/ Modified jan 23, 2020 10:38 a.m.

Scientists explain how stress can turn hair gray

A study examines how stress response can impact stem cells that act as a sort of color reserve for hair.

melanocyte Elaborate sympathetic innervation (magenta) around melanocyte stem cells (yellow). Acute stress induces the sympathetic nervous system to release large amounts of norepinephrine, which drives rapid depletion of melanocyte stem cells and hair graying.
Hsu Laboratory/Harvard University

From Marie Antoinette to late Arizona Sen. John McCain, history and folklore teem with tales of trauma turning hair gray.

Now, Harvard scientists have discovered how stress can suddenly sap hair of its color.

According to the study published in the journal Nature, stress causes a fight-or-flight response in the sympathetic nervous system.

Nerves from that system connect to hair follicles, where certain stem cells act as a kind of holding tank for future hair pigmentation.

When these cells are dosed with the chemical norepinephrine released during the stress response, they become overactive and soon empty these color reserves.

But don't be too quick to touch up those roots: A growing number of people today are OK with going gray. Hey, it worked for Steve Martin and Anderson Cooper.

Arizona Science Desk
This story is from the Arizona Science Desk, a collaborative of the state's public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Arizona Science Desk.
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