Yo what’s good, it’s your boy Dan here and let’s talk about the real issue that affects millions of Americans – hair loss. According to Statistic Brain, a whopping 56 million people in the US are dealing with hair loss. And get this, it ain’t just men, up to 37.5% of sufferers are women too! No wonder hair growth products make mad money, it’s a multi-billion dollar industry out here. But wait, there’s more – some manufacturers are even selling weed-infused products and claiming that cannabis can cure hair loss. Is it legit though or just another marketing scheme? Let’s find out.
What’s Hair Loss?
Before we dive into the relationship between marijuana and hair loss, let’s first understand what we’re dealing with. Also known as alopecia, hair loss is when the hair follicles are permanently damaged and can’t grow new hair. There are different types of alopecia such as male and female pattern baldness, alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, anagen effluvium and telogen effluvium.
Symptoms of Hair Loss
Hair loss may appear in various ways and can be temporary or permanent. The signs include gradual hair thinning which is most common in both genders, patchy or circular bald spots that can occur on the scalp, beard or eyebrow and loose hair which could fall out when you try to comb it.
Living with Hair Loss
Hair loss can be a tough pill to swallow for many individuals as it can lead to a complete loss of confidence. For some people, their hair is a significant part of their identity and losing it can make them feel like they’re losing a part of themselves. It can even lead to depression, as their self-esteem takes a hit. According to the Belgravia Centre in the UK, 60% of hair loss sufferers would rather have more hair than friends or money!
Traditional Hair Loss Remedies
Treatment for male or female pattern baldness is considered cosmetic as it doesn’t pose an immediate threat to health. Common medications include minoxidil and finasteride while more severe cases like alopecia areata may require steroid injections or creams. Other options include over-the-counter hair regrowth formula, hair implant surgery or wearing a wig.
Research on Marijuana and Hair Loss
Hair loss is often associated with the activation of androgen receptors which are male reproductive hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the main hormone involved in male pattern baldness and may cause similar symptoms in women with high levels of androgens. Hair loss treatments like finasteride work by reducing DHT synthesis but what about weed?
A study from 1980 found that cannabinoids including THC and CBN inhibit DHT binding at androgen receptors which means that weed could potentially prevent hair loss like finasteride does. However, another study from 2007 suggests the opposite – that THC could actually inhibit hair growth.
It’s a tricky subject and more research is needed to understand how marijuana affects hair loss but we do know that cannabinoids have potential in reducing stress and anxiety which could contribute to some types of alopecia. THC on the other hand can increase anxiety in high doses so individuals looking for weed strains for hair loss should opt for varieties with low THC content but plenty of anxiety-reducing CBD.
Final Thoughts
Hair loss can be tough but combating it isn’t easy either. We don’t know enough about the effects of weed on hair loss yet, but we do know that there’s potential in marijuana-infused products. Whether it’s a legit solution or not, it’s up to you to decide. But one thing’s for sure, if you’re dealing with hair loss, don’t hit the panic button just yet. There are plenty of treatments out there that you can try out. Stay hopeful fam, don’t let it get you down.