<b>Results</b>: Psychological distress is associated with hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and peripheral neurogenic inflammation (e.g., Substance P, corticotropin-releasing hormone), exacerbating stress-sensitive conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and chronic pruritus. The gene discussed is TAC1; the disease is acne.