Brain Fog / Reduced Mental Acuity / Difficulty Concentrating / Memory Loss / Forgetfulness / Speech Impediment / Confusion
Users on Reddit have reported a variety of cognitive side effects while taking GLP-1 medications, including brain fog, reduced mental acuity, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and confusion. Some users find these effects diminish over time or with certain interventions, while others find them persistent and debilitating.
Experiences with Brain Fog / Reduced Mental Acuity / Difficulty Concentrating / Memory Loss / Forgetfulness / Speech Impediment / Confusion:
A user with ADHD and Narcolepsy reported an interesting cognitive effect: "I struggle with brain fog, which I attributed to narcolepsy, but it has cleared up entirely! Even with the insomnia, I can think much clearer the next day, which never happened prior. My attention and focus have improved as well. "[1]
One user described their experience as "feeling like I was mentally and physically moving through water (best way I can describe it lol) went away after about 7-8 weeks. "[5] Another echoed this, stating, "This!! You described that perfectly, physically and mentally moving through water. Unshakable for me the whole time I was on it. After I tapered off , I immediately felt back to my old self. "[6]
A user reported feeling "a little bit stupid" in the initial weeks, but it improved by week 5: "Yes! I totally felt this - like I suddenly became a little bit stupid? It was worse in weeks 1-3 but now that I'm in week 5 it seems a LOT better, I tried the same stuff as you and i think the only thing that really helped was time. "[8]
Some users with pre-existing conditions like fibromyalgia report amplified brain fog. One user with fibromyalgia stated, "The pain, the headaches, nausea, brain fog and fatigue have been amplified like crazy. "[3]
Another user on Ozempic for 18 months still experiences "Fatigue, brain fog, palpitations, all of that. "[10]
A user mentioned vision issues and brain fog after eating carbs or sugar: "I notice that if I eat anything with a gram of carbs or sugar my vision becomes crazy mainly with depth perception problems and major brain fog that lasts for days. "[11]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Hydration and electrolytes: One user mentioned that for fatigue and brain fog, "Keep up on electrolytes. "[9] Another suggested, "Daily supplementation with a good B Complex and electrolytes can do wonders. Many folks perk up right away with this change. "[14]
Supplements:
Vitamin B supplements: "Yes. Vitamin b supplements and sugar free liquid IV helped a lot. "[15]
Iron supplementation: "Yeah, about 80% recovered -- it was mostly low iron. Iron supplementation cleared up most of the problem in days... Electrolytes and caffeine tablets help a lot too, but that... can't-get-out-of-bed exhaustion? Iron. "[16] Another user found this helpful: "OH! MY! GAWD!!! I’ve suffered from low ferritin levels before and never thought it could be low iron! BLESS YOU!! I really think this is what I’m dealing with! "[17]
Time and Dosage Adjustment:
Some users found that brain fog and related symptoms improved over time. One user stated it "went away after about 7-8 weeks. "[5] Another said it was "worse in weeks 1-3 but now that I'm in week 5 it seems a LOT better... i think the only thing that really helped was time. "[8]
Slowing down dose increases: "Also maybe slow your roll on how fast you go up in dose and how big those increments are. "[5]
Addressing Underlying Conditions: For users with ADHD, GLP-1s sometimes had a positive impact on focus and brain fog. [1]
It's important to note that some users experience a clearing of pre-existing brain fog, as one psychologist shared: "Cognitive: this for me has been the most interesting and unexpected effect. I struggle with brain fog, which I attributed to narcolepsy, but it has cleared up entirely! "[1] However, for others, particularly those with conditions like fibromyalgia, GLP-1s can amplify existing cognitive issues.
Experiences with Brain Fog / Reduced Mental Acuity / Difficulty Concentrating / Memory Loss / Forgetfulness / Speech Impediment / Confusion:
- Brain Fog and Cognitive Decline: Several users describe experiencing brain fog.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Dietary Adjustments & Hydration:
- Ensuring adequate calorie intake: "I made sure I wasn't eating at more than a reasonable calorie deficit and it went away"[12]
- Limiting carbohydrates: "I haven't had brain fog since I limited carbs to 20-30 a day.
It's important to note that some users experience a clearing of pre-existing brain fog, as one psychologist shared: "Cognitive: this for me has been the most interesting and unexpected effect. I struggle with brain fog, which I attributed to narcolepsy, but it has cleared up entirely! "[1] However, for others, particularly those with conditions like fibromyalgia, GLP-1s can amplify existing cognitive issues.