Hair thinning is something both men and women struggle with. Hair loss is also a cause of worry because of its profound psychological effects. The hair loss treatment industry is estimated to have made $3.3B in revenue in 2021.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, and it has been used for a variety of wellness applications from relaxation, sleep aid, immune support, and so much more. Some people have seen good results from using CBD oil topically on the scalp or skin because of its potential anti-inflammatory properties, which could also aid in promoting healthier hair follicles.
If you're considering trying out some topical CBD products for your beauty routine, we'll look at what the current research says about the potential of CBD hair oil and scalp care.
TLDR:
- Common causes of hair loss for both men and women are genetics, medical condition, medication side effects, stress, and hormonal changes
- Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally-derived compound from the cannabis plant that's been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant properties which some people believe may help with stimulating hair growth or rescue damaged hair
- CBD products can be taken internally (CBD oil, gummies, smokables) and externally (infused hair products, lotions, massage oil), but there's not enough medical research on CBD's effects on scalp and hair
- Some people supplement CBD oil in their wellness regimen to support healthy stress levels, which could be the reason behind damaged or thinning hair
- CBD infused hair products may help to lock in moisture to alleviate dry scalp and dandruff, help strengthen hair strands, and nourish dry hair
- While CBD may have some potential to support cell regeneration (in animal studies), it's not shown to stimulate hair growth in balding areas
Can You Use CBD Oil For Hair Support Healthy Hair?
There are two ways in which we can see CBD oil effective for supporting lush hair—for use internally as a supplement for the endocannabinoid system manage stress levels and topically as CBD products to nourish and protect the scalp.
CBD Oil May Support Healthy Stress Levels
While stress is a biological response that's meant to motivate and self-preserve, prolonged stress can lead to a host of health issues. When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol (the primary stress hormone). One of its side-effects, in chronic stress cases, is temporary hair loss and acne breakouts.
CBD oil can help some people manage healthy stress levels. In preclinical trials, CBD was observed to improve GABA activity in the brain, which counteracts the fight-or-flight response, supporting muscle relaxation and reducing feelings of nervousness [3].
CBD Oil May Have Anti-Inflammatory Benefits That Supports Healthy Scalp
Scalp inflammation is a common symptom of many scalp and skin conditions and can be caused by external factors like shampooing too frequently or using the wrong products or from mental or physical stress, allergies, or even an unhealthy diet.
The scalp has a lot of blood vessels and nerves which makes it susceptible to inflammation as well. CBD oil may help by reducing inflammation on the scalp which can ultimately lead to healthier hair.
CBD Oil and Hemp Seed Oil Are Not The Same
Choose yourproductcarefully when applying to your hair.
CBD oil and hemp seed oil are two types of oils that come from the same plant, Cannabis sativa.
Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds, while CBD (cannabidiol) comes from the resin on the leaves and flowers.
The differences between these two oils extend far beyond their names; they also differ in how they can be used therapeutically nutritionally, and industrially. For one, hemp seeds do not contain cannabinoids or terpenes, which means they don't offer any benefits towards supporting the endocannabinoid system. However, hemp seed oil is high in essential fatty acids and gamma-linolenic acid, which does help to condition and deeply nourish the skin, which can help to promote a healthier scalp.
How Are People Using CBD Hair Oil To Support Healthy Hair?
CBD hair oil is different from your typical CBD oil—one is designed as a hair product, while the other is for internal supplemental use. While we're sure you could put any CBD oil in your hair, you'd probably end up with an overly greasy scalp if you use too much. Alternatively, some people also add a few drops of high potency CBD oil to their shampoo to enrich it with cannabinoids, but we find that purchasing a CBD shampoo to be much more convenient.
Look for soothing skin scalp oil that contains a high percentage of CBD (at least 10 mg/mL)—otherwise, you likely won't experience any of the potential benefits of the compound
Will CBD Oil for Hair Get You High?
CBD is a non-psychotropic compound—it will not get most people high, even if they were to ingest it in large quantities.
Moreover, cannabinoids applied to the skin don't enter the bloodstream. Instead, it interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in skin tissues to support ECS function, so you don't have to worry about potentially getting high from your CBD shampoo or hair oil.
Can CBD Gummies help hair growth?
Scientific studies have started to explore the potential benefits of CBD, including its effects on hair growth. Preliminary research and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD's anti-inflammatory properties and its role in regulating sebum production could potentially benefit hair health. Nevertheless, more robust and large-scale studies on humans are necessary to fully understand and validate these potential benefits.
Can CBD cause hair loss?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that CBD causes hair loss. On the contrary, CBD has been studied for its potential benefits in promoting hair health due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its role in regulating sebum production. However, individual reactions to CBD can vary, and more research is needed to fully understand the impact of CBD on hair health. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
Takeaway: Are CBD Hair Products Worthwhile?
CBD products are everywhere these days and it is easy to get lost in the sea of CBD oil, balms, edibles, and other CBD products.
While there are some interesting studies underway about the potential health benefits of CBD to support immune function and stress levels, there's not enough evidence to support its use as a hair growth compound.
Are CBD hair oils and shampoos a must in everyone's beauty routine? No, but there's no harm in trying it for yourself too as long as you know what to look for—just don't expect miracle results as there are no FDA-approved hair loss CBD products out there, so don't fall prey to marketing scams.
Not all CBD hair care products are made equal. Look carefully at the ingredient list to make sure it's free from harmful irritants and chemicals that can worsen the condition of your scalp. You also want to reference the third-party lab tests to ensure that the CBD content is labeled on the bottle matches the certificate of analysis.
FAQS:
Is CBD Oil Effective For Growing Hair?
Unfortunately, there are not enough studies that look at the effectiveness of CBD hair products at growing hair, but in theory, many CBD hair care products contain a lot of great nutrients such as vitamin A, C, and E that can help promote a healthy scalp for hair growth.
Can I Put CBD Oil Directly On My Scalp?
We recommend using your CBD oil as directed on the bottle. Most CBD oils are intended for internal use as a daily supplement. And while you can apply it to your skin and scalp, it might leave your hair feeling greasy and weighed down.
Instead, look for a CBD hair product that's formulated to be a shampoo or leave-in treatment for nourishing hair.
Are CBD Hair Products Safe?
CBD is considered a safe and well-tolerated compound when ingested. In hair care, you should always patch test the formula on your skin to ensure you're not allergic to CBD or any other active ingredients in the product.
What are common causes of Hair Losses?
Hair loss can be triggered by various factors. Some common causes include genetic predispositions, such as androgenic alopecia, certain medical conditions like alopecia areata and trichotillomania, and side effects from medications or treatments such as chemotherapy. Other triggers could be stress, hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause, and physical damage from hairstyles or treatments like hot oil applications
Does THC cause Hair loss?
There's no direct scientific evidence suggesting that THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, causes hair loss. However, chronic and heavy use of THC could potentially lead to lifestyle changes or stressors that indirectly contribute to hair loss, such as poor nutrition or increased stress levels.
References:
- SingleCare (April 20, 2020).The 2020 CBD survey.https://www.singlecare.com/blog/cbd-survey/
- Grinspoon, Peter (September 24, 2021)Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don't.Harvard Health Publishing.https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-c...
- Bakas, T., Van Nieuwenhuijzen, P. S., Devenish, S. O., McGregor, I. S., Arnold, J. C., & Chebib, M. (2017). The direct actions of cannabidiol and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol at GABAA receptors.Pharmacological research,119, 358-370.
- World Health Organization (November 2017)CANNABIDIOL (CBD)https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-s...
