Does CBD Help Slow or Stop Hair Loss?

• Medical marijuana patients use CBD to manage debilitating chronic symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and muscle spasticity. Recent research shows that it can also promote hair growth thanks to CBD’s effects on the endocannabinoid system.
• CBD interacts with endocannabinoid receptors responsible for regulating the hair growth cycle. By applying CBD topically to the scalp, you can potentially stimulate hair growth at the root.
• According to one study, three to four milligrams of CBD daily can lead to noticeable results in six months. While you can’t get a medical card for hair loss, you can qualify if you have a condition that contributes to it.

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, offers holistic relief for a swath of health conditions including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, PTSD, seizure disorders, muscle spasms, and more.

But does CBD also hold the key to luscious, flowing locks?

Many CBD oils on the market claim to stimulate hair growth—and according to some studies, they may work. However, you need the proper dosage to achieve your desired results.

TeleLeaf is here to untangle the science behind CBD’s diverse therapeutic impacts, including its potential to slow hair loss. Tease out its added benefits for yourself with a medical marijuana recommendation from one of our licensed clinicians.

How Does CBD Work?

To understand how CBD aids hair growth, you first need a quick biology lesson. (Don’t pull your hair out—we’ll make it simple.)

Understanding the Endocannabinoid System

Many of your most essential internal functions are regulated by a vast network of signals and receptors, collectively known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS plays a role in controlling your:

• Pain sensation
• Mood
• Appetite
• Inflammatory and immune responses
• Sleep cycles
• Memory
• Learning
• Internal temperature

Chemical messengers called endocannabinoids can activate and deactivate the endocannabinoid receptors spread throughout the body, balancing each internal function as needed.

Cannabinoids exist in other living things, too—including the cannabis plant.

CBD and the Endocannabinoid System

Cannabis contains over a hundred distinct cannabinoids. You likely know of two cannabinoids already: THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, and CBD.

The cannabinoids found in cannabis closely resemble the structures of your body’s endocannabinoids. This allows them to interact with the ECS in nearly identical ways. However, each cannabinoid has a unique therapeutic impact depending on how it influences your endocannabinoid receptors.

CBD stands out from the cannabinoid pack for its potent therapeutic properties—and lack of psychoactive effects. CBD doesn’t activate the endocannabinoid receptors responsible for producing euphoric “high” sensations. For users who experience high-induced anxiety or paranoia, CBD offers a straightforward healing solution.

The Top Benefits of CBD

Researchers don’t know exactly how CBD interacts with the ECS, but both recreational users and medical patients benefit from its calming properties—from head to toe.

Here are just a few ways CBD helps people heal from the inside out. CBD:

• Relieves pain – Patients note chronic pain relief as one of the most significant benefits of CBD. THC products also relieve pain but can produce unwanted psychoactive effects. With CBD, you can simply unwind, worry-free.
• Boosts mental health – People living with mental health conditions including depression and anxiety use CBD to alleviate a restless mind and uplift low moods. It can even reduce instances of nightmares for people with PTSD.
• Protects the brain – The ECS spans the entire body, including the brain. Many patients living with neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease benefit from CBD’s neuroprotective properties.
• Promotes sleep – CBD’s deeply relaxing properties offer high-quality sleep solutions to people living with sleep issues such as insomnia.
• Reduces inflammation – CBD relieves pain by reducing inflammation. People with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions apply CBD directly to their pain points to alleviate aches from swollen joints and muscles.

These are the most common and well-documented uses of CBD, but people continue to find other ways it promotes holistic healing—including slowing hair loss.

How CBD May Slow Hair Loss

As explained above, the endocannabinoid system controls a wide variety of internal functions. Some studies show that it may also regulate hair growth.

The secret lies in two endocannabinoid receptors and their connections to hair growth:

• Vanilloid receptor-1 (TRPV1) receptors – TRPV1 receptors live primarily in hair follicle cells. When activated, they initiate the catagen phase of the hair growth cycle, which slows hair follicles’ production.
• CB1 receptors – The brain and central nervous system contain the highest concentrations of CB1 receptors, but they also exist in hair follicle cells to help regulate hair growth cycles.

CBD interacts with both receptor types, influencing their effects on hair growth.

Some research suggests that CBD can overwhelm and desensitize TRPV1 receptors, preventing them from slowing and stopping hair growth. Additionally, CBD binds to CB1 receptors on the scalp and hair follicles, which may stimulate hair growth.

Applying topical CBD to the scalp grants the CBD easy access to hair follicles and their endocannabinoid receptors. With consistent use over time, the CBD treatment can slow hair loss and promote a healthier scalp.

Using CBD Oil for Hair Loss

Since very few studies have researched CBD’s effects on hair growth, it’s difficult to provide concrete application recommendations.

In the study described above, participants administered three to four milligrams of topical CBD to the scalp once per day. Despite uncertainties, they achieved overwhelmingly positive results: after six months, researchers documented a 93.5% increase in hair growth.

You might assume that applying greater amounts of CBD will enhance your hair growth. In fact, the opposite may be true. If you apply too much CBD, your hair follicles could enter the catagen phase and inhibit hair growth. For the best results, stick to the recommended dosage.

Many topical CBD products are specifically designed to target hair loss. Consider trying CBD-infused:

• Scalp oils
• Hair growth serums
• Shampoos
• Conditioners

Most CBD hair products contain other ingredients known to promote hair growth. Before using any CBD product on your scalp, perform a patch test on a small area of skin. This will alert you to any skin sensitivities you may have before applying a large amount.

And, if you currently use other hair loss treatments such as minoxidil or finasteride, you can still apply topical CBD. Since each medication targets hair loss through a different channel, it’s generally safe to combine them. Speak to a healthcare provider to learn which hair growth method (or methods) will suit you best.

Other Ways CBD Benefits Hair and Scalp Health

CBD may also help you manage the root cause of your hair issues. Some people use CBD to treat common conditions that contribute to hair loss, including:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Eczema
• Psoriasis

With CBD, you can soothe your worries and your scalp. Its mind-body therapeutic effects benefit people experiencing stress-related hair loss and inflammatory skin conditions that inhibit hair growth.

Can You Get a Medical Marijuana Card for Hair Loss?

Hair loss can be a constant pain point in many people’s lives. But states with medical marijuana programs don’t consider it a debilitating condition, so it’s not included as a qualifying condition for a medical card.

You can’t access medical cannabis for hair loss conditions such as alopecia. However, you can qualify based on other conditions that may contribute to hair loss, such as:

• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Severe psoriasis
• Certain inflammatory conditions

To find out if you qualify, you can meet with a clinician to discuss your needs and learn your options. Do it all today from the comfort of your home with TeleLeaf.

Gain Access to Medical Cannabis with TeleLeaf

While CBD may help slow or stop hair loss, it can do so much more. Medical cannabis, including CBD, offers a wealth of therapeutic benefits for people living with debilitating conditions.

All you need to access this transformative holistic treatment is a medical recommendation from a state-certified doctor. Get yours today with TeleLeaf.

You can connect virtually with an experienced medical marijuana doctor as soon as today. During your quick call, your doctor will assess your symptoms and grant you immediate access to licensed medical cannabis dispensaries in your state.

Schedule your appointment now to unlock lasting relief—the entire sign-up process takes less than 15 minutes.

Sources:

Healthline. Can CBD Be Used for Hair Growth?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Harvard Health Publishing. The endocannabinoid system: Essential and mysterious.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-endocannabinoid-system-essential-and-mysterious-202108112569

Healthline. 6 Health Benefits of CBD Oil — and a Look at Side Effects.
https://www.healthline.com/

National Library of Medicine. Hair Regrowth with Cannabidiol (CBD)-rich Hemp Extract – A Case Series.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

ProCon.org. State-by-State Medical Marijuana Laws.
https://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/legal-medical-marijuana-states-and-dc