Fights The Side Effects Of Prescription Medications
Some prescription medications have side effects that may include hair loss. Medicines that treat acne, depression, or anxiety can result in hair loss.
Also, the medical conditions aggravate the condition due to imbalances in the body’s functionalities.
For instance, an individual suffering from stress ends up with depression which can cause hair loss and premature baldness.
People with cancer suffer massive hair loss due to chemotherapy as a side effect. The treatment process may also prevent further hair growth.
Also, the shock that comes with discovering that an individual has cancer or after an accident can cause temporary hair loss.
Cannabis-based CBD help individuals combat stressful situations by inducing a calming and relaxing effect. Cannabinoids in cannabis can cause social behavior, which helps individuals interact, reducing their stress levels.
Furthermore, it aids people to sleep and find relief from the plaguing memories resulting from an accident or emotional shock that comes with a traumatic event. All these are beneficial as they provide the right environment for your hair to grow.
Cannabis boosts your immunity via nutrients it provides, induces appetite and fights inflammation for individuals who have cancer.
As a result, your hair may grow in three to six months after the treatment.
Tobacco Smoking And Hair Loss
Smoking weed is not the only type of smoke capable of causing hair loss. Did you know that cigarette smoke and tobacco smoke also causes you to lose hair?
The US National Library of Medicine conducted a study, which proved that tobacco smoke not only increase your likelihood of death but also harms your skin negatively?
Other studies have find a correlation between smoking and baldness. Lets take a look at the how!
Smoking leads to hair loss due to several factors. Smoke contains genotoxicants, which can damage the DNA of the hairfollicle .
Many professionals also believe that smoke can alter the microvasculature of the dermal hair papilla. In other words, when your hair enters the growth phase, smoke can cause an imbalance in the follicular protease/antiprotease systems, which are in charge of remodeling the tissue.
Additionally, Smoking comes many pro-oxidant effects, which release pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby causing micro-inflammation of the follicles and fibrosis. As a result, you face baldness or hair loss.
When your immune system is compromised by smoke, you see an increase of oestradiol hydroxylation and a slow down of enzyme aromatases therefore, leading to a state of hypo-estrogen.
Can Marijuana Truly Contribute To Hair Loss
This drug also has the potential to be contaminated with toxins like ammonia. Depletion of ATP by ammonia may contribute to hair loss, according to some animal research.
Additionally, THC is believed to directly antagonize hair growth through the activation of the CB1 receptor. Contrastingly, THCs non-psychoactive counterpart, CBD, is a CB1 antagonist. This cannabinoid may even confer protective effects to hair.
Despite these consequences, marijuana is a drug that can have dangerous long-term downsides. Examination of the literature tells us that adolescents may be at a higher risk.
Whether you are experiencing hair shedding or not, rethinking marijuana use is a good idea.
Have you experienced marijuana-related hair shedding? When did you begin to notice it? What was your experience? Leave a comment with your story below.
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Premature Shedding Thinning Hair Loss & Balding
Does smoking cause hair loss?
I dont want to scare you but smoking could speed up the rate you lose hair, while it slows down the rate at which hair regrows. Premature shedding, thinning and even balding in some cases are some of the effects that heavy smokers could experience.
Through blood the oxygen and nutrients are delivered to your bodys tissues, organs and all the way up to the scalp where the hair follicles are nourished. But smoking is destroying your blood circulation!
The carbon monoxide, among other chemicals, in cigarettes is damaging your cells while reducing the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream. Therefore, your hair follicles not only wont receive the proper nutrients, but also will suffer damage from the chemicals and toxins that are carried by the circulatory system.
Unfortunately, when you smoke your body absorbs toxins and loses nutrients.
Smokers lose vitamins C and E which are essential antioxidants that protect your body cells. Smokers can also be deficient in A, B, D vitamins, calcium and iron among others. These vitamins and minerals are very important for your hairs healthy growth.
Furthermore, according to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, smoking can increase the androgenic hormones like the DHT, which is the hormone most closely linked to hair loss. Especially men with family history of baldness, should be extremely careful of smoking!
How To Prevent Hair Loss From Smoking
The only way you can prevent hair loss from smoking is to quit the habit of smoking. Completely eliminating the nicotine, and toxic chemicals present in the cigarettes can boost up your immune system and strengthen your hair follicles. It is difficult for a smoker to completely give up this habit, which is why, they should take gradual steps in order to get rid of smoking.
If in case you have a craving for cigarette, try to replace it with nicotine patches, nicotine gums, inhalers or nasal spray. These are easily available over-the-counter. There can be withdrawal symptoms in the initial stages which is why you need to develop a plan and gradually quit smoking.
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Traditional Hair Loss Remedies
Treatment for male or female pattern baldness is considered cosmetic as the hair loss doesnt pose an immediate threat to ones health. Commonly used medications include minoxidil and finasteride.
More serious conditions such as alopecia areata may require steroid injections, although there are creams, gels, and ointments available too.
There is also a treatment known as immunotherapy on the table. It stimulates hair growth by causing an allergic reaction on affected areas of the skin on purpose. Finally, there is the option to try over-the-counter hair regrowth formula, hair implant surgery, or wear a wig.
Experiencing Hair Loss Marijuana May Help
Its becoming increasingly common to see breakthrough research or anecdotal stories in the media about cannabis helping with cancer symptoms, epilepsy, PTSD and more. But some potential cannabis benefits fly below the radar, including the idea that cannabis may help fight hair loss.
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Hair loss is incredibly common and can become a reality due to a whole laundry list of causes. Some of these causes, like male-pattern baldness, are completely natural and simply due to age or genetics. Others can result from health issues or as a byproduct of medical treatments. Health conditions that cause or are associated with hair loss include, but arent limited to:
- Menopause
- Chemotherapy
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Can Smoking Weed Cause Hair Loss
Did you know that two thirds of Americans face hair loss by the time they are 35 years old? It is obvious that genetics play a great role in your hairs health .
According to American Hair Loss:
Isnt that interesting?
Although many hair loss cases have been traced to androgenetic alopecia , the overwhelming majority of hair loss cases remain a mystery.
However, one of the main culprits professionals suspect is smoking, whether from tobacco smoke or marijuana users. The main question is: what type of smoking is capable of causing hair loss?
Studies have shown cigarette smoking can cause excessive hair loss just like marijuanasmoking however, do we know that these studies are conclusive? Can we depend on them alone to stay that hair loss is a product of tobacco and weed smoking, or rather, smoking in general?
Lets take an in-depth look at each of these theories, analyze the research and determine if smoking pot, tobacco, or other substances are linked to hair loss.
Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms That Cause Hair Loss
Quitting smoking can be very unpleasant and can include severe withdrawal symptoms that also cause hair loss such as:
- Extreme irritability.
- Stress, which can cause hair loss.
- Anxiety, which can cause hair loss.
- Detoxification of the lungs and bloodstream leading to blocked hair follicles.
The steps outlined below also treat hair loss associated with withdrawal from smoking.
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Other Ways Smoking May Contribute To Hair Loss
Smoking may lead to other changes in your body that contribute to hair loss. Some factors that have been proposed include:
- promoting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, signaling proteins that promote inflammation
- scarring of your hair follicles due to increased levels of cytokines
- changing enzyme levels that control tissue remodeling in your hair growth cycle
- increasing hydroxylation of the hormone estradiol and inhibition of the enzyme aromatase that leads to a state of low estrogen levels
Along with contributing to hair loss, smoking may negatively impact your hair health in a number of other ways.
- Early onset of gray hair. A
Does Smoking Weed Causes Hair Loss
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The Evidence Linking Marijuana And Hair Loss
There is some evidence that chronic smokers are at an increased risk of developing pattern baldness. A population survey out of Taiwan found regular smoking was a predictor of pattern baldness among men . The study controlled for potentially confounding variables like age and family history. Yet there was still a statistically significant relationship between smoking and hair loss. Smokers were at increased risk of having moderate or severe pattern hair loss.
Another study out of Jordan found regular smokers were more likely to develop prematurely gray hair before turning 30 . An earlier study of out of England had found a similar result for both men and women .
Collectively, these studies point to what has been called smokers hair . This includes hair loss, greying and possibly other changes to hair texture.
Researchers performed these studies with regular tobacco users. Yet the results almost certainly carry over to cannabis users for two reasons. Firstly, the harmful effects of combustion are similar. We will discuss those next. Secondly, the large majority of cannabis smokers mix it in with tobacco .
Cannabis And Hair Loss
Lets answer the main question: does smokingmarijuana cause hair loss?
According to researchers at the University of Amsterdam, they have proven that constant smoking of cannabis directly contributes to hair loss.
Weed is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world. In the UK alone, over 2 million people are regular marijuana smokers however, there are many negative side effects.
One study discovered that:
Lets truly think about what that statement means. When we look at pervious studies, the connection between hair loss and marijuana seems a lot more obvious than originally thought.
Contact use of cannabis harms the body in two different ways: through the effect of marijuana itself and through negative lifestyle changes .
With many states recently legalizing cannabis, it is safe to say that weed is here to stay. While most people do not see marijuana as a bad thing, there are still some serious health concerns and long-term harmful effects to your body.
On the contrary, cannabis comes with a variety of health benefits, too. From slowing cancer to treating glaucoma, marijuana consumption has been proven to lessen a variety of illnesses.
Many argue that these therapeutic, healing properties are actually beneficial to your hairs health which leads us to the main question, does cannabis truly cause hair loss?
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Why Does Smoking Cause Hair Loss
Though smoking causes hair loss, it might not be the primary reason for your hair loss problems. Nevertheless, there is a connection between smoking and hair loss. Below are some of the reasons why smoking causes hair loss and why smoking is bad for hair
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Determine The Real Cause
It is important to note that smoking pot does cause hair loss in some individuals. However, with hair loss, there are typically multiple contributing factors.
From medication to genetic predisposition to blood flow, hair loss causes are tricky to pinpoint. Take note if you have some weed previously with no ill effect. If so, your balding problem might have a larger medical issue behind it. Once you identify the main cause of your hair loss, you will have a better idea for treatment.
One of the easiest ways to find the main culprit is by the elimination diet, which means to dismiss food triggers.
Ideally, you get rid of the usual suspects for about 23 days. This means no alcohol, no soy, no gluten, no dairy, egg and no fast food for 23 days.
After this, you introduce one food at a time over a period of 96 hours.
For instance, reintroduce gluten into your diet on the 24th day. Eat gluten, and pay attention to the way your body reacts within the next 96 hours. Continue eating the food and take notes. If you dont have any reactions then you may reintroduce gluten into your diet fully.
If some foods leave you feeling lazy, tired or groggy, you may be suffering from an autoimmune response. These foods could be triggering your hair loss.
Your hair loss could e en be due to hormonal imbalance or underlying medical condition. If you are feeling lost, try consulting with your physician to identify the cause of your hair loss.
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Research On Marijuana And Hair Loss
Hair loss is often associated with the activation of androgen receptors. Androgens are male reproductive hormones and include testosterone and dihydrotestosterone . Women also have androgens, albeit in lower concentrations than men.
DHT is the primary androgen involved in male pattern baldness and may cause similar symptoms in women with increased androgen levels .
Hair loss treatments like finasteride work by reducing DHT synthesis. But what about cannabis?
A 1980 study by Purohit et al. found that cannabinoids, including THC and CBN, inhibit DHT binding at androgen receptors. These results indicate that cannabis could potentially prevent hair loss in a somewhat similar way to finasteride.
However, according to a study from 2007, the opposite could be true. Researchers Telek et al. found that the endocannabinoid anandamide and THC could inhibit hair growth. They suggest that stimulating CB1 cannabinoid receptors could prevent unwanted hair growth rather than loss.
It is a complex subject, and far more research is necessary to understand how cannabis affects hair loss.
However, what we do know is that cannabinoids have the potential to reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to some types of alopecia. That said, THC can increase anxiety in high doses. Therefore, individuals seeking an appropriate cannabis strain for hair loss should opt for varieties with a low THC content and plenty of anxiety-reducing CBD.