Can stress turn your hair gray?

Asking for myself. ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( In a Nutshell Over the last year, I’ve noticed gray hairs all over my head. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not self-conscious about it. In fact, I have one gray hair front and center in my bangs that I refuse to pull out. I think it looks cool. I’ve *earned* that gray hair, and I’m going to keep it. I don’t feel the need to dye my hair. But I am curious about why this is happening. They say that stress could be responsible, and I have been super stressed this year. Is that the reason? If not, why else would I suddenly be going gray in my 30s? • [Five easy recipes with cancer-fighting ingredients]( • [Frequent heartburn? Here are some possible causes]( • [Symptoms of osteoporosis to look out for]( Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Morgan Mandriota September 2, 2024 • 2.5 min read [Yes, stress can affect your hair color]( what’s got us buzzing [Yes, stress can affect your hair color]( Have you ever noticed that many United States presidents enter office with one hair color only to leave 4 years later entirely gray? Well, that may not be a coincidence! [Too much stress]( can disrupt your body in many ways — low energy, insomnia, depression, acne, digestive issues, and, yes, premature gray hair. [More research]( is needed in humans, but a [2020 study]( in mice found that chronic stress can affect melanocytes, cells that produce hair color. When (severely) stressed, the sympathetic nervous system releases a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine, which damages those cells, ultimately leading to a loss of pigment. ️ According to the study's lead researcher, [Dr. Ya-Chieh Hsu](, this damage is permanent. “After just a few days, all of the melanocyte stem cells were lost,” he says. “Once they’re gone, you can’t regenerate pigments anymore.” [Many factors]( play a role in graying hair, including diet, nutritional deficiencies, smoking tobacco, genetics, and ethnicity. A [2021 study]( found that on average, Caucasian people start graying in their mid-30s, Asian people start graying in their late 30s, and African people start graying in their mid-40s. As a white woman, I guess I’m not too far off from the average age. Even if you're unbothered by gray hairs, reducing your stress levels is still essential to protect your health. Consider talking with a therapist, using coping strategies, or trying [these tips](. [what's your hair type?]( Great finds Upgrade your old hairbrush [Conair Salon Results Hairbrush]( [Conair Salon Results Hairbrush]( This Conair brush is great for all hair types and lengths! Its wire ball-tipped bristles are designed to (gently) reduce snags, tears, and yanking through knots. The grooved handle also sits comfortably in your hand, so you can use it for blow-drying, straightening, or any other type of styling that might take a while without discomfort. [SHOP NOW]( Every product we recommend has gone through either [Healthline's]( or Optum Store’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. FROM OPTUM PERKS [Save Up to 80% on Your Prescriptions]( [Save Up to 80% on Your Prescriptions]( Pay less for your diabetes medication with Optum Perks’ free discount card.* Use it at over 64,000 pharmacies across the United States. [START SAVING [→]]( *It can not be combined with your health insurance. Healthline and Optum Perks are owned by RVO Health. By using this Optum Perks service, we may receive a tangible benefit. health stories you need What we’re reading next [] 🍫 [10 magnesium-rich foods.]( They’re also packed with other nutrients! 👀 [12 big myths around skin health.]( Let’s debunk them, shall we? 💪🏻 [The best personal training apps.]( See which ones our testers love. 🍎 [What’s the 80/20 rule diet?]( And should you try it out? Thanks for reading. See you again on Wednesday! Until next time, [healthline]( Take care of yourself, and we’ll see you again soon! [Telegram] This edition was powered by alone time. 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