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Neurochemical Baseline Shift

Meaning

Neurochemical Baseline Shift is a sustained, maladaptive alteration in the homeostatic concentration and turnover rate of key neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, or norepinephrine, within specific brain regions. This shift moves the resting state of the brain’s chemistry away from its optimal, genetically determined set point. Clinically, this phenomenon often underlies persistent mood disorders, chronic fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction, as the brain’s capacity for emotional and cognitive flexibility is compromised. It is frequently observed as a consequence of prolonged hormonal imbalance.