Unlocking The Secrets: Benefits of CBD Oil For Hair Health

Even though the medical establishment hasn’t accepted all of the apparent benefits of using CBD products for health and wellness, many consumers have.

They choose CBD oil (and other CBD products like capsules, gummies, and other supplements) not just for overall health, but because they believe they’ll help with conditions as varied as chronic pain and anxiety to sleep problems and even cancer.

Add healthy hair to that list. And there’s even preliminary evidence that CBD might also prevent hair loss or support hair regrowth.

Researchers say CBD oil’s beneficial effects on the hair and scalp are partly due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but there are other reasons CBD may contribute to overall hair health.

Let’s dig in.

Why and How CBD Affects the Body

We’ll start by explaining where CBD (cannabidiol) comes from.

CBD is a cannabinoid (a naturally-occurring plant compound) found in plants belonging to the cannabis sativa species, which means there’s CBD in both cannabis plants and hemp plants. The other cannabinoid we’ve all heard of, psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), is also found in both plants.

However, cannabis contains lots of THC; hemp contains very little. That’s why marijuana and other cannabis products are sourced from the cannabis plant, while CBD is usually a hemp extract. It’s also why, in a general sense, weed gets you high but CBD doesn’t. There’s a more detailed explanation that’s important for our purposes, though.

Both cannabinoids produce their effects because they’re able to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a system of receptors and chemical messengers that regulate many of the body’s major functions.

However, there are two major types of ECS receptors and they’re responsible for controlling different bodily activities.

• THC binds to CB1 receptors, many of which are in the brain and can cause the euphoria, memory issues, disorientation, and sedation commonly associated with marijuana.
• CBD mostly interacts with CB2 receptors located throughout the body; they’re primarily involved in controlling the body’s immune and inflammatory functions.

And when CBD oil is applied to the hair or scalp, it’s applied as a topical product. It only reacts with the “external” CB2 receptors, not receptors in the brain or anywhere else.

That’s all very interesting, but what do those effects of CBD have to do with scalp health, hair care, and healthy hair growth? Read on.

CBD and Inflammation

The most important takeaway from the last section involves CBD’s ability to affect inflammation and immunity. Many hair and scalp problems begin with inflammation, which is a sign of scalp conditions like psoriasis, folliculitis (infection in the hair follicles), seborrheic dermatitis, and eczema, leading to scaling and dandruff, itchiness, rashes, and hair damage or hair loss.

Some of those issues can be caused by using the wrong hair products, shampooing your hair too often, poor diet, bacteria or fungi, or allergies. They may also be hereditary. Whatever the cause, inflammation is dealt with by the body’s immune system, which does all it can to remove the triggering culprits and begin the process of healing.

Enter CBD. Cannabidiol’s anti-inflammatory properties work to boost the body’s response to scalp inflammation; one study discovered that using a shampoo containing CBD took just two weeks to reduce inflammation, burning, and itching in patients with psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Similar results have been reported in patients suffering from folliculitis.

That’s not all. The cannabinoid’s apparent ability to boost immune function helps the body fight many of the root causes of inflammation. And increased immunity does one more important thing: it maximizes the body’s ability to produce the antioxidants that fight and repair cellular damage — including damage that naturally occurs in the hair and on the scalp.

CBD is also believed to have antibacterial and antifungal properties, allowing it to battle any bacteria or fungi that are causing inflammation. There’s also evidence that cannabidiol may boost blood circulation; there are a large number of blood vessels in the scalp, so improved circulation can help prevent or reduce inflammation.

It might seem to you that this discussion doesn’t apply to people who simply want to keep their hair healthy, but think again.

Many hair problems including shedding, breaking, brittle or dry hair, or split ends are triggered by inflammation. Preventing or keeping inflammation at bay is one important reason why CBD oil is an excellent addition to a hair care routine.

Other Benefits of CBD Oil for the Hair and Scalp

CBD provides many other apparent benefits, and some can help with hair health.

• CBD is rich in important fatty acids like omega-3s and omega-6s, which work to promote healthy functioning of the skin, scalp, and hair.
• Chronic stress causes the body to release the stress hormone cortisol. Increased cortisol levels can cause several side effects, including acne, but they can also cause temporary hair loss. Cannabidiol is believed to be an effective weapon against stress, potentially helping users of CBD oil maintain a healthy, full head of hair.
• One study has found that CBD oil may regulate the body’s production of sebum, the oil that provides protection and hydration for the skin and scalp. Excess sebum may cause acne, but its accumulation can also clog follicles or cause oily hair. Optimal regulation of sebum production can contribute to hair health.
• CBD oil is also thought to have moisturizing properties, which could prevent a dry scalp and dry hair. Most CBD hair products include ingredients intended to boost moisturizing, including vitamin E, aloe vera, castor oil, or coconut oil. In fact, CBD oil always contains a “carrier oil” to maximize the cannabidiol’s effectiveness, and coconut oil is often the carrier oil of choice.

While most of these reported benefits of cannabidiol are still based on the preliminary results from research studies, it’s easy to understand why so many people use high-quality CBD oil (sometimes called hemp oil or hemp seed oil) as a hair treatment.

The most common way to use cannabidiol for hair health is to choose a shampoo, conditioner, or hair oil infused with CBD oil. There are numerous CBD hair products designed for every hair type.

Some people instead prefer to create and apply a “hair mask” that’s a combination of CBD oil and other ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, or other essential oils. Others consume CBD oil internally and let it do its hair care work over time.

Don’t go yet. There’s still one more subject to discuss.

Can CBD Oil Stop Hair Loss or Promote Hair Growth?

That’s still up for debate, but it’s quite possible. Pattern baldness (known as androgenetic alopecia, or AGA) is a major cause of hair loss, and one study tested a hemp oil rich in CBD on men and women suffering from AGA. After some initial and minor hair shedding, the patients’ hair count increased by nearly 100% after using the oil for six months.

Another laboratory study shed some light on the matter by considering hair loss caused by a different issue. Testosterone treatments often cause some hair loss, but the study found that cannabidiol apparently slowed that process by restoring hair follicle structure that’s damaged by the testosterone treatment.

Why would CBD help? There are a few reasons.

• The ECS is thought to be a major player in encouraging the growth of hair follicle cells, so CBD’s interaction with ECS receptors may stimulate that growth.
• Many CBD oils contain vitamin E and fatty acids, which have been shown to slow hair loss and speed its growth.
• Cannabidiol’s apparent ability to reduce stress, as mentioned earlier, may slow any accompanying hair loss.
• Other reported CBD benefits that we’ve described, including promoting a healthy scalp and stronger blood circulation, create an environment that’s conducive to hair growth.

There’s one caution, though. Some studies suggest that CBD dosage could have a negative effect on hair growth, with too much cannabidiol causing hair to stop growing. The initial signs of a link between CBD use and hair growth are positive, but much more research needs to be done.

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