Does cannabis help with wrinkles?

The sentence is: Youth is wasted on the youth. The global anti-aging market is estimated to be worth over $62 billion. And it is estimated to see a compound annual growth rate of nearly seven percent between 2023 and 2027. Everywhere you look we glorify youth and beauty. And nothing says it like beautiful skin. Wrinkles are the enemy of youth and the fight against them is tough. From vampire facials to the Windex hack to sheep placenta facials. But does cannabis help with wrinkles?

Photo by MysteryShot/Getty Images

We know that tobacco contributes to an “aged” experience. And cigarette smokers do this much, much more often. Cigarettes cause premature wrinkles and give your skin a gray, aged appearance. It can cause your skin to become more saggy and give your face a gaunt, hollow appearance. The sagging of the cheeks is particularly noticeable in people with lower body weight. It also affects collagen, the protein in your skin that is responsible for its elasticity. Smoking increases the production of an enzyme that breaks down collagen, reducing the skin’s elasticity and making it look older, sagging and wrinkled.

RELATED: Science says medical marijuana improves quality of life

With marijuana, it’s more mixed and nuanced. People who smoke marijuana are significantly less likely to do so than cigarettes.

Antioxidants are great tools for fighting wrinkles and stopping the damage to our body caused by free radicals on the skin. Two of the most powerful antioxidants in cannabis are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Both compounds work with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors that (among many other functions) protects against oxidation and other types of cell damage. By activating the endocannabinoid system, cannabis wrinkle creams help strengthen the body’s natural defense against free radicals.

Photo by Thirdman via Pexels

Cannabis-infused topicals are the most obvious method. Products include everything from serums and eye masks to cleansing foams and body butters. A key advantage is that you can apply it directly to the desired area (e.g. your face). Before purchasing, read reviews to ensure the product lives up to its claims.

Marijuana smoke is also high in hydrocarbons, which interfere with collagen production. So the effects are similar to smoking cigarettes.

RELATED: NYC unlicensed shops are doing better than the naked cowboy

Traditional everyday things that can prevent wrinkles include staying out of the sun, drinking plenty of water, and moisturizing regularly.