A new study has found that seven in 10 young people have reported suffering from "brain fog". The study found 70% of people aged 18 to 34 lose their train of thought around 21 times a day.
Over half the same group also said their memory has become worse over the past two years. It has meant two-thirds struggle with feeling sharp or alert, meaning their ability to solve problems decreases.
The study, commissioned by FutureYou Cambridge, found brain fog is more prevalent in young people than ever before. Its symptoms general include poor concentration, thinking more slowly, and generally fuzzy thoughts.
Alongside the diagnoses, over the past two years in particular, 36% of young adults have admitted to struggling with general anxiety, 30% feeling unhappy, and 29% being unsatisfied with life. According to the survey a further six in 10 say they have found it challenging to support their physical and/or brain health and mental clarity of late.
The study revealed that 54% of 18-34-year-olds think their memory has got worse over the previous two years, with tasks (27%) and general details (25%) the toughest to remember. Aidan Goggins, an award-winning Pharmacist and Nutritionsist who sits on the Advisory Board of FutureYou Cambridge, said: “The research effectively shows the ‘mind wandering’ phenomenon.
This is where the hyperstimulation and increased demands in our lives actually cause us to suffer more cognitive failures. This includes attention and memory lapses which can often lead to negative effects on our feelings and behaviour.”
The new research also highlighted that, on average, 18-34-year-olds are losing their train of thought up to 21 times a day – more often than any other age group - with over a quarter (28%) feeling anxious when they forget things. In general, young adults also worry about things they’re not able to do (31%), and have experienced feeling like they should be having more fun (29%) in recent years. To combat this, for a third, walking is the remedy.
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Aidan added: “Mind wandering is so common that it’s the fastest-growing cognitive science research area. Reducing time scrolling on social media platforms, spending time in nature, having a clear disconnect from the workplace, especially if working from home, and putting your phone in a different room to where you sleep all improve our environment to stop mind wandering.”
The new research also highlighted that, on average, 18-34-year-olds are losing their train of thought up to 21 times a day – more often than any other age group - with over a quarter (28%) feeling anxious when they forget things. In general, young adults also worry about things they’re not able to do (31%), and have experienced feeling like they should be having more fun (29%) in recent years. To combat this, for a third, walking is the remedy.
