Over the past several decades the public perception of cannabinoids and marijuana has transformed considerably. Cannabinoids, marijuana, and THC products are now legal for medical use in many states. The idea that some states (fewer) even allow the recreational usage of pot would have been unimaginable a decade ago.
Cannabinoids are any substances produced by the cannabis plant (basically, the marijuana plant). In spite of their recent legalization (in some states), we’re still learning new things about cannabinoids. It’s a common notion that cannabinoid compounds have widespread healing properties. There have been contradictory studies about cannabinoids and tinnitus but research suggests there might also be negative effects like a direct connection between cannabinoid use and the development of tinnitus symptoms.
Cannabinoids come in many forms
There are many forms of cannabinoids that can be utilized presently. Whatever name you want to give it, pot or weed isn’t the only form. These days, THC and cannabinoids are available in the form of a pill, as topical spreads, as inhaled mists, and others.
The forms of cannabinoids available will differ state by state, and many of those forms are still technically federally illegal if the THC content is above 0.3%. So it’s important to be cautious when using cannabinoids.
The long-term complications and side effects of cannabinoid use are not well known and that’s the problem. Some new research into how cannabinoids affect your hearing are perfect examples.
Research into 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 manage tinnitus, too.
Turns out, cannabinoids might actually cause tinnitus. According to the research, over 20% of study participants who used cannabinoid products documented hearing a ringing in their ears. And that’s in individuals who had never experienced tinnitus before. What’s more, 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 people who already suffer from tinnitus. So, it would seem, from this compelling research, that the link between cannabinoids and tinnitus is not a positive one.
It should be mentioned that smoking has also been linked with tinnitus and the research was unclear on how participants were consuming cannabinoids.
Causes of tinnitus are unclear
Just because this link has been uncovered doesn’t automatically mean the underlying causes are all that well comprehended. It’s pretty clear that cannabinoids have an influence on the middle ear. But what’s causing that impact is a lot less clear.
Research, undoubtedly, will continue. Cannabinoids today are available in so many selections and types that understanding the underlying connection between these substances and tinnitus could help individuals make better choices.
Beware the miracle cure
Recently, there has been plenty of marketing hype around cannabinoids. That’s partly because mindsets associated with cannabinoids are swiftly changing (and, to some extent, is also a reflection of a desire to move away from opioids). But some negative effects can come from cannabinoid use, especially regarding your hearing and this is demonstrated in this new research.
You’ll never be capable of avoiding all of the cannabinoid enthusiasts and evangelists in the world–the advertising for cannabinoids has been particularly aggressive lately.
But a strong connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus is certainly implied by this research. So if you are dealing with tinnitus–or if you’re worried about tinnitus–it might be worth avoiding cannabinoids if you can, no matter how many advertisements for CBD oil you may come across. It’s not exactly clear what the connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids so exercise some 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
