Why hair turns white

Hair turning white or gray is influenced by several factors, primarily involving stress and aging. Andrew Huberman explains that stress increases the release of adrenaline, which activates peroxide groups in the hair follicle. This process can make hair go gray or white over time 1. Additionally, stress affects melanocytes—cells responsible for pigmentation in hair—leading to their depletion under chronic stress conditions. This accelerates hair graying by reducing melanin production in hair follicles 2.

Genetics also play a significant role in how quickly someone might experience graying. While stress contributes to the process, it's important to note that lifestyle factors like managing stress through practices such as meditation, and ensuring adequate sunlight exposure could potentially mitigate stress-induced graying 2.