Jun 30 2009
Gray From Stress
I have a few gray hairs. A couple years ago, when they first became obvious to others, a 20 year-old nephew said to me, “Wow, you’re going gray — what has been stressing you out?” If I did answer, it was something along the lines of “nothing out of the ordinary.” I didn’t challenge the assertion that emotional stress–as implied–causes hair to go gray.
Does stress make your hair go gray? How’s this answer, provided by the ScienceDaily article and right in the title: Stress Makes Your Hair Go Gray. But here’s the thing–researchers discovered that “genotoxic” stress is the trigger. And what is that? Things like “mutagenic chemicals, ultraviolet light and ionizing radiation.” These things damage the DNA of hair cells. And the damage accumulates. Of course, there are very likely other genetic and perhaps even environmental factors involved. But psychological factors? While I wouldn’t rule them out (as potential co-factors) I also wouldn’t pencil them in without good evidence.
To some, I can be such a skeptical fuddy-duddy. And while I doubt my skepticism adds gray to my hair, it does successfully keep bologna out of my mind.
