When you think about what helps your hair grow, you might think of shampoo, conditioner, or vitamins. But did you know that your nervous system also plays a big part in hair growth? That’s right—your brain, nerves, and even your stress levels can affect how healthy your hair is.
Let’s break it all down in a simple way so you can understand how your body helps (or sometimes hurts) your hair growth.
What Is the Nervous System?
Your nervous system is like your body’s communication center. It sends messages between your brain and the rest of your body. It helps control how you move, feel, think—and yes, even how your hair grows!
There are two main parts of the nervous system:
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Central nervous system (CNS): This includes your brain and spinal cord.
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Peripheral nervous system (PNS): This includes all the other nerves in your body, including the ones in your scalp.
Autonomic Nervous System: The Part That Works Without You Thinking
Inside the peripheral nervous system is a special part called the autonomic nervous system. This part controls things you don’t have to think about—like your heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and even your blood flow.
The autonomic nervous system has two sides:
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Sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight): Gets your body ready for action.
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Parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest): Helps your body relax and heal.
How the Nervous System Helps Hair Grow
Your nervous system helps hair grow in a few important ways:
1. Blood Flow to the Scalp
Hair follicles (where your hair grows from) need oxygen and nutrients. These come from your blood. The autonomic nervous system controls how much blood flows to your scalp.
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When you're relaxed, the parasympathetic system opens up blood vessels, letting more blood reach your hair roots. This helps your hair grow stronger.
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When you're stressed or anxious, the sympathetic system tightens blood vessels, reducing blood flow. This can slow down hair growth or even cause hair loss over time.
2. Hormones and Hair Growth
Hormones are natural chemicals that tell your body what to do. The nervous system helps control how much of certain hormones your body makes. Some hormones can help your hair grow, while others can lead to hair thinning or shedding.
Here are two key hormones that affect your hair:
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Cortisol: This is the stress hormone. When you're under a lot of stress, your body makes more cortisol. Too much cortisol can damage hair follicles and lead to hair shedding.
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Testosterone: This hormone is found in both men and women. It can help or hurt your hair depending on how your body reacts. Some people may grow more hair with testosterone, while others may experience thinning.
Stress and Hair Loss: What’s the Connection?
We all feel stressed sometimes. But if you’re stressed a lot, your body might start to show it—especially in your hair.
When you're constantly stressed, your body stays in "fight or flight" mode. This increases cortisol and limits blood flow to your scalp. Over time, this can lead to a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium, where hair falls out due to a hormonal imbalance or hormonal changes.
Here are a few signs of stress-related hair loss:
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Hair falling out in clumps
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Thinner ponytails
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Bald spots
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Slower hair growth
How to Reduce Stress and Help Your Hair Grow
The good news is that lowering your stress can help your hair get back on track. Is that easier said than done? Yes. But, here are some easy ways to support both your mental health and hair health:
1. Get Regular Exercise
Exercise helps your body use up extra stress hormones. And exercise doesn’t have to be difficult, walking for 30 minutes a day can help improve your mood and boost circulation. Just get your body moving!
2. Sleep Well
Try…yes try to get 7–8 hours of sleep each night. Sleep helps your body rest, repair, and grow—yes, even your hair!
3. Eat a Balanced Diet
Eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals like:
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Vitamin D
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Iron
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Biotin
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Zinc
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Omega-3 fatty acids
Eat according to your needs. Not some fad diet trend that everyone is doing. You know your body the best.
4. Practice Relaxation
Try deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. These activities help your nervous system switch from "fight or flight" mode to "rest and digest" mode.
Health Conditions That Cause Hair Loss
Sometimes hair loss isn’t just from stress—it can be a sign of a medical condition. If you’re losing a lot of hair and don’t know why, talk to a doctor. Here are a few health problems that can cause hair loss:
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Alopecia Areata: This is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own hair.
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Thyroid Disease: The thyroid controls hormones. When it’s out of balance, hair growth can slow or stop.
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Trichotillomania: A mental health condition where someone feels the urge to pull out their own hair.
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Lupus: An autoimmune disease that can lead to inflammation and hair loss.
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Cancer Treatments: Chemotherapy and radiation can cause temporary hair loss.
Treatments for Hair Loss
If you're struggling with hair loss, you're not alone—and there are many options to help. The right treatment depends on what’s causing your hair to fall out.
1. Medications
There are medicines like minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride that can help some people grow their hair back.
2. Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy may help stimulate blood flow and wake up sleeping hair follicles.
3. PRP Injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses your own blood to help heal and grow hair.
4. Hair Transplants
Doctors move healthy hair from one part of your scalp to another area where it’s thinning.
Always talk to a healthcare provider before starting any hair loss treatment.
Final Thoughts
The nervous system might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to hair growth, but it plays a big role. It controls blood flow, manages stress hormones, and affects how your hair grows—or falls out.
If you're noticing changes in your hair, think about how your body is feeling. Are you stressed? Sleeping enough? Eating well? Taking care of your nervous system is one of the best ways to take care of your hair too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can stress really cause hair loss?
Yes. High stress raises cortisol, a hormone that can shrink hair follicles and cause hair to fall out more easily.
Q: How does the nervous system affect the scalp?
It controls how much blood and oxygen reach your hair roots, and it helps manage hormones that affect hair growth.
Q: What are some ways to improve blood flow to the scalp?
Exercise, scalp massages, deep breathing, and staying relaxed can all help improve blood circulation.
Q: How do I know if my hair loss is from stress or something else?
If your hair is falling out quickly or in clumps, or if you feel tired, anxious, or sick, talk to your doctor to rule out health problems.
Q: What vitamins help the nervous system and hair growth?
Vitamins like B12, D, E, iron, and zinc support both nervous system function and healthy hair.