Hi Friend
If you live with hEDS, there is a statistically high chance you are also neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, or AuDHD). But have you ever noticed that on days when your joints are loose and your focus is nonexistent, you also feel... inflamed?
Maybe your skin is reactive, your stomach is upset, or you are suddenly sensitive to foods that were fine yesterday.
For years, doctors treated these as separate silos: Rheumatology for the joints, Psychiatry for the brain, and Immunology for the allergies. But new research (and patient experience) suggests a massive overlap between Neurodivergence and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) in hEDS bodies.
Here is how the "Triad" works together to create the perfect storm—and why your brain fog might actually be an immune reaction.
1. Neuroinflammation: When the Brain is "Allergic"
We often think of MCAS as hives, flushing, or anaphylaxis. But Mast Cells are also located in the brain.
When Mast Cells degranulate (explode) due to a trigger—be it heat, stress, or a specific food—they release histamine and inflammatory cytokines. When this happens in the brain, it doesn't itch; it slows down.
The Result: That heavy "sludge" feeling in your brain.
The Overlap: For someone with ADHD, this neuroinflammation can render stimulant medication ineffective. For someone with Autism, it can lower the threshold for sensory overload, leading to faster burnout or meltdowns.
At the mend clinic we help identify and treat many overlapping, symptom’s that cross multiple body systems. More info here, MEND CLINIC
2. The Sensory Feedback Loop
Neurodivergent folks often struggle with Interoception (the ability to feel what’s happening inside the body) and Proprioception (knowing where your body is in space). hEDS makes proprioception bad; MCAS makes interoception screamingly loud.
Imagine trying to focus on a task (ADHD) or regulate your emotions (Autism) when:
Your tag is itchy (Sensory processing).
Your skin feels like it's burning (MCAS).
Your ribs feel like they are slipping out (hEDS).
MCAS turns up the volume on sensory discomfort. What might be a minor annoyance to a neurotypical person becomes a nervous system emergency for a neurodivergent Zebra.
3. The Stress Trigger (The Ouroboros)
Here is the cruelest part of the cycle: Stress is a massive trigger for MCAS.
Living in a world not designed for neurodivergent brains is inherently stressful (masking, sensory overwhelm, executive dysfunction). That stress causes your Mast Cells to release chemicals. Those chemicals cause physical pain and brain fog. The pain and brain fog make it harder to manage your ADHD/Autism... which causes more stress.
Breaking the Cycle
Understanding this link changes how we care for ourselves. If you are having a day where your ADHD feels unmanageable or your Autistic sensory tolerance is zero, ask yourself: Is my immune system flaring?
Calm the Mast Cells to Calm the Brain: Sometimes, treating the "psychiatric" symptom requires an antihistamine, a low-histamine meal, or stabilizing your neck—not just "trying harder" to focus.
Reduce the Sensory Load: If you are having an MCAS flare, your nervous system is already at capacity. Give yourself permission to reduce sensory inputs (dim lights, weighted blankets) to lower the overall stress load on your body.
The Takeaway: Your body and brain are not fighting separate battles. They are on the same team, trying to survive a complex environment. Sometimes, "mental health care" looks like taking a Zyrtec and putting on compression socks.
For private appointments to help treat and diagnose MCAS, visit HERE
🦓 The Zebra Hack: The "Safe Suit"
When the MCAS/Sensory overlap hits, clothes can hurt.
Tip: Build a "flare outfit" that meets both needs.
Seamless: Inside-out socks or seamless leggings (helps the sensory processing).
Natural Fibers: Bamboo or 100% cotton (prevents trapping heat/sweat, which triggers MCAS skin reactions).
Compression: Tight enough to provide proprioceptive feedback for your hEDS joints, but breathable enough not to trigger a histamine itch.
Keep this outfit clean and ready for "high static" days.
Stay Well
Dr Ahmed
