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