Can Certain Marijuana Strains to Prevent Alopecia
Statistica Brain estimates that more than 56 Americans are experiencing hair loss. Hair loss remains a big challenge among people in America. While many people and experts have associated hair loss with men, it’s surprising that approximately 35% of those suffering from the conditions are women.
With the high number of women and women experiencing hair loss increasing, it has caused an increase in the number of hair growth products. The hair growth company and products have developed into one of the multi-billion dollar industries in the United States. Some manufacturers are insisting that they’re selling or providing cannabis-infused products. The manufacturers or distributors view marijuana for hair loss as tangible and real.
So, is marijuana for hair growth real, or is it just a marketing strategy these companies are using? Let’s look at the association between marijuana and hair growth.
What is Hair Loss?
Experts commonly refer to hair loss as alopecia. It’s a common complication among most Americans that involves losing hair follicles permanently. The permanent loss of hair follicles hinders the growth of new hair. Hair loss occurs in different forms, which include
Female and male pattern baldness
Reports show that nearly 50% of men experience male pattern baldness after attaining 50 years. While the condition is common in men, women may also experience pattern baldness. The hair loss form starts with a uniformly receding hairline followed by thinning of the crown and temples.
The receding hairline proceeds until it results in a horseshoe shape, which comes around the back or on the head sides. Studies show that pattern baldness is hereditary in men, while the cause isn’t clear in women.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a common hair loss condition that causes or leads to baldness. The complication may lead to varying sizes of baldness, but commonly it causes baldness resembling large coins. The condition is common and widespread in younger adults, where the patches occur on both sides of the head and some additional body parts.
While most individuals with Alopecia Areata can experience regrowth later in life, the condition might be severe and challenging. The hair loss condition might lead to more debilitating and adverse conditions. These conditions may include Alopecia Univerlia, which occurs the lack of hair on the body or scalp, or Alopecia Totalia, which causes total hair loss on the body or scalp.
Scarring Alopecia
It’s a common and adverse condition that leads to the destruction of the hair follicles. The destruction makes it impossible to have hair regrowth or hair getting back on your scalp or body parts. Experts link this condition to various medical complications affecting the hair follicles.
Other common hair loss forms include
● Telogen Effluvium
● Anagen Effluvium
What are the Symptoms of Hair Loss?
While it generally involves losing hair on the scalp and other body parts, this condition appears in several ways. The symptoms or appearance might be temporary or permanent. Below are the typical or common signs and symptoms of hair loss:
Gradual hair thinning
Experts reveal that hair thinning is the most common form of hair loss among men and women. In males, the gradual hair thinning causes hair on the scalp to start receding for the forehead area in a shape resembling the letter 'M.' However, in women, they may retain hair on the forehead, but the parting nature of the hair becomes broader.
Circular or patchy bald spots
These are common spots that appear on the scalp, eyebrow, or beard. When forming, the skin around the region will appear flaky and itchy. The skin later becomes very loose, allowing the hair to fall out.
Hair suddenly becomes looser
Several emotional or physical shocking things may cause your hair to loosen. Increased loosening of the hair makes some of it fall out while washing or combing it.
Living with Hair Loss
Hair loss has several factors or symptoms that may affect your physical or psychological health. The complete loss of confidence is one of the main issues that come with partial or full hair loss. Hair on the head forms a huge or large identity feature in many individuals. Thus, losing hair in most individuals resembles losing their identity or part of themselves.
Reports show that temporary or permanent hair loss erodes the self-esteem of any patient leading to depression. The Belgravia Center conducted a study in the United Kingdom on hair loss and the psychological effect that comes with hair loss. The finding shows that over 60% of patients with hair loss prefer more hair than money or friends.
Traditional Hair Loss Remedies
Hair loss doesn’t have or pose any life-threatening effects on the health of the patients. With less severe health complications, experts consider cosmetics the appropriate treatment alternative for males and females with hair loss. Most physicians recommend or prescribe medications, like Finasteride and Minoxidil, to alleviate the condition.
Despite these cosmetic medications being effective in alleviating hair loss cases, some serious conditions may require improved or advanced treatment options. You may require strong steroid injections to treat more severe conditions, like alopecia areata. Besides steroid injections, you can also consider some specific ointments, gels, and creams to alleviate serious conditions.
Immunotherapy is also another common treatment most individuals are considering. The treatment works by stimulating hair growth by triggering an allergic reaction to the skin surrounding the affected area. Lastly, you can trigger a hair-regrowth formula with an over-the-counter alternative, considering hair implant surgery or switching to wearing a wig.
Research on Marijuana Use and Hair Loss
Experts have been associating hair loss with androgen receptor activation. Androgen is a special male reproductive hormone, including dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone. Despite ladies having androgens, the hormone comes in lower concentrations.
DHT is a primary androgen in males that’s responsible for male baldness. Despite being dominant and more common in males, androgen may also cause the same symptoms in women. Increased androgen levels may cause some adverse conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome.
While most hair treatment options, such as Finasteride, alleviate hair loss by reducing the synthesis of DHT in the body, the main concern is how marijuana can help the condition.
So, how can marijuana use help hair loss patients?
In 1980, Purohit et al. conducted a study on the association between marijuana and hair loss. The findings revealed that marijuana cannabinoids, especially CBN and THC, inhibit the androgen receptors from binding with DHT. The inhibition of the binding process works similarly to Finasteride’s mechanism of action to prevent partial or full hair loss.
Nevertheless, in 2007 there was a contradicting study showing that the opposite is true. The researchers found out that anandamide ( a common endocannabinoid) and THC inhibited the growth of hair on the scalp or the rest of the body. The study shows that CB1 cannabinoid stimulation could prevent unwanted hair loss. The finding differs from the earlier view of the stimulation causing hair loss.
With the complexity of the contradicting study findings, there is a need for more research to understand this association.
Nevertheless, most marijuana users are unaware of the ability of cannabinoids to reduce anxiety and stress. Despite the therapeutic benefits, the association has been one of the main factors that trigger alopecia. In addition, some studies reveal that high THC doses can increase the risk of anxiety. Experts recommend that you consider the best strains for your hair loss to prevent adverse effects. It’ll be good to choose anxiety-reducing CBD or low-THC strains to treat hair loss.
Top 5 Cannabis Strain for Hair Loss
Despite the lack of scientific evidence on medical marijuana alleviating or preventing hair loss, these strains have properties that can help alleviate hair loss and prevent stress. The ability of the strains to prevent stress and anxiety makes them offer an indirect way to address hair loss.
Critical Mass
Critical Mass is an Indica hybrid dominant strain that results after manufacturers cross the Afghan and Skunk #1 strain. While manufacturers create it with a 5% CBD content, the strains can come with higher CBD content, up to 22%. With slightly lower CBD levels and contents, the strain may get you high immediately after consuming before lowering the effect to make you feel sleepy.
The initial high you feel after taking Critical Mass makes you feel euphoric and enhances creativity. However, the effects get lower after some time, and you soon start feeling sleepy. Experts describe it as the best lazy afternoon or evening marijuana strain to help lower stress levels and enhance stimulation. However, it may not be the best option to take during the day, as sleepiness may interfere with your routine tasks.
Ringo Gift
It’s a Sativa-dominant hybrid strain (60%) containing 20% CBD and 1% THC. With the high CBD levels, you can consider it for alleviating stress without causing psychoactive effects. Importantly, the low THC levels allow stress relief without worrying about a possible ‘high’ or intoxicating feeling. The strain is popular for CBD oils and shatters as it rewards users with a minty exhale and earthy flavor.
After consuming the Ringo Gift, the effects begin as an intense cerebral feeling. The feeling may take some time before a rush of happiness that makes you sociable kicks in. Lastly, you’ll start experiencing a body-high feeling without any sign of couch locking feature. Despite the body's high feeling, you’ll start feeling an incredibly relaxed feeling.
Corazon
It’s one of the latest marijuana strains, which is a cross between Charlotte’s Web and AC/DC. The manufacturers create the product with 2.71% THC and 22.5% CBD, making it the strain with the highest CBD content. Despite being available in the market for a few years, Corazon has provided numerous benefits to users.
The name refers to the heart in Spanish, and the manufacturers reveal that you can easily fall in love with this strain. Experts reveal that Corazon has become a key strain for relieving stress. Importantly, the strain doesn’t result in any intoxicating effects but enhances an incredible feeling.
Valentine X
Valentine X comes in numerous versions containing varying components. The common ones have approximately 18% CBD content, and the 50:50 hybrid strain contains small quantities of THC. Experts reveal that Valentine X is one of the most powerful pain relievers due to its fast-acting effects. After taking just a couple of smoke joints, you can start feeling the magic working of the marijuana.
Nevertheless, the strain doesn’t have an overwhelming euphoric feeling, and you can start feeling tranquillity after taking a few joints. Thanks to high CBD concentration, the strain provides the best results for reducing stress and alleviating your moods.
Cannatonic
Studies show that Cannatonic is one of the most popular cannabis strains. Despite having an interesting name, you can’t get ‘high’ after using this strain. Instead of causing a ‘high’ feeling, the strain uses its CBD content (above 12%) to enhance the pain-relieving effects.
Studies show that you'll experience an uplifting and steady high when using this strain. The feeling provides a sense of relaxation to keep the mind sharp. It's one of the easiest and cheapest strains to find, as manufacturers create it from a blend of MK Ultra and G-13.
Final Thoughts on Marijuana Use and Hair Loss
Despite most hair loss resulting from cosmetics, it’s usually distressing to temporarily or fully lose your hair. Unfortunately, choosing the most appropriate way to combat hair loss is usually hard. Despite the difficulties of getting an effective and best alternative, the above marijuana strains could offer much-needed comfort.
The stress reduction properties in the cannabis strains indirectly help to combat hair loss. Nevertheless, there is no clinical evidence promoting or supporting the use of these strains to alleviate hair loss issues. Thus, ensure that you use the products at your discretion.
Switching to medical marijuana use will help you combat the disturbing hair loss condition. HappyMD will gladly guide you through the process, from evaluating your condition to advising on the best strains and getting the MMJ recommendations. The platform also allows a seamless process of applying for and getting your medical marijuana card online. Apply today at HappyMD to get your MMJ card instantly and start obtaining these products.
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