Over the past several decades the public opinion about cannabinoids and marijuana has transformed significantly. Cannabinoids, marijuana, and THC products are now allowed for medical use in many states. Far fewer states have legalized pot for recreational purposes, but even that would have been unimaginable even just ten or fifteen years ago.
Any compounds produced by the cannabis plant (the marijuana plant, basically) are known as cannabinoids. Despite their recent legalization (in some states), we’re still learning new things about cannabinoids. We often view these specific compounds as having widespread healing qualities. There have been contradictory studies about cannabinoids and tinnitus but research suggests there may also be negative effects such as a direct link between cannabinoid use and the development of tinnitus symptoms.
Various forms of cannabinoids
Nowadays, cannabinoids can be utilized in a number of forms. It’s not just pot or weed or whatever name you want to put on it. Other forms can include topical spreads, edibles, inhaled vapors, pills, and more.
The forms of cannabinoids available will differ state by state, and most of those forms are still actually federally illegal if the amount of THC is above 0.3%. So it’s essential to be cautious when using cannabinoids.
The issue is that we don’t yet know much about some of the long-term side effects or complications of cannabinoid use. A good example is some new research into how your hearing is impacted by cannabinoid use.
Research connecting hearing to cannabinoids
A wide array of disorders are believed to be successfully managed 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 manage tinnitus, too.
But what they discovered was that tinnitus symptoms can actually be activated by the use of cannabinoids. Ringing in the ears was documented, according to the study, by 20% of the participants who used cannabinoids. And tinnitus was never formerly experienced by those participants. Furthermore, marijuana users were 20-times more likely to report experiencing tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption.
Further research suggested that marijuana use may worsen ear-ringing symptoms in those who already suffer from tinnitus. In other words, there’s some pretty persuasive 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 mentioned that smoking has also been linked to tinnitus symptoms.
Unclear causes of tinnitus
Just because this link has been discovered doesn’t automatically mean the root causes are all that well known. That cannabinoids can have an impact on the middle ear and on tinnitus is rather obvious. But it’s a lot less clear what’s producing that impact.
Research, undoubtedly, will carry on. Cannabinoids today come in so many varieties and types that understanding the root link between these substances and tinnitus could help individuals make smarter choices.
Don’t fall for miracle cures
Recently, there has been a great deal of marketing publicity surrounding cannabinoids. That’s in part because mindsets about cannabinoids are swiftly changing (and, to an extent, is also a reflection of a wish to get away from opioids). But this new research clearly demonstrates that cannabinoids can and do cause some negative effects, especially if you’re concerned about your hearing.
Lately, there’s been aggressive marketing about cannabinoids and you’ll never avoid all of the cannabinoid enthusiasts.
But a strong connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus is certainly indicated by this research. So if you have tinnitus–or if you’re worried about tinnitus–it may be worth steering clear of cannabinoids if you can, no matter how many adverts for CBD oil you might come across. The connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus symptoms is uncertain at best, so it’s worth exercising some caution.
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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