Public opinion about marijuana and cannabinoids has transformed remarkably over the past several decades. Cannabinoids, marijuana, and THC products are now allowed for medical use in many states. Substantially fewer states have legalized pot for recreational purposes, but even that would have been unthinkable even just ten or fifteen years ago.
Cannabinoids are any substances produced by the cannabis plant (essentially, the marijuana plant). Despite their recent legalization (in some states), we’re still learning new things about cannabinoids. It’s a common notion that cannabinoid compounds have extensive healing properties. There have been conflicting studies about cannabinoids and tinnitus but research indicates there might also be negative effects such as a strong link between the use of cannabinoids and the development of tinnitus symptoms.
Cannabinoids come in various forms
There are many varieties of cannabinoids that can be used today. It isn’t just pot or weed or whatever name you want to give it. Other forms can include topical spreads, edibles, inhaled vapors, pills, 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. That’s why many individuals tend to be quite careful about cannabinoids.
The long-term complications and side effects of cannabinoid use are not well understood and that’s the issue. A good example is some new research into how your hearing is impacted by cannabinoid use.
Research into cannabinoids and hearing
Whatever you want to call it, cannabinoids have long been connected with helping a large number of medical conditions. According to anecdotal evidence vertigo, nausea, and seizures are just a few of the conditions that cannabinoids can help. So the researchers wondered if cannabinoids could help treat tinnitus, too.
Turns out, cannabinoids might actually trigger tinnitus. Ringing in the ears was reported, 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 describe experiencing tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption.
Further investigation suggested that marijuana use may worsen ear-ringing symptoms in those who already have tinnitus. So, it would seem, from this compelling research, that the link between tinnitus and cannabinoids is not a beneficial one.
The research isn’t clear as to how the cannabinoids were used but it should be mentioned that smoking has also been linked to tinnitus symptoms.
Causes of tinnitus are unclear
Just because this connection has been uncovered doesn’t automatically mean the root causes are all that well comprehended. It’s pretty clear that cannabinoids have an impact on the middle ear. But it’s much less evident what’s producing that impact.
There’s bound to be additional research. Individuals will be in a better position to make wiser choices if we can make progress in comprehending the link between the numerous forms of cannabinoids and tinnitus.
Beware the miracle cure
There has definitely been no scarcity of marketing publicity surrounding cannabinoids in recent years. That’s in part because attitudes about cannabinoids are swiftly changing (this also demonstrates a growing desire to get away from opioid use). But some negative effects can come from the use of cannabinoids, particularly regarding your hearing and this is demonstrated in this new research.
Lately, there’s been aggressive marketing about cannabinoids and you’ll never avoid all of the cannabinoid enthusiasts.
But this research undeniably suggests a powerful link between tinnitus and cannabinoids. So if you are dealing with tinnitus–or if you’re worried about tinnitus–it may be worth avoiding cannabinoids if you can, no matter how many advertisements for CBD oil you might come across. It’s not exactly clear what the link between tinnitus and cannabinoids so exercise some caution.
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References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855477/
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aaohnsf/82180