“Long COVID” refers to long-term effects from infection by the COVID virus. Long COVID can affect nearly every organ system, and patients can present with a host of symptoms. In terms of neuropsychiatric symptoms, patients commonly report intense fatigue, brain fog, lack of motivation, and difficulty with memory.

Long COVID continues to be a mysterious illness, but researchers may have a possible explanation for why long COVID develops. In a study published in Cell, researchers discovered that patients with long COVID exhibited lower circulating levels of serotonin. They presented several reasons for the low serotonin, including decreased absorption via intestinal lining. Decreased serotonin impacted the vagus nerve’s proper functioning long term, which in turn led to problems with memory.

As more is learned about Long Covid, patients don’t have to suffer alone. The team of CalPsychiatry’s collaborative psychiatrists include Juliet Morgan, M.D., a psychiatrist with a focus in integrative medicine and author of Long Illness: A Practical Guide to Surviving, Healing and Thriving. Call or book your free consultation today.