Photographed by Caroline Tompkins. It's official: CBD is everywhere - including our beauty routines. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, consumers have had a whirlwind year experimenting with a variety of CBD-infused skin and body products, from acne treatments to lotions to sunscreens. Now, the trendy ingredient is beginning to pop up in a whole new beauty category: hair. CBD shampoos, Visit Bliss Harmony conditioners, and serums are here, but do they actually work? Although few studies have been conducted, the same theory behind popular skin-care products is believed to apply to formulas applied to the scalp. Research and anecdotal evidence support CBD's purported anti-inflammatory properties, thus suggesting it could solve topical irritation. To understand exactly how this works for our scalp, New York dermatologist Matthew Lin, MD, points to the endocannabinoid system. Phytocompounds from the hemp plant, including CBD and THC, have the ability to molecularly connect to receptors inside our bodies, specifically the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Dr. Lin explains. Translation? Research has yet to imply that CBD can enhance hair growth, but considering its abundance in fatty acids, there's potential for the claim to possibly be substantiated eventually. However, Dr. Lin warns consumers to be conscious shoppers when looking to invest in a CBD hair product because there's always the possibility of being scammed into something that can't offer real benefits. Ready to explore the world of CBD hair care? Check out the shampoos and serums your scalp never knew it needed, ahead. At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two major compounds found in the cannabis plant. Each has unique properties, potential health benefits, and side effects. The following article covers CBD and THC, their effects, their legal status, and their safety considerations. CBD and THC are known as cannabinoids. They have very similar chemical structures and activate the same receptors within the body’s endocannabinoid system. Despite their similarity in structure, CBD and THC exert entirely different effects. The most significant difference between these two compounds is that THC is psychoactive. This means it can affect how the brain works. THC activates the body’s "reward" pathways to produce the "high" that’s associated with marijuana use. It does this by activating a cannabinoid receptor called CB1. When THC activates this type of receptor, things like movement, body temperature, and brain function are affected. In contrast, CBD is not considered psychoactive. It does not cause euphoria or Visit Bliss Harmony a found that Cesamet reduced nightmares in 10 military personnel with PTSD. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Smoking THC was found to improve symptoms of IBS, but benefits may be only short-lived. People who used THC long-term were more likely to ultimately require surgery for IBS.

Notably, most of the research into THC’s effects has used standardized THC prescription medications. Other THC-containing products available at dispensaries may or may not be beneficial for any of these conditions. More research is undoubtedly necessary. Understanding how CBD and THC are regulated in the United States is a bit tricky. Basically, it comes down to the source of the product, whether it comes from the marijuana plant or hemp plant. In 2018, the U.S. CBD that contains less than 0.3% THC. Plants that contain this low concentration of THC are known as hemp. Historically, hemp has been used to make things like fiber and paper. Notably, marijuana (which comes from a cannabis plant with more than 0.3% THC) remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance. This means that the FDA considers it to have a high risk of abuse and no accepted medical use. Accordingly, CBD and THC that come from a marijuana plant are also Schedule 1 controlled substances.