Several months ago, I fixed dinner for my family and undercooked the manicotti, which got me all discombobulated. I said to them, “Just finish your burgers while I put this back in the oven.” My family sat in silence, looking at the pizza slices on their plates. “Burgers?” my husband and son asked. “I meant pizza — just eat!” I replied, now not only frustrated by my cooking skills but also by the inability of my brain to find and use the correct word.
Brain fog is real, and the best I can say about it is that it’s annoying. But why does it happen, what can we do about it, and how do we know when it’s time to see a doctor?
A puzzle of causes
As a woman in my 50s, hormones are part of my problem. Research from January 2026 out of the University of Cambridge suggests just how much. As researcher Barbara Sahakian says, “The brain takes quite a big hit during menopause.”
But there are other reasons for brain fog. Baptist Health neurologist Dr. Patrick Matthiessen says the most common causes in older adults are medications, inadequate sleep, and mood disorders such as depression.
There is often overlap between and among these things that can make it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. People in their 50s and 60s may be sandwiched between young adult children and aging parents, causing stress that worsens sleep and concentration. Older adults may also be taking on the role of caregiver with grandchildren, which can be a joy or an unanticipated responsibility.
Watch for warning lights
I often say one’s 50s are when the “check engine” lights come on with our bodies (and as a lady at my physical therapy responded, “They stay on in your 60s.”), so that, too, can be a source of stress and increased medication. None of us knows what the future holds and what medical conditions aging might bring to our door.
Managing stress and ensuring adequate sleep are important, but it never hurts to check in with your physician if you’re having brain fog symptoms. “Things like word-finding or forgetting why you walked into the next room can be normal as we age, but otherwise, thinking clearly should be expected,” says Dr. Matthiessen. “If these things are significantly interfering with daily activities, it is certainly a red flag.”
By Carrie Vittitoe
Leave a Reply