Over the past several decades the public perception of cannabinoids and marijuana has changed considerably. Many states have legalized the use of marijuana, THC, or cannabinoid products for medicinal purposes. The concept that some states (fewer) even allow the recreational usage of pot would have been unimaginable a decade ago.
Any substances derived from the cannabis plant (the marijuana plant, essentially) are known as cannabinoids. Despite their recent legalization (in some states), we’re still discovering new things about cannabinoids. It’s a common idea that cannabinoid compounds have extensive healing properties. There have been conflicting studies about cannabinoids and tinnitus but research suggests there might also be negative effects like a strong link between the use of cannabinoids and the development of tinnitus symptoms.
Cannabinoids come in numerous forms
At present, cannabinoids can be utilized in a number of varieties. Whatever name you want to give it, pot or weed isn’t the only form. Other forms can include topical spreads, edibles, pills, inhalable vapors, and others.
Any of these forms that have a THC level over 0.3% are technically still federally illegal and the available forms will fluctuate by state. So it’s important to be careful with the use of cannabinoids.
The long-term complications and side effects of cannabinoid use are not well understood and that’s the issue. A great example is some new research into how your hearing is impacted by cannabinoid use.
Studies About cannabinoids and hearing
A wide array of disorders are believed to be successfully treated by cannabinoids. Seizures, vertigo, nausea, and more seem to be improved with cannabinoids, according to anecdotally available evidence. So the researchers wondered if cannabinoids could help treat tinnitus, too.
Turns out, cannabinoids might actually cause tinnitus. According to the research, more than 20% of study participants who used cannabinoid products documented hearing a ringing in their ears. And that’s in people who had never experienced tinnitus before. And tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption were 20-times higher with marijuana users.
And for those who already cope with ringing in the ears, using marijuana would actually exacerbate the symptoms. Put simply, there’s some pretty convincing evidence that cannabinoids and tinnitus don’t really mix all that well.
The research is unclear as to how the cannabinoids were used but it should be pointed out that smoking has also been linked to tinnitus symptoms.
Unclear causes of tinnitus
Just because this connection has been uncovered doesn’t automatically mean the root causes are all that well known. It’s pretty clear that cannabinoids have an impact on the middle ear. But what’s causing that impact is far less clear.
Research, undoubtedly, will continue. People will be in a better position to make smarter choices if we can make progress in comprehending the link between the numerous forms of cannabinoids and tinnitus.
Don’t fall for miracle cures
There has definitely been no lack of marketing publicity surrounding cannabinoids in recent years. That’s in part because mindsets about cannabinoids are swiftly changing (this also demonstrates a growing wish to get away from the use of opioids). But this new research makes clear that cannabinoids can and do create some negative effects, especially if you’re concerned about your hearing.
Lately, there’s been aggressive advertising about cannabinoids and you’ll never avoid all of the cannabinoid devotees.
But this research certainly indicates a strong link between tinnitus and cannabinoids. So regardless of how many ads for CBD oil you see, you should steer clear of cannabinoids if you’re worried about tinnitus. The connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus symptoms is unclear at best, so it’s worth exercising a little caution.
References
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lio2.479
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855477/
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aaohnsf/82180