Study: CBD may be effective against alopecia and hair loss
If your hair is thinning, you are not alone. Up to 50% of men and women are affected by progressive terminal hair loss of the scalp, or androgenetic alopecia (AGA)
By El Planteo
Although hair loss is common worldwide, a cure has not yet been found. But researchers are not giving up: a new study with small samples shows promising results.
This study recently published in the International Journal of Trichology revealed the potential of cannabinoids to promote hair growth. The study aimed to determine if daily topical application of a hemp oil with high concentrations of CBD, THCV, and CBDV could help promote hair growth against alopecia.
According to data from the National Library of Medicine, androgenetic alopecia is a genetically predetermined disorder due to an excessive response to androgens, which can develop at any time after puberty.
It is interesting to note that, although baldness is common worldwide, some parts of the world have higher rates of male baldness, which is less common among women. For example, higher rates are recorded in Spain, the Czech Republic, France, and the USA. It is less common in New Zealand and Finland.
Highlights of the study on alopecia and CBD
A total of 31 individuals (15 men and 16 women) with AGA participated in this study. Participants applied a topical formulation of hemp extract once a day for six months. Before and after treatment, researchers counted the hairs on the most affected parts of the head by alopecia and even applied a permanent tattoo as a mark to ensure the hair count analysis was consistent.
Participants were also asked to evaluate their psychosocial perception of improvement in “scalp coverage” after the study's completion. The qualitative scale included “very dissatisfied,” “dissatisfied,” “neutral,” “happy,” and “very happy.”
Researchers concluded that all individuals had grown some hair. “Growth ranged from 31.25% (16 to 21 hairs) to 2,000% (1 to 21 hairs),” the authors wrote. “The average increase was statistically significant: 246% (increase of 15.07 hairs/cm2) in men and 127% (16.06 hairs/cm2) in women.”
It is important to note that there were no adverse effects
All participants rated their psychosocial perception of the treatment as 'happy' or 'very happy,' while an independent review of scalp photographs showed an improvement from 'slight' to 'extensive.'
The authors noted that the hemp topical formulation was “superior” to oral finasteride. Finasteride is a commonly used antiandrogen to treat male pattern baldness, blocking the production of a male hormone on the scalp that disrupts hair growth and is also used as a preventive for prostate cancer. However, the study results also raised the possibility that finasteride may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer (potentially more aggressive).
It is important to mention that the authors did not detail how the hemp topical formulation was superior to other alopecia treatments. Only based on hair growth results? How does it compare? Or do they consider this treatment superior to others because it promotes hair growth similar to, say, finasteride, but without adverse effects or other elevated risks? Either way, the results seem promising.
Researchers also highlighted that this hemp extract works through new mechanisms that are completely different from finasteride and minoxidil. This means that when combined, they may produce synergistic effects, although the safety and efficacy of this combination have not yet been examined.