Living in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the capital city can sometimes make you feel stressed. Traffic jam and tiredness after a day of activities are some of the factors that can increase the risk of stress. We all know that stress can affect overall body health. Not only that, stress can also affect our appearance. Many believe that stress can trigger grey hair to appear more quickly.

Usually, grey hair can be found in the elderly. Indeed, one of the main factors that can cause grey hair is age. As we get older, melanin production in the body will decrease. Melanin is the cell responsible for hair pigment.

Previously, the notion that stress can trigger grey hair is considered only as a myth, an unproven one. However, the “myth” has now been proven by the results of studies published in the journal Nature recently. Researchers from Harvard University found that stress can make grey hair appear sooner. The conclusion was obtained after the researchers analysed the relationship between the two by using mice.

In their study, the researchers placed mice into a stressful environment to trigger the release of adrenaline and cortisol. Before that, the mice were given an injection of resiniferatoxin compounds to increase their stress hormones. After the experiment, it was found that the cells that produce melanin in the body of the mice were damaged, and the damage was permanent.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Google Search Images

Source(s):

• Zhang, B., Rachmin, I., He, M., et al (2020). Hyperactivation of sympathetic nerves drives depletion of melanocyte stem cells. Nature, DOI: .https: //doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-1935-3.
• Time - Scientists Confirm That Stress Can Indeed Turn Hair Gray (2020). https://time.com/5769513/grey-hair-stress/, 29 January 2020.