The Science Behind Sensory Sensitivity in EDS
Fascia is not just a structural tissue, it’s an information superhighway that directly influences the nervous system. For individuals with EDS, MCAS, and POTS, this system can become dysregulated, leading to heightened sensory awareness in a variety of ways:
More Sensory Input = More Awareness
People with EDS have hypermobile joints and fragile tissues, which cause their nervous system to be constantly flooded with information about their body’s position, pain levels, and stability. This constant input doesn’t just make them physically sensitive, it can also make them more attuned to subtle shifts in their environment.
Fascia Dysregulation & Energy Sensitivity
When fascia is weak or disorganized (as seen in EDS), sensory signals can become amplified. Think of it like a microphone turned up too high picking up whispers, background noise, and even energetic shifts that others might miss.
The Autonomic Nervous System & Emotional Sensitivity
Many with EDS also have MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), which affect the autonomic nervous system. This system controls heart rate, digestion, and emotional regulation. So when it’s imbalanced, it can lead to hypersensitivity to emotions, environments, and energy shifts.
Chronic Illness, Trauma, & Hypervigilance
When someone has chronic pain, unpredictable symptoms, or medical trauma, their nervous system often enters a state of hypervigilance. Constantly scanning for threats. This can create a heightened awareness of other people’s emotions, moods, and even the ‘energy’ of a space long before their conscious mind catches up.
Weakened Physical Boundaries & Energetic Absorption
Connective tissue doesn’t just hold the body together, it defines our physical and energetic boundaries. In EDS, when these tissues are weaker, it can feel like those boundaries are more porous, leading to a greater ability to absorb other people’s emotions, sensations, and even unspoken energy shifts.
When Sensory Sensitivity Blurs Into Intuition
If you’ve ever:
Felt someone’s emotions in your own body before they spoke a word.
Walked into a room and immediately sensed a shift in the mood or energy. Experienced unexplained physical sensations when around certain people or places.
Then you might already understand this phenomenon firsthand.
