Why It’s Harder for Brain to Work When You’re Tired

Cognitive fatigue is viewed as an inflated cost of cognitive control. It is characterized by more impulsive decisions in which people lose the ability to manage their brain processes as easily and make more spur-of-the-moment judgments. It suggests that using your brain exhausts you all day and makes it more challenging to make important decisions.

What Is Cognitive Fatigue?

Cognitive fatigue is just tiredness. However, it is mental exhaustion rather than physical fatigue.

It occurs when we must use our heads for extended periods of time, whether it is while researching, writing an article, making a timetable, or reading a book.

In essence, cognitive fatigue happens any time your brain is engaged. When cognitive tiredness sets in, even the simplest mental task becomes difficult.

According to Dr. Catherine Huckle, a clinical psychologist at the University of Surrey, cognitive fatigue occurs when we are subjected to several persistent demands on our thinking.

Reasons Why People Experience Cognitive Fatigue

The study published in the journal Current Biology found that scientists have a variety of theories as to why people experience cognitive weariness.

According to Mathias Pessiglione of Pitié-Salpêtrière University in Paris, France, one theory is that the brain deliberately causes us to quit what we are doing and switch to a more satisfying activity.

Pessiglione said their research demonstrates that cognitive activity causes real functional change and the accumulation of toxic compounds. As a result, weariness would signal to cease working, but for a different reason - to maintain the integrity of brain functioning.

Too Much Glutamate in the Brain Causes Ineffective Brain Function

The lateral prefrontal cortex, which is in charge of judgment and problem-solving, was shown to have higher glutamate after several hours of challenging work.

Glutamate is the most prevalent excitatory neurotransmitter the brain's nerve cells emit, according to Cleaveland Clinic. It is important for memory and learning. Glutamate must be present in the appropriate amounts in the right locations at the right times for the brain to work effectively.

Brain cell death or injury can result from too much glutamate in the wrong region, at the incorrect concentration, for too long. It has been linked to illnesses including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's disease.

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ALSO READ: Why Thinking Too Much Is Exhausting? Mental Fatigue Due to Toxic Buildup of Chemical in Brain, Study Claims

How to Eliminate Glutamate in the Brain

The secret is to rely on an age-old remedy, rest. Rather than even asking oneself how tired you are, the results of the subjective reporting measure showed a difference between how fatigued participants reported feeling and other cognitive function measures.

In the statement, Pessiglione said he would use the old recipe, rest and sleep. There is strong proof that glutamate is removed from synapses as you sleep.

According to Phillip Ackerman, a psychology professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, engaging in enjoyable activities makes you less prone to experiencing cognitive tiredness than engaging in boring activities.

Very Well Health's post stated that vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids help lower glutamate levels. However, supplements in capsules have gelatin that should be avoided. Choosing real food sources or liquid supplements is advisable.