We’re breaking down the science behind hair and energy
It’s 2025, and we’re all about protecting our peace. We cleanse our spaces, curate our friend groups, and burn sage like it’s our full-time job. But what if the biggest energy hoarder in your life is sitting right on top of your head?
Okay, okay—sounds dramatic. But stay with us. There are plenty of myths, beliefs, and TikTok theories out there saying that long hair holds energy, absorbs emotions, and even weighs us down spiritually. Some cultures believe your hair carries memories, while others say it’s your connection to the universe. And then there’s science, which will happily remind us that hair is just keratin—it’s “dead” and doesn’t take energy to maintain.
So which is it? Is your waist-length hair secretly an energy vampire, or is this just another hair myth we can snip into the bin?
Let’s get into it. We’re breaking down the science, spirituality, and self-care side of hair—because if we’re putting all this effort into maintaining our locks, we need to know what we’re working with.
First—the science of hair and energy
You may think we’re crazy—talking about witchcraft, potions, and full moon haircuts—but trust us when we say the energy talk is everywhere. Just ask your FYP. From crystals under your pillow to manifesting your best life, we’re all about protecting our energy in 2025. But when it comes to hair? Science and spirituality have VERY different things to say.
Let’s begin with the facts because science is not out here claiming your long hair is draining your life force. Your hair is made of keratin, which is technically dead tissue once it leaves your scalp. It’s not secretly siphoning your energy, slowing down your metabolism, or making you tired just because it’s long.
But we’ll discuss the real science, shall we?
Does it take more energy to maintain long hair?
Short answer? No. Your body doesn’t “power” your strands once they’ve grown out. The only energy your body uses on hair is in the growth phase—meaning your roots are where all the action happens. If you have a pixie cut or hair down to your waist, your body spends the same amount of energy producing new hair at the scalp.
However… that doesn’t mean long hair doesn’t require energy in other ways.
– More hair = more effort. Longer hair means more washing, drying, styling, and detangling. If you’re spending an extra 20 minutes blow-drying your mane, technically, that’s energy spent.
– More product, more maintenance. Conditioner, oils, masks—your haircare lineup grows as your hair does. It’s a commitment, babes.
– Physical weight? Maybe. If your hair is really long and thick, it can feel heavy on your head and neck. (Hence, the high ponytail headache struggle.)
So, scientifically? Your long hair isn’t “using” your energy, but maintaining it definitely requires effort. And that’s where things start to get exciting.
Right, if it's not physical energy, what about the spiritual side of things?
Spirituality and hair energy—is that a thing?
You don't have to be a *spiritual queen* to see that this is where things get interesting. While science says hair is just dead protein (rude), spirituality, ancient traditions, and even TikTok wisdom tell a very different story.
For centuries, people have believed that hair is more than just hair—it’s a storage center for energy, memories, and personal power. If you’re into manifestation, energy healing, or just love a good full-moon ritual, long hair has been linked to strength, wisdom, and even emotional baggage. But is this just another myth?
The cultural and spiritual significance of long hair
Ancient traditions say yes. Many cultures throughout history have believed that hair carries energy—which is why warriors, spiritual leaders, and healers often kept their hair long as a sign of strength and wisdom. Think:
– Indigenous communities – Many Native American tribes believe hair is a physical extension of the spirit and that cutting it is only done for major life transitions, grief, or renewal.
– Yogic traditions – In Kundalini yoga, long hair is thought to help channel energy from the universe through the crown chakra (aka, the energy center at the top of your head).
– Samurai warriors – Japanese samurais grew their hair long and tied it into a topknot as a symbol of honor and strength.
Even today, many people intuitively feel that hair holds onto emotions and experiences—which explains why so many of us chop it off after a breakup, career shift, or personal rebirth.
Remember last year's post-break-up bob? Now THAT was a truly life-changing moment.
Does hair store emotional energy? the ‘breakup haircut’ theory
Ever notice how after a major life change, people suddenly feel the need to cut their hair off? It’s not just for the aesthetic. Many believe that hair holds onto past emotions, and cutting it is a way to release old energy and start fresh.
Think about it—your hair has been with you through everything. Late-night cries. Career glow-ups. Love. Loss. Cheating (yuck). Growth. So when life shifts, it makes sense that people want to physically shed the past by chopping off inches.
Even if you’re not into the spiritual side of things, there’s no denying that a fresh cut = fresh queen energy. It’s why walking out of the salon with a new style feels like stepping into a new version of yourself.
So, does long hair really affect your energy?
It depends on how you look at it. Scientifically, no—your long hair isn’t draining your energy. But spiritually? If you believe hair carries energy, holds onto emotions, and connects you to your personal power—then yes, it plays a role.
At the end of the day, hair is personal. Some people feel empowered with long, flowing locks, while others thrive when they chop it all off and start fresh. Either way, your hair is yours—and it should feel good to you.
Does long hair drain your energy in daily life?
Alright, we’ve covered the science (hair doesn’t literally use energy), and we’ve explored spirituality (but it might hold onto energy), so now it’s time for the real-life, day-to-day energy cost of keeping long hair.
We can’t lie—long hair is a commitment. It doesn’t just sit there looking pretty, it DEMANDS your time, effort, and patience. The real question is: does long hair actually drain your energy, or is it just a high-maintenance myth?
The high-maintenance myth—is long hair actually more exhausting?
Here’s the hot gossip, long hair doesn’t actually drain your energy, but maintaining it absolutely takes effort. Depending on how you approach it, it can feel like either a luxurious self-care ritual or a full-time job that you didn’t apply for but somehow got hired for anyway.
1) Let’s start with the obvious—more hair means MORE wash days (cry), and wash days are not for the weak. If you’ve got long locks, you know the drill, the more inches you have, the more shampoo, more conditioner, and way more time spent in the shower detangling your strands. It’s not just a quick rinse-and-go. It’s a full-on process that involves deep conditioning, finger-combing, and probably standing there contemplating life for an extra five minutes while you wait for your mask to sink in.
2) Then, of course, there’s the drying situation, which is nothing short of an endurance sport. Air-drying might seem like the easy way out, but let’s be honest—it takes forever. You leave the house with damp hair in the morning, and somehow, by lunchtime, your roots are dry but the ends? Still soaking. And if you’re reaching for the blow-dryer, prepare for an arm workout that could rival a Pilates class.
3) Long-haired babes know the emotional turmoil of realizing you forgot to wash your hair early enough before bed and are now faced with two choices: sleep with a wet head and risk waking up in a frizzy disaster, or sacrifice precious sleep for a 45-minute blowout.
4) And let’s not forget styling. If you’re a heat-styling girlie, you’re committing to at least an extra 30 minutes in front of the mirror—because curling, straightening, or even just taming long hair is not a quick process. And if you’re a no-heat queen? That means overnight curls, braiding, or roller sets are a full-on lifestyle, not just a last-minute hack.
5) Then, of course, there’s the product situation. Shampoo? You go through bottles like nobody’s business. Conditioner? You don’t even pretend to use the “quarter-sized amount” recommended on the back of the bottle. Hair masks, serums, heat protectants—your bathroom shelf is never not stocked, and your wallet definitely feels it.
But here’s the real question—does this actually drain your energy, or is it just part of the long hair lifestyle? For some, the process is a meditative, luxurious ritual that makes them feel grounded and empowered. For others, it’s just… stone COLD exhausting. Ultimately, though, whether long hair is a burden or a beauty flex comes down to how you approach it and how much effort you’re willing to put in.
Just remember, high maintenance is only a problem if you don’t enjoy the maintenance.
Self-care or stress? How to make long hair *less* exhausting
Long hair doesn’t have to be a chore, but let’s cut the BS—it definitely tries to test our patience, especially in the mornings. Because if there’s one time when long hair does feel like an energy sucker, it’s when we’re half-asleep, desperately trying to wrestle it into something presentable before we leave the house.
There’s a reason lazy girl hairstyles trend every few months—we’re tired. If we’re being honest, even the thought of a full wash day can feel like too much sometimes. But long hair doesn’t have to be exhausting.
In fact, with the right mindset and routine, it can be one of the most luxurious forms of self-care.
Make your hair routine work for you, not against you
1) Romanticize your routine. If you’re going to spend an hour washing, deep conditioning, and detangling, you might as well make it a whole experience. Light a candle. Put on your favorite playlist. Give yourself a scalp massage that feels like you’re at the spa. The more you treat it like self-care, the less it feels like a chore.
2) Find the low-effort tricks. Not every day has to be a wash, blow-dry, heat-style kind of day. Some days are for the slick-back bun, the claw clip tuck, or heatless waves that do the work for you overnight. The secret is having go-to styles that look effortless (but take five minutes, max).
3) Invest in the right tools. There’s nothing worse than feeling like your hair fights you every step of the way. A microfiber towel speeds up drying time, a detangling brush stops breakage before it starts, and a silk pillowcase keeps everything smooth while you sleep. Small things make a HUGE difference.
4) Streamline your product lineup. Long hair thrives on hydration, but that doesn’t mean you need 15 different products cluttering your bathroom. A good leave-in conditioner, lightweight oil, and nourishing mask are the real MVPs. Less effort, better results.
5) Set the vibe. If your hair is part of your energy, your routine shouldn’t be draining you. Instead of rushing through it, slow down where you can. A 10-minute self-care ritual beats a chaotic 45-minute struggle any day.
So no, long hair isn’t actually “draining” your energy—but if you don’t take care of it efficiently, it can definitely feel like it. The way to kick the energy curse away? Work smarter, NOT harder. We’re already sleepy girls, and we need all the energy we can get.
We’ll say it again for the people at the back—does hair carry energy?
Science says no—your hair isn’t physically draining your energy. It’s dead tissue, meaning it doesn’t pull resources from your body. That means if it’s two inches or waist-length, your body spends the SAME amount of energy growing it.
But maintaining it? That’s another ball game. It calls for more time, more effort, and more emotional turmoil when you realize it’s wash day but absolutely does not feel like it. And if you believe hair holds onto energy, emotions, or memories, then yes—long locks might feel heavier in more ways than one.
At the end of the day, long hair is what you make of it. For some, it’s power, beauty, and self-care. For others, it’s just too much effort. If you love it, keep it. If it’s weighing you down, let it go. The real energy shift? That comes from doing what feels right for you.
And honestly—you’ll look amazing either way.
