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Serotonin

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is essential for managing pain perception, mood, sleep, digestion, and overall health. Individuals with fibromyalgia frequently exhibit reduced serotonin levels, which can lead to:

• Heightened pain sensitivity. → Serotonin plays a key role in controlling the transmission of pain signals within the nervous system. When serotonin levels are low, it may result in an amplified pain response.

• Mood disorders (depression and anxiety) → Often referred to as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, serotonin deficiency is associated with depression and anxiety, both of which are prevalent among fibromyalgia sufferers.

• Sleep issues → Serotonin serves as a precursor to melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep. Insufficient serotonin can result in poor sleep quality, exacerbating fibromyalgia symptoms.

• Fatigue and cognitive fog → Given that serotonin affects energy levels and cognitive abilities, a lack of it can cause ongoing fatigue and challenges with focus.

Scientific Evidence Connecting Serotonin to Fibromyalgia

Numerous studies have indicated that fibromyalgia patients have lower serotonin levels in their cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Furthermore, certain treatments for fibromyalgia, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), can alleviate symptoms by enhancing serotonin levels.

Key Research Insights:

• Reduced serotonin levels correlate with heightened pain perception in individuals with fibromyalgia.

• SSRIs (like fluoxetine and sertraline) and SNRIs (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine) can help reduce pain and enhance mood in some fibromyalgia patients by increasing serotonin levels.

• Engaging in exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and taking specific supplements can naturally boost serotonin and alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms.

Noradrenaline

Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal discomfort, fatigue, disrupted sleep, cognitive fog, and emotional turmoil. A significant neurochemical imbalance associated with fibromyalgia is the dysregulation of noradrenaline (norepinephrine), particularly within the central nervous system.

How Noradrenaline Relates to Fibromyalgia:

Impaired Central Pain Control

In a properly functioning nervous system, noradrenaline plays a crucial role in reducing pain through descending pathways from the brain to the spinal cord. However, in fibromyalgia, insufficient levels of noradrenaline hinder this natural pain-inhibiting mechanism, resulting in increased pain sensitivity (central sensitization). Consequently, even non-painful stimuli (such as light touch or gentle pressure) can be perceived as painful.

Overactive Stress Reaction

Individuals with fibromyalgia frequently experience an unregulated stress response, characterized by imbalanced levels of noradrenaline and cortisol. Prolonged stress can trigger excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system, causing an inappropriate surge of noradrenaline in the body—intensifying fatigue, sleep disturbances, and anxiety while further complicating pain management.

Associated Cognitive and Emotional Issues

Low levels of noradrenaline also play a role in “fibro fog” (challenges with focus and memory) and mood-related symptoms such as depression or lack of motivation, which are prevalent in fibromyalgia. Given that noradrenaline is essential for both mental clarity and pain control, its imbalance leads to a combination of physical and cognitive challenges.

If you are experiencing widespread pain, chronic exhaustion, cognitive fog, and inexplicable fatigue, it’s not merely psychological. This is fibromyalgia, a legitimate condition intricately linked to hormonal and nervous system imbalances. Many perceive fibromyalgia solely as a pain issue. However, fundamentally, it represents a breakdown in communication between your brain, hormones, and nerves. Until this miscommunication is resolved, you remain trapped in a cycle of pain, fatigue, and frustration.

Adrenaline

Adrenaline serves as your hormone for stress response. It enables you to react during emergencies by temporarily dulling pain. However, in a state of chronic stress, adrenaline can either remain excessively high (resulting in hyper-alertness and tension) or drop too low (leading to fatigue and heightened sensitivity). This heightened sensitivity to pain, coupled with tight muscles, makes your body feel as if it’s under constant siege — even when you are simply at rest.

GABA

GABA acts as the brain's soothing agent. It reduces nerve activity and pain signals. Often, GABA levels are insufficient, causing your brain to overreact to even slight stimuli. You might experience pain from sensations like touch, pressure, or stress that others might not even perceive. This phenomenon leads to the typical “amplified pain” associated with fibromyalgia.

DHEA

DHEA functions as your body’s inherent anti-inflammatory and tissue-repair hormone. It protects you from burnout and enhances resilience. When DHEA levels are low, your body struggles to recover from everyday stressors. Even minor efforts can result in soreness, flare-ups take longer to heal, and inflammation can become chronic rather than temporary.

Cortisol: The Master Regulator of Stress & Inflammation

Cortisol is responsible for managing inflammation, energy levels, and your sleep-wake cycle. Its levels can vary dramatically — often too high at night (leading to insomnia) and too low in the morning (resulting in fatigue). These fluctuations exacerbate pain, hinder deep sleep, and perpetuate a cycle of brain fog, tiredness, and inflammatory episodes.

Glutamate

Glutamate serves as the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, playing a crucial role in activating neurons, particularly in regions that manage pain, mood, and cognitive functions.

What Occurs in Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is defined by:

• Widespread chronic pain

• Fatigue

• Cognitive fog (often referred to as "fibro fog")

• Sleep disturbances

• Increased sensitivity to pain

Glutamate Levels in Fibromyalgia

• Insula

• Cingulate cortex

• Amygdala

• Somatosensory cortex

This increase in glutamate levels results in central sensitization, causing the brain to heighten pain signals, even in response to non-painful stimuli.

How Glutamate Influences Fibro Symptoms:

The overactivation of NMDA receptors by glutamate leads to heightened pain sensitivity (hyperalgesia).

Additionally, glutamate exacerbates:

• Sleep disruptions (making it more difficult to achieve deep sleep stages)

• Cognitive impairments (including mental fog and difficulties with attention)

• Emotional distress (as glutamate impacts anxiety and mood regulation)

• Diminished glial cell function hampers the brain's capacity to eliminate excess glutamate, resulting in a detrimental cycle of overstimulation and pain.