 again. I also agree, even our minds are a case of "use it or lose it", proper diet, and exercises for your mind, are essential to keeping it hitting on all the metaphorical cylinders. If you are getting drunk frequently, smoking weed, or anything like that, stop immediately of course.

..age related "brain fog". Takes longer to wake up in the morn. I know the feeling. Lots of discussion around the net on it's cause and cure.

 

[marvdmartian]

1. exercise the brain......and that doesn't just mean perusing the tv guide to figure out what you're going to watch on the boob tube

2. give up the internet pron......it rots the brain!!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: IGBT


..age related "brain fog". Takes longer to wake up in the morn. I know the feeling. Lots of discussion around the net on it's cause and cure.

Ah, well, good to know that I am not alone. If anyone has a faster way to get going in the a.m. without overdoing stims, I'm all ears.

On the upside, at least it isn't a "brain cloud" <--Name that movie

 

[gururu2]

everyone is different. half a cup of coffee still kicks my ass and 3 meals a day is more than plenty. moderate exercise and the gift of REM definitely keep the mind sharp.

 

[IGBT]

Brain fog is a term for the "woolly" sensation of a physical obstruction to clear thinking in the brain, often extended to apply in general to neurocognitive symptoms experienced by many people who suffer from diseases such as ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, amongst others. Brain fog is thought to represent a psychological response to stress.

It can be symptom manifest of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or clinical depression.

The term brain fog is also often used to describe the relevant symptom or symptoms of inattentive ADHD or resulting from chemotherapy.[1].

Brain fog involves persistent or episodic cognitive dysfunction, and may be associated with forgetfulness, confusion, slowed thinking, distractability, depersonalization, the inability to remember the correct words when speaking or writing (dysphasia or aphasia).

Brain fog is so named because the sufferer can feel like a cloud literally surrounds him or her that reduces the speed at which things can be recognized or clearly seen. Brain fog may promote feelings of detachment (depersonalization), discouragement and depression.












http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_fog

 

[slightlyhuman]

find a new hobby that requires mind and body.

i skateboard as much as i can. i even have a mini trampoline by my workout bench with a blank deck(no trucks/wheels) so practice on. it gives amazing cardio believe it or not.

also, wakeskating when it's warmer.

you could even try wakeboarding if you have the resources. EXCELLENT work out.