Public opinion surrounding marijuana and cannabinoids has changed remarkably over the past several decades. Many states have legalized the use of marijuana, THC, or cannabinoid products for medicinal reasons. Far fewer states have legalized pot for recreational reasons, but even that would have been unthinkable even just ten or fifteen years ago.
Any substances produced by the cannabis plant (the marijuana plant, essentially) are known as cannabinoids. And we’re still discovering new things about cannabis despite the fact that it’s recently been legalized in a number of states. It’s a common notion 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 such as a direct link between the use of cannabinoids and the development of tinnitus symptoms.
Cannabinoids come in various forms
There are numerous varieties of cannabinoids that can be used presently. It isn’t only pot or weed or whatever name you want to put on it. These days, THC and cannabinoids are available in the form of a pill, as topical spreads, as inhaled mists, 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 THC content is over 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 understood and that’s the problem. Some new research into how cannabinoids affect your hearing are prime examples.
Studies About cannabinoids and hearing
A myriad of conditions are believed to be effectively treated by cannabinoids. 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 manage 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. And tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption were 20-times more likely with marijuana users.
Further studies suggested that marijuana use could exacerbate ear-ringing symptoms in individuals who already have tinnitus. Put simply, there’s some rather convincing evidence that cannabinoids and tinnitus don’t really work well together.
It should be noted that smoking has also been associated with tinnitus and the research was unclear on how participants were using cannabinoids.
Causes of tinnitus are not clear
The discovery of this connection doesn’t reveal the underlying cause of the relationship. That cannabinoids can have an influence on the middle ear and on tinnitus is rather clear. But it’s much less clear what’s producing that impact.
Research, obviously, will continue. Cannabinoids today are available in so many varieties and forms that comprehending the fundamental connection between these substances and tinnitus could help individuals make better choices.
Don’t fall for miracle cures
There has definitely been no lack of marketing publicity around cannabinoids recently. In part, that’s the result of changing attitudes associated with cannabinoids themselves (this also reflects a growing desire to get away from the use of opioids). But some negative effects can come from cannabinoid use, especially with regards to your hearing and this is demonstrated in this new research.
Lately, there’s been aggressive marketing about cannabinoids and you’ll never escape all of the cannabinoid enthusiasts.
But a powerful connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus is definitely implied by this research. So regardless of 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 unclear 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