Forget fortune-tellers reading palms — scientists are now reading hair to spot signs of stress.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that children’s hair strands carry a chemical diary of their stress levels, which could help flag mental health risks earlier than ever.
What the Hell Did They Do? 🙃
Hair grows about 1 cm a month. As it grows, it absorbs cortisol — the body’s main stress hormone. Think of it like tree rings: instead of showing drought or rain, each centimeter of hair shows stress highs and lows.
In this study, 244 Canadian kids living with chronic physical illnesses had their hair tested for cortisol over four years. More than two-thirds had persistently high levels — and these kids were much more likely to show anxiety, depression, or behavior issues than kids whose stress hormone levels dipped over time.
Basically, their hair was waving a big red flag long before symptoms were obvious. 🚩
Why It Matters 🫠
Early warning system: Hair cortisol could help doctors spot which children are at the highest risk and get them help sooner.
Non-invasive & easy: Snipping hair is a lot less scary than needles or scans. ✂️
Better support: Understanding long-term stress in children with chronic illness could improve care and reduce mental health struggles down the road.
Quirky Takeaway:
Next time you complain about a bad hair day, remember: your strands aren’t just style — they’re stress reporters. 💇📊 Kids’ hair might just help us catch mental health problems before they spiral.
Sources
Littler E., Ferro M., et al. Association between hair cortisol and psychopathology in children with a chronic physical illness. Stress and Health (2025).