Short Communication - (2023)Volume 12, Issue 2
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The Potential Link between Hair Colour, Anxiety and Depression
Richard Head*
*Correspondence:Richard Head, Department of Psychiatrist, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce,Poland, Email:
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Abstract
Anxiety and depression are prevalent mental health disorders affecting millions of adults worldwide. This paper aims explain that the potential link between hair colour, anxiety and depression by examining relevant literature. While some studies have suggested an association between hair colour and mental health, others have yielded inconsistent results. Various factors, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle influences, may contribute to these conditions. Further research is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between hair colour and mental health. The potential link between hair colour and anxiety and depression, it is essential to consider the complex nature of mental health disorders. Anxiety and depression are multifaceted conditions influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. While hair colour may be one of many characteristics that contribute to an individual's overall genetic makeup, it is unlikely to be the sole determining factor in the development of mental health disorders.
Keywords
Depression; Anxiety; Hair colour; Mental health; Psychological
Description
The colour of an individual's hair is determined by the type andamount of melanin pigment in their hair follicles. Melaninproduction is regulated by genetic factors, and variations in itsproduction and distribution lead to different hair colour shades.Hair colour has been explored in relation to various healthoutcomes, including mental health. This paper investigates thepotential association between hair colour and anxiety anddepression by reviewing relevant literature [1].
Association between hair colour and mental health
A study conducted to find that individuals with black or darkbrown hair had a higher prevalence of depression and moresevere depressive symptoms compared to those with lighter haircolours [2]. Similarly, authors discovered that individuals withblonde hair had a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders andmore severe anxiety symptoms. However, these findings have notbeen consistently replicated in other studies. For instance, thereis no significant association between hair colour and anxiety ordepression [3].
Possible explanations for the hair colour and mentalhealth association
Several theories have been proposed to explain the observedassociation between hair colour and mental health. One theorysuggests that the production and distribution of melanin mayimpact neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin, whichplays a role in mood regulation. Melanin has been found to beinvolved in the synthesis and release of serotonin, and lowerserotonin levels have been linked to depression and anxiety [4].Another theory posits that hair colour may serve as a geneticmarker for susceptibility to certain mental health disorders.Genetic factors have been found to contribute significantly tothe risk of developing major depression and hair colour isinfluenced by genetic factors, potentially indicating sharedunderlying genes. Additionally, environmental and lifestylefactors associated with specific hair colours may contribute tothe development of mental health disorders. For example,individuals with blonde hair and fair skin may be moresusceptible to sun damage and vitamin D deficiency, which hasbeen associated with depression and anxiety [5].
Conclusion
The association between hair colour and anxiety and depressionin adults remains a topic of debate and requires furtherinvestigation. While some studies have found a potential linkbetween hair colour and mental health, others have notobserved a significant association. Possible explanations includethe influence of melanin on neurotransmitter levels, geneticfactors, and environmental and lifestyle influences. Tocomprehend the underlying mechanisms and establish aconclusive understanding, additional research is needed toexplore the relationship between hair colour and mental health.Genetic factors play a significant role in the predisposition toanxiety and depression. Studies have identified specific genesassociated with these conditions, such as those involved in theregulation of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.Hair colour is also genetically determined, with variations ingenes such as MC1R influencing the production of melanin,which gives hair its colour. However, the genetic factorsunderlying hair colour and mental health are distinct and maynot directly interact.
Acknowledgement
None
Conflict of Interest
None
References
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Author Info
Richard Head*
Department of Psychiatrist, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
Citation: Head R (2023) The Potential Link Between Hair Colour, Anxiety and Depression. J Dep Anxiety. 12:507.
Received: 29-May-2023, Manuscript No. JDA-23-23478;Editor assigned: 31-May-2023, Pre QC No. JDA-23-23478 (PQ);Reviewed: 14-Jun-2023, QC No. JDA-23-23478;Revised: 21-Jun-2023, Manuscript No. JDA-23-23478 (R);Published:30-Jun-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2167-1044.23.12.507
Copyright: © 2023 Head R. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, whichpermits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
