“There are a number of cardiac causes of syncope or passing out,” says Donna P. Denier, MD, of The Cardiology Center with the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System. Neurological triggers such as intense levels of emotional stress, anxiety, fear, pain, panic, hyperventilation and hunger, alcohol and drug abuse can also lead to fainting. Brain fog is a symptom of another medical condition. Treatments for fainting and syncope. When they sober up, they can’t remember what happened while they were drunk. But blackouts can be very dangerous. Strokes and mini strokes (transient ischaemic attacks) can also result in a blackout. In this case, the term blackout refers to memory loss. What Causes a Person to Blackout? Many people with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience blackouts, among other symptoms. This is because the brain can’t form new memories when the alcohol in your blood reaches a certain level. A drug-related blackout is a phenomenon caused by the intake of any substance or medication in which short-term and long-term memory creation is impaired, therefore causing a complete inability to recall the past. The consequences may … ... – Psychogenic blackouts: resulting from stress or anxiety. Our bodies and brains are designed to handle short-term anxiety and stress with ease. Re: Blacking out as a result of depression/anxiety/stress? These blackouts may include flashbacks to a previous time in the person’s life, or they may involve a dissociation from reality. ... One can certainly blackout and cause severe … Whatever that cause of your friends frequent blackouts, it should be reported to whatever doctor is treating him. People can also black out because they have drunk a lot of alcohol. ... Consultation with a specialist will be necessary, though, if the cause of the syncope remains uncertain or if there are particularly concerning symptoms or there is a family history of a heart condition. Chronic Anxiety, Stress and Memory Loss. The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. There are people who actually believe that panic attacks can cause blackouts, well these people are on target - yes, yes panic and anxiety attacks can actually cause you to blackout and lose consciousness. Prolonged blackout, confusion after the event, incomplete recovery and tongue biting all suggest that the cause is not a simple faint. Blackouts are frequently described as having effects similar to that of anterograde amnesia, in which the subject cannot recall any events after the event that caused amnesia. Alcohol-related blackouts generally don’t cause more widespread loss of memory. It’s involves memory problems, a lack of mental clarity, and an inability to focus. What Heart Problems Can Cause Fainting? High levels of life stress and anxiety can cause memory loss symptoms. That’s because people who’ve blacked out don’t know what they are doing and may do things they otherwise wouldn’t. Blackouts Checklist . Blackouts caused by alcohol. If you’re having blackouts or feeling faint, the first thing you should do is have your heart checked out. While these experiences may be scary in the moment, you can control and even prevent them with the right treatment plan. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action.