The Link Between Stress and Hair Loss

Feeling stressed? With the events of the last few years (a pandemic included!), many of us have gone through periods of stress. In fact, in its annual Stress in America report, the American Psychological Association noted that U.S. stress levels had increased to “alarming” levels.

There’s certainly been a lot going on, and increased stress affects every part of our overall well-being, from our sleep quality to our immune health and even our hair.  

Yep, stress can actually lead to certain types of hair loss. Below, we’re breaking down why this happens, and what you can do about it.

How it Happens
While hormone changes, environmental impacts, or even genetic factors have a tendency to play a role in hair loss, stress-induced hair loss is a whole different thing, and it typically shows up in two different types: Alopecia Areata and Telogen Effluvium. 

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, a process that can be triggered by severe stress. The result is typically patches of hair loss or baldness.  

Telogen Effluvium refers to temporary hair loss caused by stress, trauma, or other significant life changes, causing our hair growth hormones to be suppressed. This type of hair loss typically becomes noticeable after 2-4 months.

How Do I Know If I’m Experiencing Stress-Induced Hair Loss?
If you have Alopecia Areata, you’ll likely notice patches of baldness as we mentioned above, but the more common of the two is Telogen Effluvium. If you’re experiencing this type of hair loss, you’re likely to notice thinning and lose more than 100 strands of hair a day. Look to see if the hair you’ve lost has a white bulb at the root: this is a pretty good sign your hair loss is the result of stress. 

What Can I Do?
The good news is that stress-related hair loss is usually temporary. If you think you may be experiencing this, a good first step is to meet with your doctor, but natural supplements aimed at relieving stress are also a great course of action. Taking CBD daily can also help, as CBD adapts to your body’s natural chemistry to relieve stress and inspire balance. 

We all experience stress at some point or another, so don’t feel bad if this season of your life has led to hair loss. With a little bit of nourishment and support, you’ll be able to relieve stress and return your hair to its normal, healthy state.