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Central Nervous System Hyperarousal

Meaning

Central Nervous System Hyperarousal is a state characterized by an abnormally elevated level of neurological alertness and physiological reactivity, often presenting clinically as persistent insomnia, anxiety, or an inability to relax. This condition reflects a chronic imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, where sympathetic (fight-or-flight) activity dominates the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) tone. Sustained hyperarousal prevents the necessary transition into restorative sleep stages and is a powerful driver of chronic stress, leading to significant dysregulation of the HPA axis and cortisol dynamics.