199 citations
,
July 2007 in “General and Comparative Endocrinology” Hair cortisol can reliably indicate chronic stress in cats and dogs.
123 citations
,
May 2009 in “Journal of Neuroscience” In late pregnancy, allopregnanolone reduces stress responses in rats by affecting brain chemicals.
98 citations
,
July 2014 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine” Hair follicles are hormone-sensitive and involved in growth and other functions, with potential for new treatments, but more research is needed.
83 citations
,
July 2004 in “Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior” Higher 3α,5α-THP levels in the brain may reduce depression in pregnant rats.
81 citations
,
July 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Certain mutations in the H6PD gene cause Cortisone Reductase Deficiency by affecting hormone production.
68 citations
,
May 2011 in “European Journal of Dermatology” Acne is caused by genetics, diet, hormones, and bacteria, with treatments not yet curative.
67 citations
,
July 2016 in “Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders” Stress can worsen skin conditions by affecting hormone levels and immune response.
50 citations
,
November 2020 in “Physiology & behavior” People with depression often have higher hair cortisol levels, while those with PTSD tend to have lower levels, but more research is needed to understand this fully.
50 citations
,
July 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Hair cortisol can indicate long-term stress levels, but hair growth rate differences may affect accuracy.
38 citations
,
April 2018 in “Psychopharmacology/Psychopharmacologia” Blocking CRF-R1 can reduce alcohol intake in stressed mice.
34 citations
,
April 2014 in “Psychopharmacology” Stress and alcohol affect brain chemicals differently in rats, mice, and humans, influenced by genetic differences.
22 citations
,
January 2010 in “Clinical Medicine Insights Endocrinology and Diabetes” Forearm hair has more cortisol than lower leg hair.
22 citations
,
November 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Hair growth and health are influenced by stress and hormones.
20 citations
,
November 2019 in “Biomolecules” Finasteride reduces response to stress and rewards, affecting behavior and mental health.
16 citations
,
May 2020 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” People with Parkinson's disease have higher levels of cortisone in their hair, which may indicate chronic stress hormone dysfunction.
11 citations
,
April 2023 in “Skin Health and Disease” Psychological stress can worsen skin conditions like psoriasis and acne.
11 citations
,
October 2020 in “General and comparative endocrinology” Male C57BL/6 mice show age-related fluctuations in certain hormones and their ratios in both blood and hair.
7 citations
,
March 2022 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Stress can trigger or worsen alopecia areata.
7 citations
,
October 2010 in “Medical Hypotheses” Alopecia areata may involve stress-related changes affecting hormone receptors, leading to reduced cortisol production.
4 citations
,
August 2021 in “Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, may cause depression, but more research is needed to understand why.
4 citations
,
August 2015 in “Medical Hypotheses” The conclusion suggests that the hormone ghrelin might link acid reflux to oily skin.
3 citations
,
January 2017 in “Journal of clinical and diagnostic research” Injecting steroids like Triamcinolone Acetonide for skin treatments can cause Cushing's Syndrome.
2 citations
,
June 2022 in “Scientific reports” Women with PCOS have higher hair cortisol levels, which are linked to worse metabolic and inflammatory conditions.
2 citations
,
November 2011 in “InTech eBooks” Stress can worsen skin conditions by affecting immune responses and skin cell activities.
April 2026 in “Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology” Hair cortisol levels may be linked to stress, but results are inconsistent.
February 2026 in “Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)” Alopecia affects mental health, causing depression and anxiety, but new treatments can improve both hair growth and quality of life.
February 2026 in “Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)” Alopecia affects mental health, causing depression and anxiety, but new treatments can help improve both hair growth and quality of life.
February 2026 in “Brazilian Journal of Implantology and Health Sciences” Chronic stress and high cortisol levels can cause hair loss by disrupting hair growth.
December 2025 in “Neurobiology of Stress” People who recently attempted suicide during depression showed signs of adrenal fatigue, but had higher DHEA levels around the attempt time.
July 2025 in “International Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy Sciences” Higher stress levels may worsen alopecia areata, suggesting stress management is important for treatment.