In Search Of A Cure For Baldness: Study Reveals Hemp Oil High In CBD, THCV And CBDV Can Foster Hair Growth

If your hair is thinning, you're not alone. Up to 50% of both men and women are affected by progressive loss of terminal hair of the scalp, or androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

Despite hair loss being common across the world, the cure has yet to be found. Researchers are not giving up though. A new small sample study is showing promising results. The study published recently in the International Journal of Trichology revealed the potential of cannabinoids to foster hair regrowth. The goal of the study was to determine if daily topical application of a hemp oil high in CBD, THCV and CBDV concentrations can help promote hair growth.

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 any time after a person goes through puberty.

It is interesting to note that even though baldness is common around the globe, that are some parts of the world that have higher rates of male pattern baldness, which is less common among women. For example, the highest rates are found in Spain, the Czech Republic, France and the U.S. It is least common in New Zealand and Finland. One thing is certain: if a cure for hair loss is found, bald people from all corners of the earth will surely be ecstatic.

Study Highlights

A total of 31 individuals (15 men and 16 women) with AGA took part in this study. Participants applied a topical hemp extract formulation once a day for six months. Before and after the treatment, researchers counted hairs on the parts of the head most affected by alopecia and even applied a permanent tattoo as a mark to make sure the hair count analysis is consistent.

Participants were also required to rate their psychosocial perception of “scalp coverage” improvement after the study was finalized. The qualitative scale included "very unhappy," "unhappy," "neutral," "happy," and "very happy."

Researchers concluded that all subjects had some regrowth. “This ranged from 31.25% (from 16 to 21 hairs) to 2000% (from 1 to 21 hairs),” the authors wrote. “The average increase was statistically significant 246% (15.07 hairs/cm2 increase) 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 “mild” to “extensive” improvement.

The authors noted that the topical hemp formulation was “superior” to oral finasteride. 5% minoxidil once daily foam and CBD topical extract alonan. Finasteride is an antiandrogen commonly used to treat male pattern hair loss by blocking the body’s production of a male hormone in the scalp that stops hair growth and is also used as a preventive for prostate cancer. However, the trial results also raised the possibility that finasteride might increase the risk of high-grade (potentially more aggressive) prostate cancer.

It is important to mention that the authors didn’t detail how the topical hemp formulation was superior to other treatments. Was it the results of hair growth only and how was this compared? Or was it superior because it fostered similar hair growth to let’s say finasteride, but had no adverse effects and other high risks? Either way, the results seem promising.

Researchers also highlighted that this hemp extract functions via novel mechanisms that are completely different from both finasteride and minoxidil. This means that when combined they could potentially produce synergistic effects, though the safety and efficacy of this combination is yet to be examined.

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Photo: Courtesy of Joseph Greve on Unsplash