| Have you ever noticed that when a person feels | | | | pathogens. This produces a hazardous environment |
| stressed-out, their hair often looks frazzled and fried? | | | | within the body. Under these conditions the hair often |
| Or that a depressed persons' hair often looks dull and | | | | responds by falling out. |
| lifeless, as if to match the way they feel. This is no | | | | Stress can also cause the immune system to lose its |
| coincidence. Our hair reflects our emotional state. | | | | ability to turn off when it is no longer needed to fight |
| There is no denying that stress affects the condition | | | | off invasions. An over-activated immune system can |
| of our hair and can ultimately lead to hair loss. | | | | trigger or worsen autoimmune conditions and |
| Stress causes actual physiological changes in our | | | | inflammatory conditions. Hair loss is a symptom of |
| body. These changes throw off our entire equilibrium, | | | | many of these types of conditions. |
| and affect every system of our body. Hair is very | | | | Stress is known to decrease the release of acid in |
| sensitive to any disturbances or changes within our | | | | the stomach and to impair digestion. Hair loss is a |
| body. If the disturbance is severe or prolonged the | | | | symptom of gastrointestinal disorders such as Chrons |
| hair growth cycle becomes disrupted, causing | | | | and Celiac. When the digestive system is not |
| excessive hair loss and delaying new growth. | | | | functioning properly we may not absorb the nutrients |
| Healthy hair growth is dependent on an intricately | | | | needed to support hair growth. Large amounts of |
| balanced hormonal system. An over or under | | | | vitamins, minerals and proteins are secreted in the |
| production of certain hormones is a common cause | | | | urine before they have a chance to reach our scalp. |
| of hair loss. When our body perceives stress, our | | | | Extreme stress depletes important nutrients such as |
| glandular system responds by producing additional | | | | selenium and zinc. A deficiency of these nutrients can |
| stress hormones. | | | | lead to hair loss. |
| Our body is well equipped to handle stress as long as | | | | Stress hinders proper circulation. Muscles become |
| there is plenty of time to recover between incidents. | | | | tense and stiff, restricting blood from flowing to the |
| Unfortunately our busy hectic lifestyles provide little, | | | | scalp. The scalp depends on blood flow to bring |
| if any recovery time between stressful events. This | | | | oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles, and to |
| type of chronic, cumulative stress causes harmful | | | | remove toxins and environmental pollutants from the |
| effects to the body. Hair loss is often the first | | | | scalp. |
| symptom. | | | | Cumulative stress can cause cells to age faster and |
| Cortisol is one of the main hormones involved in | | | | to eventually stop dividing. Hair is formed from cells |
| combating stress. Too much or too little cortisol can | | | | at the base of each follicle. These cells multiply and |
| cause hair loss. Cortisol is produced from the adrenal | | | | differentiate to form each individual strand of hair. |
| glands. The adrenal glands can become dysfunctional | | | | Cellular regeneration must occur in order for new hair |
| trying to keep up with the demands of stress. Any | | | | to form. |
| adrenal gland disorder can lead to hair loss. | | | | Stress is a major factor in many of the medical |
| Another stress hormone involved in hair loss is | | | | conditions in which hair loss is a symptom. |
| corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). When stress | | | | Acute stress, when dealt with effectively has no |
| is perceived, CRH signals the sebaceous glands to | | | | negative effects on hair growth. It is the chronic, |
| produce excessive oil. This oil called sebum creates a | | | | cumulative, prolonged stress that is so destructive to |
| waxy substance on the scalp, making it difficult for | | | | our system. This type of stress causes hopelessness, |
| new growing hairs to permeate. Excess sebum can | | | | anxiety, depression, insomnia and bad habits. Often |
| create weak, thin, slow growing hair and hair loss. | | | | the first place this harmful stress shows up is in our |
| Long-term, chronic stress weakens the entire | | | | hair. Significant changes in hair can be a warning sign |
| immune system. When the immune system is | | | | of stress that has gone out of control. Hair loss |
| suppressed the body is less able to fight off bacteria, | | | | caused by stress responds well to natural therapies |
| yeasts, parasites, viruses, and other invading | | | | such as massage, aromatherapy or reflexology. |