Alopecia areata occurs when the body targets and harms its hair follicles. This can lead to hair loss anywhere on the body. However, the head and face are the two areas most likely to be affected by this condition.
Alopecia areata is never contagious and isn’t typically symptomatic of a more significant problem. Instead, alopecia areata is a condition itself. Most people experience this condition during childhood, but it’s possible for adults to also experience hair loss due to alopecia areata.
Individuals with this condition can have a range of hair loss, typically occurring in circular patches. Some people will have limited hair loss, while others may lose larger quantities. It’s estimated that 6.8 million Americans have this condition.
What Causes Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition. However, a few factors can contribute to the onset of this diagnosis, such as a virus or substance. Chemotherapy treatment in cancer patients can also induce alopecia.1
There is typically a significant genetic component that leads to the development of this condition. This condition is polygenic, meaning both parents must pass on specific genes for the child to have alopecia areata.
If you use cannabis and have this condition, you may wonder: can weed cause hair loss? Research has not been able to provide a solid answer to this question.
Research demonstrates that cannabinoids like CBD may help promote hair growth,2 and it’s more likely that other factors play a more significant role in hair loss than cannabis. There’s still more to learn about cannabis and hair loss, but it’s unlikely that consuming this substance will significantly impact hair loss.
While no clear answer exists about cannabis and hair growth, cannabis will not cause alopecia areata. If you’re struggling with this condition, genetics will likely play a much more significant role than the consumption of cannabis.
Alopecia Areata Signs & Symptoms
Alopecia areata can be challenging to cope with. If you’re experiencing large amounts of hair loss, you may wonder if you have this condition. If you are experiencing alopecia areata, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Oval or round hair loss patches,
- Itching,
- Burning,
- Hair that grows back and then falls out.
There are a variety of reasons why someone can experience hair loss. Losing a significant amount of hair does not necessarily mean you have alopecia areata, but it can still be concerning. If you’re struggling with hair loss, consider contacting a medical professional and sharing your symptoms.
Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Symptoms of Alopecia Areata?
There hasn’t yet been enough research to understand the correlation between cannabis and alopecia areata.
It’s possible that CBD could play an essential role in targeting hair follicles and encouraging hair growth. CBD can act as an important messenger that signals to various cells and may lead to the development of more productive hair follicles in certain doses.2
Another critical factor to discuss is the interaction between the immune system and cannabis. As was mentioned previously, alopecia areata results when the immune system views hair follicles as a threat. It’s possible that cannabis could help mediate this threat, as the compounds present in cannabis can interact with various immune system cells.3
One study examined the benefits of using cannabis for alopecia areata. While the results didn’t show significant hair growth for all participants, the researchers did note that cannabis improved the social components of this condition. Cannabis improved participant stress and depression, two things that can result from societal views of hair loss.4
Further research on the impact cannabis has on the immune system could provide important discoveries for those with alopecia areata and other autoimmune conditions.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers alopecia areata to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes alopecia areata or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 28 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Resources
1. Rossi A, Fortuna MC, Caro G, et al. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia management: Clinical experience and practical advice. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017;16(4):537-541. doi:10.1111/jocd.12308
2. Smith GL, Satino J. Hair Regrowth with Cannabidiol (CBD)-rich Hemp Extract - A Case Series. Cannabis. 2021;4(1):53-59. Published 2021 Apr 22. doi:10.26828/cannabis/2021.01.003
3. Maggirwar SB, Khalsa JH. The Link between Cannabis Use, Immune System, and Viral Infections. Viruses. 2021; 13(6):1099. https://doi.org/10.3390/v13061099
4. Han JJ, Faletsky A, Mostaghimi A, Huang KP. Cannabis Use among Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Int J Trichology. 2022;14(1):21-24. doi:10.4103/ijt.ijt_96_21
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
