By Max Sargent

You’d be forgiven for thinking that cannabis could cure any problem and improve all aspects of your health. People are wont to misinterpret research (both good and bad) for their own ends. When it comes to cannabis and hair, it is no different. Does weed make your hair grow? Is CBD good for hair loss? Scour the web and you'll find a wealth of information in the affirmative, but the truth is not so clear cut.

So, in this article, we look at a selection of studies and try to understand what effects cannabis may or may not have on the health of your hair.


Some claim that cannabis can help hair grow, while others claim that it makes hair fall out. Some suggest inhaling cannabis in order to benefit the hair, while others suggest using topical creams or other methods. Some recommend THC to stimulate hair growth, and others recommend CBD.

THC and CBD for Hair

So, what is the link between cannabis and hair growth/loss? The short answer: it’s complex and unclear. Before we go any further, it’s worth noting that there is no one, single effect that cannabis has on hair growth. There are two main reasons for this.

First, hair growth comes down to a multitude of factors, both genetic and environmental. Cannabis, in some cases, may be able to influence these, but it’s unlikely to ever be the deciding factor.

Second, cannabis is a cocktail of hundreds of active compounds—and each strain is different. So saying cannabis has one specific effect on hair growth is missing the point that cannabis is not a single, uniform substance.

With that said, below we attempt to break everything down a little and investigate what effects THC and CBD, in isolation, might have on hair growth. Even then, we will see that the answers remain unclear.

THC and Hair

THC is the most abundant cannabinoid in most strains of cannabis, and it’s the one that causes the famous “high”. There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding how THC might impact hair health, but let’s try to "detangle" the research available.

Serum Testosterone

A 2017 study investigated the effects of THC intake on testosterone levels[1]. Previous research had shown mixed, contradictory results, and this study aimed to find out a little more by investigating 1,577 men.

In the end, the study authors concluded that recency, not frequency, was the most important factor in determining testosterone levels. Those men who had most recently used cannabis had the highest serum testosterone levels, while those who had never used or had not recently used cannabis showed normal levels.

Though it's unclear what effects this might have on hair health, it is thought that higher testosterone levels can:

  • Encourage bodily hair growth
  • Encourage the production of oil on the scalp
  • Increase the chances/severity of male pattern baldness

However, it remains unclear whether THC exerts any effect on those features of hair health.

Hormones

By affecting various hormone levels, it may be that THC can impact hair growth. However, this may have more to do with lifestyle choices and their effects more than the direct effects of the compound.

Cannabis consumption has been shown to affect estradiol production[2]. Estradiol is an oestrogen hormone produced in the ovaries. Both cannabis’ effects and a sedentary lifestyle lower estradiol production, which in turn affects aromatase function (the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen).

In both men and women, this inhibited aromatase function can lead to increased testosterone and reduced oestrogen. For men, this may have similar effects as listed above. For women, it is unclear, but reduced oestrogen levels may inhibit hair growth.

Discovering exactly how all of this affects hair growth and health will require more research, but it is known that the affected hormones are key players regarding hair growth[3].

THC and Cortisol

While cannabis has a reputation for making people feel relaxed, on a physiological level it actually appears to [4] (the stress hormone).

It is known that heightened stress can degrade hair health, increase the chances of pattern baldness occurring, and increase the likelihood of other types of alopecia (hair loss). That being said, it is unknown whether the increased cortisol levels caused by cannabis might affect hair growth.

Another study showed that frequent cannabis use may blunt the acute effects of cortisol, and that users may have a dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis[5]. This could have far more detrimental effects than unhealthy hair growth (or lack thereof), and should be considered by all frequent cannabis users.

CBD and Hair

CBD, the second most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis, is thought to exhibit mostly beneficial effects on hair growth. That being said, whether this is truly the case, and to what degree, remains unclear.

Cannabinoid Receptors on the Scalp

The scalp appears to be covered in CB1 and CB2 receptors, meaning it is receptive to cannabinoids.

One study attempted to uncover what effects the topical application of CBD might have on hair growth. Interestingly, it found that CBD alone did appear to encourage hair growth[6]. A small study, involving 28 male patients and 7 female, found that a single application of 3 to 4mg of topical CBD per day increased non-vellus hair growth.

It’s worth noting that the same study suggests that other cannabinoids, and general cannabis consumption, may be bad for hair growth.

A 2023 study indicated why CBD might encourage hair growth. It found that topically applied CBD partially blocks CB1 receptors on the scalp, which led to hair shaft elongation. Moreover, CBD also binds to the vanilloid TRPV1 receptors, which control hair follicle function.

Interestingly, this study notes that effects are dose dependent and that more is not always better. Higher doses of CBD, it claims, can activate TRPV4 receptors, which causes hair follicles to move prematurely into the catagen stage—where the hair detaches at the base and falls out.

So, while moderate doses may encourage hair growth, higher doses might accelerate hair loss.

CBD and Stress

CBD has been studied for its effects on stress and anxiety[7], and it has been shown to reduce concentrations of hormones such as cortisol.

As mentioned, stress is known to negatively impact hair growth and health. Therefore, the use of CBD (through edibles or inhalation) might be able to help mitigate these negative effects. That being said, CBD is no cure for a stressful lifestyle, and while it might be able to help you manage stressful periods, it will not solve a problem by itself.

Furthermore, the ingestion method is very important. Smoke contains many toxic and highly dangerous compounds, and some of these are thought to negatively affect hair health. So you may smoke CBD in an attempt to improve hair health, only to make things worse. Choose your consumption method wisely.

Cannabis Hair Products

So, the answer to the question "is weed good for hair?" remains elusive. The link between CBD and hair appears stronger and more positive than that of THC and hair. Though it's questionable whether cannabis hair products really work, below is a list of common CBD hair products.

  • Cannabis hair oil: This can be applied to your hair and scalp. In most cases, it contains CBD and a mixture of terpenes. These cannabis products are mixed with a natural oil, such as hemp seed, argan, or olive oil. Moreover, they tend to be supplemented with additives such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.
  • CBD shampoo and conditioner: These products are supposed to be used on a regular basis in place of normal shampoos and conditioners. The best options are made from natural ingredients and have CBD added to them.
  • Hair supplements: These tend to come in the form of gummies or capsules and contain a range of vitamins, minerals, and cannabinoids that are supposed to benefit hair growth.

CBD product for hair

Other Factors That Affect Hair Health

Hair, like skin, generally indicates overall health and well-being. While some people can sometimes develop conditions that result from a single cause (such as genetic baldness), in most cases hair health reflects a multitude of factors.

Therefore, if you want to improve your hair health, you should seek to live a generally healthy lifestyle. One of the best things you can do for your hair is limit stress. To do this, you should exercise, eat healthily, and sleep well. While cannabis might be a part of this multi-pronged approach to a healthy lifestyle, it shouldn’t be all you do to mitigate stress.

Cannabis and Hair: The Truth Is Tangled

It is very uncertain what effects cannabis might have on hair health. In the case of THC, it’s really hard to tell, and you shouldn’t draw any definite conclusions. When it comes to CBD, the truth is still murky, but it seems that topical CBD creams might be able to encourage hair growth.

That being said, hair growth in a clinical setting is different to hair growth in real life, and it’s unlikely that CBD alone will combat conditions such as alopecia and baldness. But it might help to keep your hair a little healthier generally.

If you want to look after your hair, the best bet is to look after your overall health. And even though hair is precious to some of us, don’t worry too much—bodies change!

External Resources:
  1. Marijuana use and serum testosterone concentrations among U.S. males - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Frontiers | Marijuana Is Associated With a Hormonal Imbalance Among Several Habits Related to Male Infertility: A Retrospective Study https://www.frontiersin.org
  3. Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. The effects of cannabinoids on serum cortisol and prolactin in humans - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Marijuana Use and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Functioning in Humans - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. A cannabinoid Hairy-Tale: Hair loss or hair gain? - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. Enhancing Endocannabinoid Control of Stress with Cannabidiol - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: