If Caffeine Raises Cortisol Levels (Which Produces Stress) Then Could Coffee Cause Hair Loss?

hello Doctor,

I have reviewed your position on caffeine not effecting hair loss. Now it you would be safe to say that everyone’s body would react differently to all sorts of different substances. Like a lactose intolerant person reacts to milk, like the reaction to a person consuming nuts who is allergic, or even as simple as someone whose stomach reacts harshly to certain foods. So when you say that you would be bald by now because you drink 5 cups a coffee a day, your personal reaction can not be regarded as good scientific data.

In my case, (which may be completely different then others) i have noticed this; After consuming my daily coffee pick me up, I feel motivated, determined and willpowered to carry on my day to the best of my ability. But in reality I have read that caffeine is actually creating higher cortisol levels in my body. And that is why I feel that way. Cortisol is what is in our bodies that creates stress. Don’t get me wrong, we need cortisol in certain area in our lives to protect us from being too careless. But wouldn’t the constant consumption of caffeine, which increases cortisol levels which produces stress, accelerate someone’s hair loss problem?

Also taking into consideration that many peoples bodies react differently to the substances we consume.

Thanks

I know people tend to want to find outside reasons for their hair loss rather than admitting that their genetics are the most likely culprit for their hairline betraying them…. but I will make this very short. Caffeine does not cause hair loss. I’ve written about this before here.

You can be as theoretical and debate this all you want, but in the end if you believe this to be true, the simple solution would be to stop drinking coffee and see if your hair regrows. My guess is that it won’t.