The question of whether stopping cannabis use can lead to an increase in height stems from a concern about potential growth restriction during formative years. Height is a physical trait determined by a complex interplay of factors, and any substance that interferes with the body’s growth machinery could theoretically alter an individual’s final stature. For those who use cannabis, particularly during adolescence, understanding this potential physiological interaction is a valid concern. Research has explored the connection between cannabis compounds and the intricate hormonal systems that govern human growth, offering insights into the mechanisms that may be affected.
The Science of Height Determination
An individual’s final height is largely predetermined by genetics, accounting for approximately 80% of the variation. The remaining percentage is influenced by environmental factors, primarily nutrition and the endocrine system. Linear growth is controlled by a hormonal cascade known as the Growth Hormone-Insulin-like Growth Factor (GH-IGF) axis.
Growth Hormone (GH) is secreted by the pituitary gland. GH stimulates the liver to produce Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is the primary molecular messenger that drives the proliferation and differentiation of cartilage cells, leading to the lengthening of the long bones. This partnership ensures the body executes its growth program during childhood and adolescence.
How Cannabis Affects Growth Hormones
The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS regulates various physiological processes, including hormone secretion. ECS receptors, particularly the CB1 receptor, are found in high concentrations in brain regions that oversee the endocrine system, such as the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.
When THC binds to CB1 receptors, it interferes with the signaling pathways that control GH release. Studies suggest that exposure to THC can suppress Growth Hormone release from the pituitary gland. This suppression disrupts the normal pulsatile release pattern of GH, resulting in lower circulating levels of the hormone.
Since GH is the upstream signal for IGF-1 production, a reduction in GH levels causes a corresponding decrease in circulating IGF-1. This diminished hormonal signal is the core mechanism by which cannabis may impact the rate of physical growth.
Cannabis Use and Skeletal Development
Height increases specifically at the epiphyseal plates, or growth plates, located near the ends of long bones. These plates are composed of cartilage cells that divide and are eventually replaced by bone in a process called endochondral ossification. The GH-IGF-1 axis drives this activity, as IGF-1 promotes the proliferation and expansion of these cartilage cells.
When GH and IGF-1 levels are suppressed due to chronic cannabis use, the activity within the growth plates may slow down. The reduced rate of cell division decreases the rate at which the long bones lengthen. This slowing of the growth rate is most concerning during the peak growth periods of adolescence.
There is evidence suggesting that cannabis compounds may influence the timing of growth plate closure. The fusion of the growth plates marks the end of linear growth, normally triggered by rising sex hormone levels during late puberty. If cannabis use accelerates this fusion, the individual would stop growing earlier than their genetic potential allows, resulting in a shorter final height.
Answering the Core Question: Can Height Be Regained?
The answer to whether height can be regained after stopping cannabis use depends entirely on the individual’s biological age and developmental status. Linear growth is only possible as long as the epiphyseal plates remain open and active. For most people, these growth plates fuse into solid bone between the late teens and early twenties, ending any further increase in height.
If an individual stops using cannabis before their growth plates have completely fused, the suppression on the GH-IGF-1 axis is likely to lift. Once THC is cleared and the body’s natural signaling returns to normal, the pituitary gland should resume its programmed release of Growth Hormone. This restoration allows the growth plates to return to their normal, genetically determined rate of activity.
In this scenario, the body may experience a period of catch-up growth, attempting to follow its intended growth trajectory. However, if the growth plates have already fused, cessation of cannabis use will not lead to any further increase in height. The window for linear growth is permanently closed at this stage. Therefore, height can only be “regained” if cessation occurs while the biological potential for growth still exists.