Cannabis and hair loss: all the info

Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors, e.g. genetic factors, hormonal changes, medication and much more.

But what about your favorite, uh... extracurricular activity? Specifically, what about the effects of marijuana on hair loss?

Many people believe that marijuana can lead to hair loss. Is that true? Marijuana causes hair loss? Read on!

Marijuana and hair loss

Let's get straight to the point: there are not many studies that prove that there is a link between marijuana and hair loss.

One of the studies suggesting that marijuana could potentially lead to hair loss dates back to 2007. The study states that THC (an active ingredient in marijuana, but I don't have to tell you that...) can deposit on hair follicles - this in turn can prevent hair growth and suppress the production of hair follicle proteins.

There are also some studies that report that smoking marijuana can cause certain conditions that can lead to hair loss.

It is also believed that regular marijuana use stimulates the pleasure-seeking part of your brain. This in turn could lead to you seeking out tasty (but unhealthy) foods while high.

Studies have also shown that a lack of nutrients in the diet (especially a lack of iron and zinc) can have a negative effect on hair health.

So if you're often high and stuffing yourself with junk food, you may not be getting enough essential vitamins and amino acids and your hair may suffer as a result.

As you can see, a lot has to go wrong to arrive at the hypothesis that marijuana causes hair loss.

Rather, researchers have proven that there is a link between smoking cigarettes and hair loss. One of the negative effects of cigarettes is that they damage the hair strands.

So if you smoke marijuana, it is reasonable to conclude that it is the act of smoking itself and not the active ingredient THC that damages your hair. But here, too, there is still insufficient evidence.

Treatment options

Whether due to marijuana use or for any other reason, if you are struggling with hair loss, the first thing you should do is consult a specialist.

From topical serums and nutritional supplements to low level laser therapy, there are many ways to curb hair loss. The right combination at the right time and in the right dosage can even regrow hair. Here are a few common treatment options:

Finasteride

The prescription drug finasteride (Propecia®) is often used to treat genetic hair loss. It works by preventing the body from converting testosterone into dehydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes genetic hair loss.

This treatment option has proven to be very effective. In a recently published independent study, it was found that over 90% of men who took finasteride over a period of several years were able to stop their hair loss. And 91.5 percent of these men regrew their hair.

But be careful: Taking finasteride often leads to unpleasant side effects such as reduced sperm production or psychological problems.

Minoxidil

This topical treatment is available in liquid and foam form. The active ingredient minoxidil was originally used to lower blood pressure as it has a vasodilating effect. And it is precisely thanks to this vasodilating effect that hair can grow back stronger and more abundantly.

A 2019 review of studies on minoxidil confirmed that it can promote hair growth in both men and women suffering from hair loss.

Low level laser therapy

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a modern treatment method for hair loss and hair thinning. It is a method with a very promising effect, especially in combination with topical serums. LLLT is intended to increase blood circulation in the hairy area of the head without causing any undesirable side effects. It is absolutely painless, harmless and free of any side effects.

Shampoo against hair loss

Some shampoos have been specially developed to thicken the hair and stimulate hair growth. However, the active ingredients contained in a shampoo, even if they are the right ones, are only on the scalp for a very short time and are then washed out again. As a result, the effect is usually lost.

Biotin

You've probably seen biotin gummies on Instagram or in the drugstore. They have become a popular product because they are believed to promote hair growth.

Biotin is a B vitamin that is known for its positive effects on hair. One study found that women with thinning hair who took an oral biotin supplement had more hair regrowth than women who took a placebo.

Some foods such as eggs, milk and bananas naturally contain biotin.

So if you're worried that you're not getting enough from your diet, a biotin supplement could help.

However, there are many other nutrients that are essential for hair - so it's best to use a nutrient complex with biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, iron and selenium.

Lifestyle Tweaks

Eating the right foods can help improve your hair health. However, improving your lifestyle will not stop hair loss or regrow hair.

In addition to biotin, studies have shown that an insufficient intake of iron and zinc in the diet can be bad for hair health.

This study also found that hair health improved in those who increased their iron and zinc intake.

Some good sources of zinc are crab, cashew nuts and oatmeal. To increase your iron intake, you should include spinach, meat and seafood in your diet.

Marijuana and your hair

The final word on the subject of weed and hair loss is that there is no final word. There are some studies that speak for a negative effect and some that speak against it. Clear proof has therefore definitely not yet been provided.

The bright spot in all of this? No matter what the cause of your hair loss, there are treatment options you can try. To find out the best way to achieve healthy hair, you should first speak to a specialist.

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