For most of us, hair naturally loses its pigment content as we age. We often think that stress can also play a role in this, but until recently it has not been possible to actually prove this. However, a study has finally provided evidence.
He has revealed surprising things about the biological processes of aging
Gray hair and white hair are usually caused by the fact that melanocytes in our hair follicles slowly die during aging, which means a lack of pigment called melanin. However, there is some evidence that there are other factors that can affect its production.
Although scientists have already found a link between stress and gray hair in mice, it has not been possible to clearly prove that this happens in humans as well. However, a previous study involving fourteen volunteers provides strong evidence that this actually happens.
Additionally, it seems that once people are less stressed, their hair color may return to some extent.
Although the researchers do not claim that the aging process is reversible, the new findings may teach us something surprising about the biological processes of aging.
Understanding the mechanisms that allow old gray hair to return to its youthful pigmented state may provide new clues about the resilience of human aging in general. Martin Pickard, associate professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University, said: Science Alert Online scientific portal. In addition, they can testify about how stress affects this natural process.
A total of fourteen healthy volunteers between the ages of 9 and 65 whose hair already showed certain signs of graying or bleaching participated in the study. However, the researchers note that their findings do not necessarily apply to the entire population.
Stress causes hair color to change
the eLife In a study published in a scientific journal, volunteers’ hair was analyzed for signs of pigment loss using a specially developed high-resolution scanning technology. In addition to noticeable gray hair, this technique also revealed slight changes in color, which experts noted
Once pigment loss began, it did not always last.
When the color changes were compared to stress diaries filled out by a group of volunteers (recording periods of stress and non-stress over the past 12 months), researchers found some correlation between stress cycles and changes in hair pigmentation in some studies. Participants.
There was an individual who went on vacation and five of his hair regained color during the vacation, coinciding with time Picard noted the almost unbelievable result.
Scientists analyzed hundreds of proteins within hair strands and found a link between gray hair strands and several proteins associated with mitochondria – an indicator of energy use and metabolic stress. This association has been observed by W Supports the idea that stress causes changes in hair color.The experts expanded the results to include many people and age groups with the help of a mathematical model. Their results showed that gray and white hair can regain their color under certain conditions.
Although this contradicts another study conducted on mice, differences in hair follicle biology between mice and humans may explain this discrepancy.
