Abstract
Central sensitization (CS) denotes aberrant processing of sensory stimuli within the central nervous system, wherein innocuous inputs activate pain pathways, leading to pain hypersensitivity. Features observed in CS conditions are often present in patients with long COVID, suggesting a potentially shared pathophysiological mechanism. We hypothesize that elevated levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide known to play an integral role in the development of CS, may contribute to the persistent symptoms observed in long COVID. This article explores the role of CGRP within the context of CS and proposes its potential relationship to long COVID.