CBD has been found to significantly increase hair growth in a case study conducted at the Hair and Scalp centre in Florida, USA,
The results of the study showed that by giving patients a precise dose of cannabidiol, the cannabis-derived molecule that had a worldwide market value of $2.8 billion in 2020, hair regrowth could be increased by up to 120.1%.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a condition where hair follicles gradually decrease in size over time leading to baldness. AGA, also referred to as male pattern baldness, is said to affect between 50-80% of males and around 15-25% of females.
The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a key player in hair follicle development. The ECS is made up of receptors that are placed all over the body, and they are shown to be more abundant in hair follicle cells, giving the researchers a clear incentive to research CBD.
In the study, adult subjects not currently using popular hair loss treatments minoxidil or finasteride were offered the opportunity to receive a topical hemp based treatment free of charge. The volunteers were given a topical extract in a 2 oz (around 60 ml) jar once a month, and advised to apply a thin layer once each morning to the areas of hair loss. The topical was made up of powdered hemp extract infused into a lanolin base paste and natural Emu oil carrier. Each 2 oz jar contained 1000 mg of the powder, with a CBD content of 108mg.
The results after 6 months were highly promising. The hair counts in the areas around the temples increased 74.1% in men, and 55.2% in women. In the crown area hair counts increased 120.1% for men, and 64.9% for women. One-third of the patients reported some slightly increased hair loss during the first month of treatment. This was no longer was reported at the two-month visit and there were no further side effects reported.
Encouraging as the results are, a similar study from the Research Society on Marijuana showed CBD’s effects on hair growth is strictly dose-dependent, missing the dose by a small margin can result in the opposite effect – hair loss. However this case study supports significant hair regrowth benefits in both men and women with AGA, and will lead to further studies into the benefits of topical CBD for hair loss.
