Case Report: Alopecia Areata and Cannabis Use

March 2022 in “ Research Square (Research Square) ”

Abeer AL-Lihabi

alopecia areata alopecia universalis cannabis cannabinoid receptors autoimmune condition hair regrowth marijuana

TLDR A girl with severe hair loss saw hair regrowth after using cannabis.

This document presents a case report of a 15-year-old girl with Alopecia Universalis, a severe form of alopecia areata, who experienced hair regrowth coinciding with her self-medication using cannabis. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that leads to unpredictable hair loss and has a lifetime prevalence of about 2% in the general population. It is often associated with other disorders such as depression, thyroid diseases, and anxiety. The case report suggests that cannabis, which interacts with cannabinoid receptors found on various immune cells, may have played a role in the patient's hair regrowth. The author aims to highlight the potential of cannabis as a treatment for alopecia areata while also considering the need to mitigate its side effects.

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