Serotoninergic and catecholaminergic systems in Fibromyalgia

Here's a simple explanation of the serotoninergic and catecholaminergic systems:

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🧠 Serotoninergic System

• This system involves the brain chemical serotonin.

• Serotonin helps regulate:

  • Mood (it’s sometimes called the “feel-good” chemical)

  • Sleep

  • Appetite

  • Pain perception

Think of serotonin as a calming, balancing chemical that helps you feel stable and content. In fibromyalgia, low levels of serotonin may make you more sensitive to pain and more likely to feel tired or anxious.

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⚡ Catecholaminergic System

• This system involves chemicals called catecholamines, mainly:

  • Dopamine

  • Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

  • Epinephrine (adrenaline)

These chemicals help control:

• Alertness and energy

• Mood

• Response to stress

• Attention and focus

They are like your brain’s “go” signals — helping you feel awake, motivated, and able to handle stress. In fibromyalgia, problems in this system may contribute to:

• Fatigue

• Brain fog

• Mood swings

• Heightened pain response

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🧩 Why This Matters in Fibromyalgia

Both of these systems help regulate how your brain and body handle pain, stress, and energy. If they aren’t working properly, it can lead to:

• Feeling more pain from things that shouldn’t hurt

• Trouble sleeping

• Feeling drained or foggy

• Mood problems like anxiety or depression

Researchers think that imbalances in these systems may be part of why people develop fibromyalgia.