Hair Regrowth with Novel Hemp Extract: A Case Series

INTRODUCTION: The endocannabinoid system (ECS), discovered in the 1990s, is a system involved with maintaining cellular homeostasis by down-regulating the damaging inflammatory responses and upregulating regenerative processes. Cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and cannabidivarin (CBDV) are all phytocannabinoids found in varying quantities in hemp extract. These three cannabinoids have novel therapeutic effects on hair regrowth through the ECS. The method of action is different from and synergistic with current hair regrowth therapies. The three cannabinoids are fat-soluble and poorly absorbed past the epidermis, but topical application easily reaches hair follicles where they act as partial or full CB1 antagonist and agonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) and vanilloid receptor-4 (TRPV4). All these ECS receptors relate to hair follicle function. Blocking the CB1 receptor on the hair follicle has been shown to result in hair shaft elongation; in addition, the hair follicle cycle (anagen, catagen, and telogen phases) is controlled by TRPV1. The effects of CBD on hair growth are dose dependent and higher doses may result in premature entry into the catagen phase through a different receptor known as TRPV4. CBD has also been shown to increase Wnt signaling, which causes dermal progenitor cells to differentiate into new hair follicles and maintains anagen phase of the hair cycle. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted on subjects with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), as follow-up to a prior published study using hemp extract high in CBD without CBDV or THCV. That study showed an average 93.5% increase in hair numbers after 6 months of use. This subsequent study is being done to determine if daily topical application of a hemp-oil high in CBD, THCV, and CBDV concentrations would result in improved hair regrowth in the area of the scalp most affected by AGA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case series study was done of 31 (15 men and 16 women, 27 Caucasian, 2 Asian, and 1 mixed race) subjects with AGA. They used a once-daily topical hemp extract formulation, averaging about 33 mg/day for 6 months. A hair count of the greatest area of alopecia was carried out before treatment was started and again after 6 months of treatment. To facilitate consistent hair count analysis, a permanent tattoo was placed at the point for maximum hair loss on the scalp. The subjects were also asked to qualitatively rate their psychosocial perception of “scalp coverage” improvement after the study was completed. The qualitative scale included “very unhappy,” “unhappy,” “neutral,” “happy,” and “very happy.” The subjects were photographed in a standard manner before and after the study. The photographs were compared for improvements in “scalp coverage” by an independent physician. The qualitative scale included “none,” “mild,” “moderate,” and “extensive” improvement of scalp coverage. RESULTS: The results revealed that all subjects had some regrowth. This ranged from 31.25% (from 16 to 21 hairs) to 2000% (from 1 to 21 hairs). The average increase was statistically significant 246% (15.07 hairs/cm(2) increase) in men and 127% (16.06 hairs/cm(2)) in women. There were no reported adverse effects. All subjects rated their psychosocial perception of the effects of the hair loss, as “happy” or “very happy.” Independent review of the photographs revealed evidence of “mild” to “extensive” scalp coverage improvements for all of the subjects. CONCLUSION: Although the exact mechanism of therapeutic effects is not known, THCV and CBDV are most likely functioning as full CB1 receptor neutral antagonists and CBD is most likely functioning as a partial CB1 receptor antagonist and potentially through Wnt messaging. All three cannabinoids were functioning as TRPV1 agonists. The addition of menthol through the peppermint extract is probably acting through promoting a rapid onset of anagen phase. This topical hemp formulation was superior to oral finasteride, 5% minoxidil once daily foam and CBD topical extract alone. Since this hemp extract works through novel mechanisms entirely different from both finasteride and minoxidil, it can be used in conjunction with these current drugs and would be expected to have synergistic effects. However, safety and efficacy of this combination would be to be evaluated.