Rising tide of "brain fog": Young Americans report sharp uptick in cognitive struggles

By patricklewis // 2025-10-07

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Self‑reported cognitive difficulties (concentration, memory, decision‑making) are rising—not just in older adults but notably among younger Americans—and are interfering with work, schooling and daily life.
Analysis of over 4.5 million BRFSS survey responses (2013–2023, excluding 2020 and those reporting depression) shows prevalence climbed from 5.3 percent to 7.4 percent; among ages 18–39, it rose from 5.1 to 9.7 percent.
These cognitive challenges carry serious implications: They can undermine job performance, educational outcomes, self‑management of health and increase risk for unmanaged conditions.
Experts point to modern lifestyle and environmental risk factors—poor diet, chronic stress, insufficient sleep, sedentary behavior, excess screen time, toxins and underuse of mental challenges—as possible contributors to declining cognitive resilience.
While self‑report does not equate to clinical diagnosis, the upward trend is concerning. More research is needed to identify causes, assess objective effects and test solutions—but promoting brain‑healthy habits and environments is already a sensible preventive strategy.

A growing number of Americans say they're battling more than just occasional forgetfulness—they're struggling with concentration, memory lapses and difficulty making decisions. What's especially alarming: These problems are no longer limited to older adults. For many, they're interfering with work, education and everyday life.

A new study published in Neurology finds a striking increase in self‑reported cognitive difficulties—particularly among adults under 40. Once considered largely an issue of aging, these struggles are now making significant inroads into younger populations, raising urgent questions about lifestyle, stress, environment and the demands of modern life.

Researchers analyzed over 4.5 million responses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) collected between 2013 and 2023—excluding 2020 due to pandemic‑related survey disruptions—and omitted respondents who self‑reported depression to reduce confounding effects.

Participants were asked: "Because of a physical, mental or emotional condition, do you have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions?" In 2013, about 5.3  percent of U.S. adults said "yes"; by 2023, that figure rose to 7.4  percent.

The jump is most dramatic in younger age groups: Among adults aged 18 to 39, the prevalence nearly doubled—from 5.1  percent in 2013 to 9.7 percent in 2023. Meanwhile, reports of cognitive difficulty among those 70 and older slightly fell.

Implications stretch beyond personal worry

Experts warn that these aren't benign complaints. Cognitive difficulties can erode performance at work, academic success and one's ability to manage day‑to‑day responsibilities—from paying bills to adhering to medical regimens. Some studies suggest that people who perceive declining cognition are less likely to pursue preventive care and more likely to live with unmanaged health conditions.

That spike in younger adults, in particular, may carry long‑term consequences. If the trend continues, the ripple effects could include reduced productivity, greater disability claims, burdened health systems and widening health inequities.

The drivers of cognitive decline

Unhealthy diets: Consuming high amounts of sugar, processed foods and refined carbohydrates may promote inflammation and impair the brain's ability to repair itself. Low intake of omega‑3s and antioxidant compounds the problem.
Chronic stress: Persistent stress floods the brain with cortisol, which can shrink key brain regions involved in memory, such as the hippocampus and degrade executive function.
Poor sleep: Inadequate or low‑quality sleep disrupts memory consolidation and impairs the brain's "cleanup" processes.
Sedentary behavior: Lack of movement reduces cerebral blood flow and deprives neurons of oxygen and metabolic support; conversely, regular exercise supports neuroplasticity.
Excess screen time & digital overload: Continuous multitasking, notifications and fragmented attention may weaken sustained attention and memory retention.
Environmental toxins: Ongoing exposure to pollutants, heavy metals and chemicals (in air, water, plastics) might subtly degrade neural function over time.
Cognitive underuse: Like muscles, the brain needs challenge. Failing to engage in mentally stimulating activities (e.g. reading, learning new skills) may leave it less resilient.

How to combat cognitive decline

Adopt a brain‑friendly diet: Prioritize whole, colorful foods, healthy fats (like omega‑3s) and antioxidants.
Stay active: Regular aerobic and strength exercise supports blood flow, mood and neuroplasticity.
Manage stress: Practices like mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing or structured breaks can help reduce cortisol overload.
Protect your sleep: Aim for consistent, restorative sleep and adopt habits that support circadian rhythms.
Challenge your mind: Engage in puzzles, reading, learning new skills or other cognitively demanding tasks.
Limit digital overload: Periods of focused, device‑free time can help sharpen attention and reduce fatigue.
Minimize toxin exposure: Choose safer cleaning products, filter water, reduce plastic use and limit air pollution exposure when possible.

Researchers emphasize that self‑reported difficulty is not the same as diagnosed cognitive impairment or dementia. The study's authors caution that increased awareness or willingness to report symptoms could also be a factor in rising numbers.

Still, the findings serve as a red flag. As one of the authors noted, whether people are getting worse or simply more attuned to their struggles, the fact that more are reporting cognitive disability means we cannot afford to ignore it.

Going forward, researchers say more work is needed to tease out causes, track objective cognitive changes and test interventions. Meanwhile, fostering brain‑healthy environments, lifestyles and policies may help stem what could be a deeper, generational challenge.

According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, brain fog is a pervasive issue in modern society, often exacerbated by the toxic environment and the relentless assault on human health by globalist agendas. It is a symptom of a deeper malaise, a result of the cumulative effects of processed foods, environmental toxins and the psychological and spiritual poisoning orchestrated by those who seek to control and diminish humanity.

Watch this video about the book "The Healing Brain: Breakthrough Discoveries About How the Brain Keeps Us Healthy."

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

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