Over the past several decades the public opinion about cannabinoids and marijuana has changed significantly. Cannabinoids, marijuana, and THC products are now allowed for medical use in many states. The concept that some states (fewer) even allow the recreational use of pot would have been hard to imagine 10 years ago.
Any substances derived from the cannabis plant (the marijuana plant, essentially) are known as cannabinoids. In spite of their recent legalization (in some states), we’re still discovering new things about cannabinoids. It’s a common belief that cannabinoid compounds have extensive healing attributes. There have been contradictory studies about cannabinoids and tinnitus but research suggests there may also be negative effects like a direct link between the use of cannabinoids and the development of tinnitus symptoms.
Cannabinoids come in numerous forms
There are numerous forms of cannabinoids that can be used nowadays. 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 more.
The forms of cannabinoids available will vary state by state, and many of those forms are still technically illegal under federal law if the amount of THC is over 0.3%. So it’s essential to be cautious when using cannabinoids.
The problem is that we don’t yet know much about some of the long-term side effects or complications of cannabinoid use. Some new studies into how cannabinoids impact your hearing are perfect examples.
Research into cannabinoids and hearing
Whatever you want to call it, cannabinoids have long been connected with improving a wide variety of medical conditions. According to anecdotal evidence vertigo, nausea, and seizures are just a few of the afflictions that cannabinoids can benefit. So the researchers wondered if cannabinoids could help treat tinnitus, too.
Turns out, cannabinoids may actually cause tinnitus. According to the research, more than 20% of study participants who used cannabinoid products reported hearing a ringing in their ears. And that’s in individuals who had never experienced tinnitus before. Furthermore, marijuana users were 20-times more likely to report experiencing tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption.
Further studies indicated that marijuana use may worsen ear-ringing symptoms in those who already have tinnitus. So, it would appear, from this compelling research, that the link between tinnitus and cannabinoids isn’t a positive one.
It should be mentioned that smoking has also been associated with tinnitus and the research wasn’t clear on how participants were consuming cannabinoids.
Unclear causes of tinnitus
Just because this connection has been uncovered doesn’t necessarily mean the underlying causes are all that well comprehended. It’s quite clear that cannabinoids have an impact on the middle ear. But it’s a lot less evident what’s producing that impact.
There’s bound to be further research. People will be in a better position to make smarter choices if we can make progress in comprehending the link between the many varieties of cannabinoids and tinnitus.
Don’t fall for miracle cures
In recent years, there has been lots of marketing hype surrounding cannabinoids. To some extent, that’s the result of changing mindsets surrounding cannabinoids themselves (and, to some extent, is also a reflection of a desire to turn away from opioids). But some negative effects can result from cannabinoid use, particularly with regards to your hearing and this is demonstrated in this new research.
You’ll never be able to avoid all of the cannabinoid aficionados and evangelists in the world–the advertising for cannabinoids has been particularly aggressive lately.
But a strong link between cannabinoids and tinnitus is certainly implied by this research. So no matter how many ads for CBD oil you see, you should steer clear of cannabinoids if you’re worried about tinnitus. The link between cannabinoids and tinnitus symptoms is uncertain at best, so it’s worth exercising a little 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