The Phytocannabinoid (–)-Cannabidiol Operates as a Complex, Differential Modulator of Human Hair Growth: Anti-Inflammatory Submicromolar Versus Hair Growth Inhibitory Micromolar Effects

July 2019 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Imre Szabó, Erika Lorenzetto, Gabriella Béke, Kinga Fanni Tóth, Ralf Paus, Attila Oláh, Tamás Bı́ró

Cannabidiol CBD hair growth outer root sheath keratinocytes ORSKs anti-inflammatory catagen calcium influx apoptosis inflammatory hair loss disorders hair follicles hair loss

TLDR CBD can either reduce inflammation and not affect hair growth at low levels or inhibit hair growth at high levels.

The document from February 1, 2020, detailed a study on the effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on human hair growth, demonstrating that CBD acts as a complex modulator of hair growth based on its concentration. At submicromolar levels (less than 1 µM), CBD had minimal impact on hair cycles, did not affect the viability and proliferation of outer root sheath keratinocytes (ORSKs), and had an anti-inflammatory effect. In contrast, at micromolar levels (10 µM or higher), CBD reduced hair growth, induced a regression phase in hair follicles (catagen), caused calcium influx in ORSKs, and led to their apoptosis. The study suggests that low concentrations of CBD could potentially be used to treat inflammatory hair loss disorders, while high concentrations might inhibit hair growth.

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