Brain Fog from a TCM Perspective 

Brain fog is a phenomenon where the brain struggles to form clear thinking and memory. 

It is mostly a subjective experience, characterised by feelings of forgetfulness, lack of motivation, dizziness, mental emptiness, slow thinking, fatigue, shortness of breath, insomnia or excessive sleepiness, depression, anxiety, physical heaviness, etc.

However, the diagnosis of brain fog lacks specific physical indicators for diagnosis, and individual symptoms can vary significantly.

According to Chinese Medicine (CM) and acupuncture theory, the root cause of brain fog involves heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, and lungs.

Below are the main patterns of brain fog in CM and their respective symptoms, pulse, and tongue characteristics:

1. Brain Marrow Deficiency:

• Symptoms: Brain fog, tinnitus, dizziness, depression, blurred vision, insomnia, excessive sleepiness, forgetfulness.
• Pulse: Deep, thin, or weak.
• Tongue: Pale red with a thin coating.
• Acupuncture Treatment: Acupoints include DU-20, Si-Shen-Cong,  DU-16, DU-14, DU-4, KI-3, and GB-39. 

2. Brain Yang Qi Deficiency:

• Symptoms: Brain fog, depression, insomnia, excessive sleepiness, forgetfulness, aversion to cold in the body, cold hands and feet, mental fatigue, weakness.
• Pulse: Deep and weak.
• Tongue: Pale and white.
• Acupuncture Treatment: DU-20, DU-14, DU-16, DU-9.

3. Heart Shen Disorder:

• Symptoms: Brain fog, depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, decreased appetite.
• Pulse: Taut, slow or rapid or alternating
• Tongue: Pale red.
• Acupuncture Treatment: DU-24, DU-20, DU-16, DU-14, Yin Tang, and HT-7.

4. Brain Meridian Obstruction:

• Symptoms: Brain fog, pulsating hedache or post-stroke 
• Pulse: Taut and unsmooth, may be deep
• Tongue: Pale red with purple or stasis spots.
• Acupuncture Treatment: DU-20, Si-Shen-Cong, DU-16, DU-14, GB-20, and LI-4

Scalp Acupuncture Treatment:

1. Sensory Area: Lower sensory area selected to address brain fog symptoms.
2. Vestibular Area: Targeted to treat conditions like tinnitus, hearing loss, and dizziness.
3. Emotional Area: Targets emotional disorders, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and memory decline.
4. Head Area: Treats facial midline and related issues.
5. Central Area: Addresses headaches, dizziness, emotional disorders, frequent urination, and more.

If you are seeking a holistic solution to combat brain fog, please talk to our licensed and registered acupuncturists at Acupuncture Medicine South Melbourne, where we will provide personalised treatments to suit your individual conditions.

*** The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please read about the terms and conditions.