Hair Regrowth Study Shows Promise Using Cannabinoid Extracts

While cannabis cannot yet start Russian motorcycles and bring back a lost love (although…), it could promote hair regrowth!

A recent study by Gregory Luke Smith, focusing on a series of cases, looks into hair regrowth using a cannabis extract enriched with cannabinoids: cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and cannabidivarin (CBDV). The study, published in the International Journal of Trichology, reveals promising results in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

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The Endocannabinoid System and Hair Follicles

The endocannabinoid system, a complex cell signaling system discovered in the 1990s, plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating inflammatory responses and promoting regeneration processes.

Smith’s study focuses on three specific cannabinoids present in the cannabis extract – CBD, THCV, and CBDV – and their unique therapeutic effects on hair regrowth through the endocannabinoid system.

Unlike traditional approaches, these cannabinoids present a different method of action, acting as either partial or complete CB1 antagonists and agonists of the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) and vanilloid-4 (TRPV4) receptors, all linked to the function of the hair follicle.

Research Methodology and Goal

The case series involved 31 subjects with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), who used a topical formulation of cannabis extract once a day for a period of 6 months. The subjects, including men and women of various ethnicities, showed an average increase of 246% in hair count for men and 127% for women.

The goal was to determine if the daily application of a cannabis oil high in CBD, THCV, and CBDV could improve hair regrowth in the most affected areas of the scalp.

Hair Regrowth Results and Conclusions

The results are quite remarkable. All subjects experienced some level of hair regrowth, ranging from 31.25% to an astonishing 2000%. The average increase was statistically significant, and no adverse effects were reported.

Furthermore, subjects reported a positive psychosocial perception of the effects of hair regrowth, declaring themselves “happy” or “very happy”. Independent reviews of before-and-after photographs supported these claims, revealing improvements in scalp coverage ranging from “slight” to “significant”.

The study concludes that, although the exact therapeutic mechanisms are not fully understood, THCV and CBDV probably function as neutral antagonists of the CB1 receptor, while CBD acts as a partial antagonist of the CB1 receptor, potentially through the Wnt signaling pathway.

The three cannabinoids function as agonists of TRPV1, another endocannabinoid receptor. The inclusion of menthol in the peppermint extract is thought to contribute to the rapid onset of the anagen phase, which promotes hair regrowth.

Implications and Future Hair Regrowth Research Prospects

This groundbreaking study paves the way for further research on the synergy between cannabis extract and conventional hair regrowth therapies. Notably, the topical cannabis formulation demonstrated superiority over daily oral finasteride and 5% minoxidil foam, thus showcasing its potential as a complementary treatment. The safety and efficacy of combining this cannabis extract with existing medications deserve further evaluation.

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(Featured image by Towfiqu barbhuiya via Unsplash)

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