What if the cure for cancer was hidden in an old alcohol pill?
What if baldness wasn’t a curse… but a billion-dollar clue?
Hair loss is one of the weirdest things to write about.
People with full hair don’t care.
People without it? They’ve read every study and memorized the molecule names.
So… who’s this for?
Let’s find out—by going down a rabbit hole of surprise science, drug side quests, and the very real business of baldness.
Spoiler: it’s not just about hair.
Table of Contents
Disulfiram: From Alcohol Aversion to Cancer Combat
1. Disulfiram is a medication originally used to treat alcohol dependence.
2. It works by interfering with alcohol metabolism, causing unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed, thereby deterring drinking.
3. In 1971, a 38-year-old cancer patient developed alcoholism.
4. Despite widespread cancer metastasis and cessation of cancer treatment, he continued taking disulfiram for about 10 years to combat alcoholism.
5. Tragically, he died after falling from a window while heavily intoxicated.
6. This indicated that disulfiram did not cure his alcoholism.
7. Due to the unusual nature of his death, an autopsy was performed.
8. The autopsy revealed that the previously widespread tumors had disappeared.
9. This unexpected finding suggested that disulfiram might have anticancer properties.
10. In 1993, a French research team conducted a clinical trial with 64 cancer patients; those who took disulfiram had a 76% survival rate.
11. In 2017, a multinational research team from Denmark, the Czech Republic, and the U.S. published a paper in Nature detailing disulfiram’s anticancer mechanisms.
12. They tracked 3,000 cancer patients and found that those taking disulfiram had a 34% lower mortality rate compared to those who didn’t.
13. The drug showed particularly promising results against breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
14. The study confirmed that disulfiram disrupts cancer cell activity, leading to their elimination.
Drug Repositioning: Old Meds, New Tricks
15. Sometimes, existing drugs show unexpected benefits for conditions other than their original purpose.
16. For instance, Viagra was initially developed to treat angina (chest pain).
17. Recent studies suggest that combining Viagra with the flu vaccine may reduce cancer metastasis.
18. Preventing the spread of cancer cells post-surgery is crucial in cancer treatment.
19. Natural killer (NK) cells, a type of immune cell, combat cancer cells, but their activity diminishes after surgery.
20. This reduction in NK cell activity post-surgery can make it easier for cancer to spread.
21. Research indicates that Viagra suppresses cells that inhibit NK cells, while the flu vaccine boosts NK cell activity.
22. Experiments in mice yielded groundbreaking results.
23. Mice that underwent cancer surgery without additional treatment had cancer spread to an average of 129 sites.
24. Mice treated only with Viagra saw metastasis reduced to 24 sites.
25. When both Viagra and the flu vaccine were administered, metastasis dropped to just 11 sites.
26. This represents a more than 90% reduction in cancer spread—a significant finding.
27. While these results are promising, it’s essential to see if they translate to humans.
28. However, since both Viagra and the flu vaccine are widely used, if clinical trials confirm their efficacy, they could be quickly repurposed for cancer treatment.
29. Interestingly, some studies also suggest that Viagra may have potential benefits in preventing dementia.
30. This practice of giving old drugs new jobs is called drug repositioning.
31. Pharmaceutical companies find drug repositioning financially beneficial.
32. Since the safety profiles of these drugs are already established, clinical trials can be expedited.
33. This approach significantly reduces the cost and time required for new drug development.
34. Moreover, repositioned drugs have a higher chance of receiving regulatory approval.
35. New drugs have about a 10% chance of approval after Phase 2 trials.
36. In contrast, repositioned drugs have an approval rate of around 25%, making them attractive investments for pharmaceutical companies.
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: Understanding Hair Growth
37. The human body has about 5 million hairs, but the 100,000 on our heads get most of the attention.
38. Typically, scalp hair grows in cycles, with each strand growing for about five years before falling out and being replaced.
39. This cycle can repeat approximately 20 times, meaning hair can continue to grow for about 100 years.
40. After the growth phase, hair enters a short transitional phase, then a resting phase lasting around five months.
41. Following the resting phase, new hair begins to grow, continuing the cycle.
From Prostate Pills to Hair Thrills
42. There’s a rare condition where individuals raised as girls develop male characteristics during puberty.
43. These individuals lack the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.
44. This enzyme converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is crucial for male development.
45. Without sufficient 5-alpha-reductase, DHT isn’t produced effectively, leading to underdeveloped male characteristics.
46. As a result, these individuals are often raised as girls until male traits emerge during puberty.
47. Researchers found that these individuals had small prostates and thick hair.
48. This observation led to the idea that inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase could treat prostate enlargement.
49. This led to the development of Proscar, a drug for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
50. Proscar contains 5mg of finasteride and was introduced in 1992.
51. Its safety and efficacy for treating BPH were well-established.
52. Noticing that patients on Proscar also experienced increased hair growth, researchers saw potential for treating hair loss.
53. DHT not only affects the prostate but also contributes to hair loss by shrinking hair follicles.
54. By inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, finasteride reduces DHT levels, preventing hair follicle shrinkage.Wikipedia
55. In 1997, a lower-dose version of finasteride was introduced specifically for hair loss treatment.
56. This medication is known as Propecia.
Hair Hacks and Cost-Cutting Tips
57. Propecia contains the same active ingredient as Proscar but at a lower dose of 1mg.
58. Since hair loss treatments are often not covered by insurance, Propecia can be expensive.
59. To save money, some people use Proscar and divide the tablets into smaller doses.
60. Proscar is essentially the same as Propecia but at a higher dose and is often covered by insurance.
61. By splitting Proscar tablets into fifths, individuals can effectively create their own Propecia doses at a lower cost.
The Risks of Going Generic
62. Some people opt for generic versions like Finpecia from India.
63. At around $5 per month, even with shipping, it’s considered cost-effective.
64. If manufactured properly, Finpecia should have similar effects to Propecia.
65. However, the quality of manufacturing can vary significantly among Indian pharmaceutical companies.
66. Investigations have revealed that 4 out of 5 Finpecia production facilities in India had poor manufacturing conditions.
67. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid Indian-made generics when possible.
68. In many cases, their quality is even worse than Chinese-made alternatives.
The Commitment to Hair Growth
69. Propecia works by preventing hair follicles from shrinking, reducing hair loss, and stimulating new hair growth from dormant follicles.
70. It takes at least 3 months to see a reduction in hair loss, and about a year for new hair to grow and reach a noticeable length.
71. Due to the long wait, many people stop taking the expensive Propecia before seeing results.
72. It’s not a one-time cure.
73. To maintain its effects, you need to keep taking it indefinitely or until you’re comfortable with hair loss.
74. For pharmaceutical companies, it’s a profitable drug that ensures long-term customers.
Minoxidil: The Hair Growth Sidekick
75. Another hair loss treatment is Minoxidil.
76. Like Propecia, Minoxidil was repurposed from its original use.
77. Initially tested as a high blood pressure medication, Minoxidil has blood vessel-dilating effects.
78. By widening blood vessels, it improves blood flow to hair follicles, promoting hair growth.
79. Since it indirectly stimulates hair growth, Minoxidil is generally less effective than Propecia.
80. Minoxidil is typically applied topically, but oral forms are also available.
81. Oral Minoxidil is less popular due to its side effects.
82. While topical Minoxidil acts directly on the scalp, oral Minoxidil is metabolized by the liver and circulates throughout the body, increasing the risk of side effects.
83. The most common side effect of Minoxidil is excessive hair growth on the body.
84. By enhancing blood flow to hair follicles, it can stimulate hair growth not only on the scalp but also on other parts of the body.
85. If Minoxidil works well for you, be prepared for increased hair growth elsewhere.
Dutasteride: The Potent Alternative
86. There’s an even stronger medication: Dutasteride.
87. Dutasteride was also repurposed from a treatment for enlarged prostate.
88. While more effective than Propecia in preventing hair loss, Dutasteride has a higher incidence of sexual side effects.
89. Those prioritizing hair growth over sexual function often choose Dutasteride over Propecia.
90. Dutasteride’s effects last longer, but so do its side effects.
91. Propecia has a short half-life, leaving the body within 3 days.
92. Dutasteride has a half-life of about 5 weeks, remaining in the body for several months after discontinuation
93. This prolonged presence can be beneficial for maintaining hair growth.
94. Even if you miss a dose or two, Dutasteride continues to work due to its long-lasting effects.
Hair Transplants and Unconventional Solutions
95. Apart from medications, hair transplants using hair from the back of the head are a physical solution to hair loss.
96. While Turkey was once a popular destination for affordable hair transplants, prices have decreased in other countries, reducing the need to travel there.
97. There’s a more radical solution to prevent hair loss.
98. Since testosterone is produced in the testes, removing them at a young age can prevent hair loss.
99. This is why eunuchs, who had their testes removed early in life, typically don’t experience hair loss.
Famous Figures and Hair Restoration
100. Notable figures like former President Donald Trump, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son share a common trait.
101. They have all experienced hair loss.
102. In 1990, Trump underwent a hair transplant, moving hair follicles from the back to the front of his head, and has been taking Propecia for years.
103. Trump reportedly dyes his hair silver to blend the transplanted area with the rest of his hair.
104. Therefore, when Trump claims he doesn’t wear a wig, he’s telling the truth.
The Hairline Retreats, but the Mind Advances
Masayoshi Son once said, “It’s not that my hair is retreating—my forehead is advancing.” Now that’s not just a joke. That’s enlightened coping. Because life throws curveballs—aging, loss, unexpected mirror moments. But whether it’s your hairline, your plans, or your pride shifting shape… The question is: how do you frame it?
You can fight the facts—or you can upgrade the narrative. The world doesn’t need more panic. It needs more people who can laugh, lean in, and say: “This isn’t a setback. It’s a new front.”
Stay light. Stay forward.
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