Increased sensitivity to pain

Restlessness

Peripheral Sensitization – Increases Pain

In areas of injury or inflammation, noradrenaline can sensitize nerve endings, making them more responsive to pain signals. This happens through the activation of certain adrenergic receptors on pain-sensing neurons, which lowers the threshold for pain and increases the intensity of perceived pain—especially in conditions involving chronic stress, inflammation, or nerve damage.

Central Modulation – Reduces Pain

In contrast, within the brain and spinal cord, noradrenaline often has an inhibitory effect on pain. It works via descending pain pathways (especially from the brainstem), helping to suppress incoming pain signals before they reach full perception. This is part of the body's built-in pain-control system. Certain antidepressants (like SNRIs) enhance noradrenaline in the CNS to relieve chronic pain.

Stress-Pain Loop

During acute stress, a short burst of noradrenaline may actually dull pain temporarily to allow for survival (the “fight or flight” advantage). But under chronic stress, constantly elevated noradrenaline levels can amplify pain and lead to disorders like fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and tension-type headaches.

Pain that won’t go away?

Tension that keeps building up?

A body that aches for no clear reason?

You're not imagining it. And it’s not just physical. The truth is that your pain may be hormonal.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

Adrenaline is your body’s “fight or flight” hormone. In acute situations, it boosts energy and alertness and temporarily blocks pain. It’s your body’s way of saying, “We’ll deal with the pain later. In chronic stress or burnout, your body overproduces adrenaline and then crashes. This leaves you in a state of heightened pain sensitivity. You start feeling sore, tight, or even inflamed with the slightest trigger. Your muscles may ache, your neck and back may stiffen, and tension headaches may become frequent.

Pain impact:

• Increased nerve sensitivity

• Muscle tension and jaw clenching

• Headaches, migraines, and palpitations

• Tired but wired” body aches

• A general sense of “why bother?”

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

GABA is your primary calming neurotransmitter. It slows down the nervous system, reduces overactive thoughts, and dampens the brain’s pain signals. Low GABA means your brain becomes hyperactive, overreacting to minor discomfort. This leads to emotional amplification of pain, poor tolerance, and a tight, irritable body. GABA imbalance often coexists with anxiety, insomnia, and fibromyalgia-like symptoms.

Pain impact:

• Restless body and poor pain tolerance

• Muscle tightness, jaw tension

• Stress-related back and neck pain

• Pain that worsens with mental/emotional stress

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

DHEA is a protective, anti-inflammatory hormone. It supports tissue repair, balances immune response, and buffers the body against the wear and tear of chronic stress.

DHEA levels drop during long-term stress, overtraining, or hormonal disorders like PCOS. This leaves your body in a low-grade inflammatory state—you feel sore, heavy, and slow to heal. Your joints might hurt without reason. Even mild exertion can lead to a long recovery.

Pain impact:

• Chronic joint and muscle pain

• Poor tissue repair

• Inflammation without injury

• Pain that worsens during menstrual cycles or hormonal shifts

Cortisol

Cortisol manages inflammation, pain regulation, and tissue recovery. It follows a circadian rhythm—high in the morning, low at night—to keep the body in balance. Cortisol that's too high = your body stays inflamed and overreactive. Cortisol that's too low = your body can’t control inflammation at all. Either pattern leads to chronic inflammation, delayed healing, and exaggerated pain perception. This is common in adrenal fatigue, PTSD, or long-term burnout.

Pain impact:

• Full-body aches, joint swelling

• Trigger point pain, especially in the shoulders and hips

• Poor morning energy with body stiffness.