Researcher examining leaves of cannabinoids that have been linked to tinnitus.

Public opinion surrounding marijuana and cannabinoids has changed remarkably over the past several decades. Cannabinoids, marijuana, and THC products are now legal for medical use in many states. Substantially fewer states have legalized marijuana for recreational reasons, but even that would have been unimaginable even just ten or fifteen years ago.

Any compounds derived from the cannabis plant (the marijuana plant, basically) are known as cannabinoids. And we’re still learning new things about cannabis despite the fact that it’s recently been legalized in numerous states. We frequently view these specific compounds as having widespread healing qualities. But research implies a strong connection between the use of cannabinoids and tinnitus symptoms but there are also conflicting studies.

Cannabinoids come in numerous forms

Nowadays, cannabinoids can be utilized in a number of forms. It’s not just pot or weed or whatever name you want to give it. Other forms can include topical spreads, edibles, inhaled vapors, pills, and more.

Any of these forms that contain a THC level over 0.3% are technically still federally illegal and the available forms will fluctuate depending on the state. That’s why many individuals tend to be quite cautious about 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 great example is some new research into how your hearing is impacted by cannabinoid use.

Studies About cannabinoids and hearing

Whatever you want to call it, cannabinoids have long been linked with helping a large number 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 manage tinnitus, too.

Turns out, cannabinoids may actually trigger tinnitus. According to the research, more than 20% of study participants who used cannabinoid products documented hearing a ringing in their ears. And that’s in people who had never experienced tinnitus before. And tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption were 20-times higher with marijuana users.

Further studies suggested that marijuana use may worsen ear-ringing symptoms in those who already have tinnitus. Put simply, there’s some fairly convincing evidence that cannabinoids and tinnitus don’t really work well together.

It should be mentioned that smoking has also been linked with tinnitus and the research wasn’t clear on how participants were consuming cannabinoids.

Unknown causes of tinnitus

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 fairly clear. But it’s far less evident what’s causing that impact.

There’s bound to be additional research. Cannabinoids today come in so many selections and forms that understanding the underlying connection between these substances and tinnitus might help people make smarter choices.

Beware the miracle cure

Recently, there has been plenty of marketing hype around cannabinoids. That’s partly because attitudes about cannabinoids are rapidly changing (this also shows a growing wish to get away from opioid use). But this new research clearly demonstrates that cannabinoids can and do create some negative effects, particularly if you’re uneasy about your hearing.

You’ll never be capable of avoiding all of the cannabinoid enthusiasts and devotees in the world–the marketing for cannabinoids has been especially aggressive lately.

But this research undeniably suggests a powerful connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids. So if you are dealing with tinnitus–or if you’re concerned about tinnitus–it might 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 use some caution.

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855477/
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aaohnsf/82180

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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