Within your body are numerous hormones. Each of those hormones has a very specific job to do. Many of them work to control the function of your organs, such as telling your heart to beat (and at what pace) and telling your digestive system to work. Hormone regulation is governed by your thyroid. This small organ located just above the collarbone at the base of your neck is quite powerful. In fact, when there's a problem with it, you can assume you'll feel and see it. So, how does this organ become impacted when you use cannabis? In short, it can work to trigger hair loss in some people. Let's explain how this happens and why.
Consider THC, to Start With
THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is the component in cannabis that causes you to feel "high." It is what helps to reduce the feeling of stress in your body. It has a mind-altering ability and that is responsible for most of the psychological affects you experience. The interesting link here is that THC found in cannabis is much like the THC that is created by your thyroid naturally. THC is the hormone that races through your body providing instruction to other glands to release hormones. Those hormones then circulate your body and instruct every cell how to work.
As THC from cannabis goes to work in the body, it tells the brain to release dopamine. This is the feel-good hormone that also is released naturally when you laugh. But, when it is released through the cannabis form, it alters the way in which the brain works. In fact, it can also make it hard for your brain to create memories, which is why many people don't remember what they were doing when they were high.
Now, hair loss is one of the key side effects of having too much THC in the body, but this high level can also create other risks. For example, it can create an instance of tachycardia – which is an irregular and sometimes deadly heartbeat. It can also cause sedation and pain relief to the point of putting you at risk of further injuring yourself. It can increase anxiety in some people as well. Some individuals who ingest high amounts of cannabis end up in a state of paranoia. This all happens because of the way cannabis interacts with your brain and the overall production of hormones in your body.
Creating Stress That Triggers Hair Loss
As noted, cannabis can create the release of stress hormones – these are hormones that create anxiety and paranoia in some people. When this occurs, it is quite common for your body to have a surge of stress hormone racing through it. Over the long term, this hormone itself will trigger the body's natural reaction to slow non-vital systems within the body.
Here's how it works. You ingest cannabis on a routine basis. In your body, this triggers the production of THC, which leads to the production of the stress hormone. That high level of stress hormone tells your brain and your organs to "fight or take flight." It empowers your digestion system to work faster so that your cells can move your legs faster. It helps your heart to beat faster to meet your increasing demands. To provide all of these immediate needs, the brain slows the nonvital systems, such as hair follicles producing new hair. As a result of long term use, your hair stops growing. The growth cycle that keeps your hair full and beautiful, slows down. The result is hair loss. All of this stems from your body's natural reaction to stress hormones.
Foods
Another important area is DHT. DHT is another type of component from cannabis. It is what triggers the munchies. When your body is bringing in high levels of these foods, it can change the pattern of hair loss you have. Again, the cannabis makes you crave carb-filled foods. As a result, this high dose of carbohydrates changes the hormone levels in your body. This time, the focus is on the creation of DHT, the hormone that can lead to hair loss.
In all situations, hormone regulation is behind the link between hair loss and cannabis use. In some situations, it is quite rare. In others, it is more prominent. When your hormones are balanced, then, these risks can fade, allowing your hair's follicles to grow at a normal rate.
Contact the hair specialists at Unique Hair Concepts to learn more.
