Hair Loss From Stress - The Mind Body Connection

Hair loss from stress has been observed under certain circumstances including childbirth and menopause in women, as well as sudden shock and trauma from serious illness in both men and women.

Could it be that the mind can exercise influence over the body in the matter of hair loss? While not suggesting that hair loss from stress can be stopped or cured simply by 'mind over matter' it is important to evaluate the evidence which suggests the mind certainly can play a part.

The Placebo Effect

Pharmaceutical companies test new medicines and drugs by using control groups. Some participants are given the actual drug or medication, others are given a placebo, a medicine or treatment that performs no physical function but it may affect a patient psychologically.

As the patients do not know which of their number is actually taking the drug and which ones are taking the placebo the true effectiveness of the drug can be determined.

While the group of patients taking the drug and seeing improvement in their condition may be larger than the group taking the placebo who also see an improvement, the very fact that a percentage of the placebo group see an improvement provides evidence that the mind indeed exercises a powerful influence over the body.

How can this information be utilized when considering hair loss from stress?

Evidently in addition to considering medication or exterior treatments, attention should also be given to relaxation techniques and mind calming exercises. A calm mind can soothe a stressed body. The whole body then benefits including the scalp and the condition of the hair follicles responsible for hair growth.

Numerous stress relieving strategies are available as a brief search on the internet will reveal. However, in his groundbreaking ebook "Hair Loss No More" (see resource box below), leading hair loss analyst Jonathan E. Phillips, lays out a plan for a structured approach to stopping hair loss and promoting new hair growth.

In addition to proper attention to diet and nutrition, simple breathing exercises are very important in relaxing the body and oxygenating the blood. Regular exercise is also crucial in maintaining a healthy mind body connection.

Mr. Phillips has put together what he calls a revolutionary Step-By-Step Hair Power Regimen. In this way, whatever exterior treatment is chosen in the way of properly balanced hair shampoos to neutralize DHT or herbal supplements to promote healthy hair growth (See resource box below), working from the inside out by paying attention to diet, nutrition, exercise, and deep breathing, can have a major impact on controlling hair loss.

If you feel your hair loss is from stress to some degree then take positive action by analyzing your lifestyle and identifying the main stressors in your life. Combat the effect of stress by taking a little time to learn simple techniques and strategies you can use daily to calm the mind and the body. I found the information in Mr. Phillips book gave me a rounded out program which I use regularly.

Consider The Mind Body Connection

While the idea of hair loss from stress may be dismissed by some as just an unprovable theory, there is a consensus among many in the medical community that proper stress control can have a very positive effect not only on a person's general state of health but also on the condition of the scalp and hair growth.

The mind body connection is one important factor that needs to be taken into consideration when deciding what course to take to stop hair loss.

Mike Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience. His recommendations:

Take good care of your hair with the NewHair Biofactors System with deep cleansing anti-DHT shampoo: http://www.1bodycare.com/newhair.htm

Browse the groundbreaking ebook "Hair Loss No More" here: http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/hair-loss-no-more-guide.html

Hair Loss Research Library: http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/Hair-Loss-Library

Smoking And Hair Loss - Is There A Connection?

Before considering the question of whether smoking and hair loss are connected, it is important to get a little understanding of what goes on in the hair follicles, the tiny little factories responsible for hair growth.

What's Happening In The Hair Follicle

The bulb shaped dermal papilla located at the bottom of the hair follicle creates new cells which push upwards forcing older cells even higher. When these cells get to the middle of the hair follicle they die and harden and begin to form a central core which eventually becomes a new hair shaft.

On what is the dermal papilla dependent in order to keep up the production of new cells? A healthy blood supply. The hair follicle is fed by a network of tiny blood vessels which provide the needed oxygen and nutrients necessary for hair growth.

Smoking And Blood Circulation

Now back to the question of smoking and hair loss. What effect does smoking have on the blood supply and the circulatory system?

Here is a short list:

Nicotine causes an increase in adrenaline which in turn increases blood pressure and suddenly makes the heart beat faster. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict which in turn makes it harder for the heart to pump blood through the arteries which in turn impacts the blood circulatory system. Smoking produces carbon monoxide which inhibits the blood's capacity to carry oxygen.

Seeing a healthy scalp and healthy hair follicles are so dependent on a rich supply of oxygenated blood which can deliver all the proteins and nutrients needed for new hair growth, it is only reasonable to conclude smoking and hair loss can be connected.

Of course, every individual is different and will respond in a different way to foods, substances, drugs and medications. However, as a general rule, smoking can be seen to have a negative effect on hair growth.

Learning From Mice

Interestingly, a report published in the National Library of Medicine from the Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy, indicated a connection between smoking and hair loss with tests carried out on mice.

After 3 months of exposure to cigarette smoke, most of the mice developed areas of alopecia and grey hair. The report stated: "Smoke-exposed mice had extensive atrophy of the epidermis, reduced thickness of the subcutaneous tissue, and scarcity of hair follicles."

So if hair loss is causing you anxiety and you are a smoker, you owe it to yourself to take definite steps to stop smoking as soon as possible. (See resource box below for free online guide)

The Whole Body Approach

Of course, smoking and hair loss is just one part of the story. Combating hair loss involves a number of other factors too such as diet, nutrition, exercise and proper breathing.

In his ebook "Hair Loss No More" leading hair loss analyst Jonathon E. Phillips sets out a plan which includes all the factors mentioned above in order to stop hair loss and promote new hair growth.

He strongly discourages smoking in view of the impact it has on the body's circulatory system and gives detailed instructions on how to train the body to breathe properly while doing rudimentary exercises that can make a huge difference, not only to one's general sense of well-being, but especially to the health and condition of the scalp and hair follicles. (See resource box below for more information on this 168 page guide on hair loss)

While there will always be those who contest whether smoking is really damaging to the health, despite the weight of evidence to now support that conclusion, anyone concerned about hair loss surely needs to consider this matter seriously.

From the evidence available it appears there is definitely a connection between smoking and hair loss. In your strategy to cope with hair loss and improve the condition of your head hair, be sure to include a 'Quite Smoking' program if you are a tobacco user.

Mike Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience. His recommendations:

Take good care of your hair with the NewHair Biofactors System with deep cleansing anti-DHT shampoo:

http://www.1bodycare.com/newhair.htm

Browse the groundbreaking ebook "Hair Loss No More" here:

http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/hair-loss-no-more-guide.html

Free Online 'Quite Smoking' Guide:

http://www.medlisting.com/stop-smoking