Table of Contents 64q43
According to a study by Nature, a world-renowned scientific journal, scientists from the Harvard Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology (HSCRB) defined that the stress it is linked to the acceleration of the aging of cells that fortify and color the hair, turning it white prematurely. 686d61
How does stress make hair gray? 5y6s29
What was once an urban legend became true during a scientific research in black mice who were uncomfortable. After a while, the animals began to have some white hairs, drawing a lot of attention from scientists. So they understood that the stress was the main cause of this effect, which was half true.
It all starts in Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS), responsible for altering the functioning of our organism in situations of threat, anxiety, fear, etc. In these states, the heart rate increases so that more blood circulates through the body, leaving us prepared for the worst. To do this, the SNS sends information through nerves so that the cells release hormones.
However, one of the main hormones for this change in the functioning of the human body is the norepinephrine, released into the artery to increase blood flow, breathing and, consequently, heart rate.
The big problem is the melanocyte stem cells in the hair strands, being the producers of the pigmentation that gives color to our hair. When we get stressed, norepinephrine ends up damaging these cells. As a result, stem cells cannot restore the color of hair follicles and white hairs proliferate. So yes, stress can turn hair gray.
According to recent studies by Martin Picard, professor of behavioral medicine at the Columbia University, there is a possibility of reversing this capillary condition. However, he also points out that there is an age limit for bleaching hair strands. A 10 year old boy who's been through a lot stress it will hardly be gray, however, a middle-aged adult is close to this limit, so this is likely to happen.
On the other hand, Rauf Paus, professor of dermatology at the Miami University, gives good news by informing that mice do not have an organism like humans, so it is possible that there are differences to consider.
Regardless of age and scientific results, it is worth noting that the stress must be under control, as it still has a significant influence on our body and how it works.
How does stress affect our body? 483r4t
As it was possible to , the stress it has a great influence on our body, as it encourages the SNS to create hormones so that the body is prepared for action. Our ancestors were completely dependent on this mechanism for survival, and it remains very important. However, in excess, stress can be a great villain for health.
we already know that the stress it makes the heart beat faster and increases blood flow through the body. In the long term, it can obstruct the flow of blood, complicating the work of the heart and, as a sequel, it can cause heart problems, a heart attack being a fateful example.
In addition to noradrenaline, there is also cortisol, touted as the stress hormone. At high levels, this element can damage and influence the hippocampus, a brain area essential for memory. Likewise, other parts of the brain can also undergo negative changes, such as the prefrontal cortex, which allows us to think, plan and deal with emotions.
Does this have to do with aging too? 2x28m
Before answering this question, it is necessary to leave some information in evidence. The first is that there are different types of stress, each of which has a frequency. According to American Psychological Association (APA), they are:
- Acute stress: it occurs for a single moment, for example, when we are about to crash the car or when facing some kind of challenge. Some common symptoms are headache, sweaty hands, tachycardia, muscle pain, among others;
- Acute episodic stress: occurs when the reason is repeated, for example, when there is a short period to deliver a work or reach a goal. The symptoms of the former type are aggravated, there is only the addition of chest pains and heart disease;
- Chronic stress: occurs constantly, when a person does not stop feeling stressed, even in their moments of rest. Here the symptoms border on depression and anxiety, so it is common to feel sadness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, difficulty feeling pleasure and relaxing.
Normally, we link old age to the appearance of gray hairs, this is already embedded in our society. There is no lie in this, as with advancing age, melanocyte stem cells produce little or no melanin, causing hair shafts to lose color. However, the types of stress, especially chronic, denote premature aging.
We flesh and blood human beings need rest and moments of relaxation. The main victim of stress it is the skin, which easily shows the first signs of when we are constantly under the influence of cortisol.
The skin suffers from the appearance of dark circles, wrinkles and hair loss, as its renewal is too retracted when we do not rest properly. Therefore, this ends up giving an appearance that we are finished, implying that the stress grows old.
How to reduce and avoid stress? 4s6f2e
We can consider that a large part of the population suffers from stress and to soften it is extremely necessary that some changes are made, starting with better eating habits, exercise, quality time with yourself and with yourself and, above all, a good rest.
If you identify with any of the symptoms mentioned above or are concerned about your hair health, look for experts in the subject immediately. Dermatologist, nutritionist, psychologist and psychiatrist are some of the agents that will help you most significantly on the subject.
Sources: Nature, LiveScience, News in Health, Pocket, The American Institute of Stress, ScienceDaily, National Library of Medicine, Better Up
