Over the last several decades the public perception of cannabinoids and marijuana has changed considerably. Cannabinoids, marijuana, and THC products are now allowed for medical use in many states. The idea that some states (fewer) even allow the recreational use of pot would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.
Any compounds produced by the cannabis plant (the marijuana plant, essentially) are known as cannabinoids. In spite of their recent legalization (in some states), we’re still learning new things about cannabinoids. It’s a common belief that cannabinoid compounds have widespread healing properties. But research implies a strong connection between the use of cannabinoids and tinnitus symptoms but there are also contradictory studies.
Cannabinoids come in many forms
Today, cannabinoids can be utilized in a number of forms. Whatever name you want to give it, pot or weed is not the only form. 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 technically illegal under federal law if the THC content is above 0.3%. So it’s important to be cautious when using cannabinoids.
The problem is that we don’t yet know very 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 into cannabinoids and hearing
A myriad of disorders are believed to be effectively treated by cannabinoids. According to anecdotal evidence vertigo, nausea, and seizures are just a few of the afflictions 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 documented, according to the study, by 20% of the participants who used cannabinoids. And that’s in individuals who had never experienced tinnitus before. And tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption were 20-times higher with people who use marijuana.
Further investigation indicated that marijuana use may exacerbate ear-ringing symptoms in people who already have tinnitus. So, it would appear, from this compelling research, that the relationship between tinnitus and cannabinoids is not a positive one.
The research isn’t clear as to how the cannabinoids were consumed but it should be mentioned that smoking has also been linked to tinnitus symptoms.
Unknown causes of tinnitus
The discovery of this link doesn’t reveal the underlying cause of the relationship. It’s pretty clear that cannabinoids have an impact on the middle ear. But what’s causing that impact is much less clear.
There’s bound to be additional research. Cannabinoids today come in so many varieties and forms that understanding the root connection between these substances and tinnitus could help people make better choices.
Beware the miracle cure
There has definitely been no scarcity of marketing publicity around cannabinoids recently. That’s partly because mindsets about cannabinoids are swiftly changing (and, to an extent, is also a reflection of a desire to turn away from opioids). But some negative effects can come from the use of cannabinoids, particularly with regards to your hearing and this is reflected 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 especially aggressive lately.
But this research undeniably suggests a strong connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids. So if you are dealing with tinnitus–or if you’re worried about tinnitus–it might be worth steering clear of 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.
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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