What a Global Genetics Study Reveals About Fibromyalgia — And Why It’s Hopeful

For decades, people living with fibromyalgia have been told it’s “all in their head,” “stress,” “just pain,” or something that can’t be explained. A groundbreaking global study analyzing the genetic data of 2.5 million people has finally provided something powerful (Kerrebijn et al., 2025):

Scientific validation that fibromyalgia is real, biological, and rooted in the brain and nervous system.

This new research—“The Genetic Architecture of Fibromyalgia Across 2.5 Million Individuals”—is the largest study of its kind and has reshaped how the scientific community understands fibromyalgia.

And the findings are not only fascinating…
They are encouraging.

Let’s walk through what the study found, what it means for you, and why it aligns beautifully with the holistic healing approach we embrace here at FibroSoul.

1. Fibromyalgia Has Measurable Genetic Roots

The study identified 26 genetic loci—specific regions in the genome—that are associated with an increased risk of fibromyalgia. This is a big deal.

It means fibromyalgia is not random, imaginary, or “in your mind.”
It has biological foundations that can now be mapped, studied, and better understood.

While the genetics don’t tell the whole story, they clearly show that fibromyalgia has a measurable biological signature.

2. It’s a Central Nervous System (CNS) Disorder

Of all the findings in the study, this one is the most important:

👉 The genetic signatures most strongly expressed in fibromyalgia are found in the brain and central nervous system—the areas that regulate pain, sensory processing, sleep, stress, and emotional regulation.

This validates what millions of people have long felt:
Fibromyalgia is a neural condition, not a purely musculoskeletal one.

This helps explain:

• Widespread pain

• Sensory sensitivity

• Brain fog

• Sleep disruption

• Overactive nerves

• Difficulty regulating stress

The nervous system is at the heart of fibromyalgia—and this is good news, because the nervous system is highly modifiable.

3. Fibromyalgia Shares Genetic Links with Other Conditions

The study showed genetic overlap between fibromyalgia and several other conditions, including:

• Chronic widespread pain

• Migraine

• Depression and anxiety

• Insomnia and sleep disorders

• Somatic symptom disorder

This does not mean fibromyalgia is a mental health condition.
It means the same genes that influence mood, sleep, pain perception, and sensory processing also influence fibromyalgia.

This helps explain why many people with fibromyalgia experience symptoms that span different systems of the body.

4. Women Have Higher Rates—but the Genetics Are the Same

Fibromyalgia is far more common in women—up to 10 times more. But the study found that:

Men and women share the same genetic architecture for fibromyalgia.

In other words, the difference in prevalence is not due to different genes.

This suggests that hormonal factors, life stress, trauma, metabolic differences, and inflammation may play a key role in why fibromyalgia expresses more strongly in women.

This supports the importance of a holistic approach that cares for the entire body, mind, hormones, nervous system, and lifestyle.

5. Genetics Are Only Part of the Story

While genetics increases susceptibility, they do not determine fate.

Fibromyalgia is what scientists call a polygenic condition—many genes, each contributing a small amount. The environment, lifestyle, trauma history, infections, nutrition, sleep, and stress regulation play major roles in determining whether those genes actually “turn on.”

This is why two people may have similar genetic risk, but only one develops fibromyalgia.

And this is where hope lives.

Because we can’t change our genes, but we can change the environment those genes live in.

6. Why This Study Supports a Holistic Approach

The findings point to something deep and promising:

Fibromyalgia emerges from the intersection of genes + environment + nervous system sensitivity.

This aligns perfectly with the FibroSoul philosophy:

✨ Nourish your body
✨ Regulate your nervous system
✨ Heal your relationship with stress
✨ Prioritize sleep and recovery
✨ Move gently and consistently
✨ Support your mitochondria
✨ Build community and connection
✨ Cultivate practices that soothe your whole being

Every one of these influences the way your genes express themselves.
Every one of these moves you toward healing.

Fibromyalgia is not a life sentence—it’s a condition that responds to care, compassion, and the right tools.

7. What This Means for Your Healing Journey

This study offers something that has been missing for too long:

Validation. Clarity. Direction. Hope.

You are not imagining your symptoms.
You are not weak or dramatic.
You are not “too sensitive.”
And nothing about this is your fault.

Fibromyalgia is biological.
It is neurological.
It is real.

And—most importantly—it is modifiable.

Through nourishing nutrition, movement, nervous system practices, sleep, stress regulation, community, and holistic strategies, you can influence your pain pathways, reduce symptom expression, and reclaim your well-being.

Your body is not broken.
It is communicating.
And with the right support, it can heal.