Public opinion surrounding marijuana and cannabinoids has transformed significantly over the last several decades. Many states now allow the use of marijuana, THC, or cannabinoid products for medicinal purposes. The idea that some states (fewer) even allow the recreational use of pot would have been unimaginable a decade ago.
Any compounds derived from the cannabis plant (the marijuana plant, basically) are known as cannabinoids. In spite of their recent legalization (in some states), we’re still discovering new things about cannabinoids. We frequently think of these specific compounds as having universal healing qualities. There have been conflicting studies about cannabinoids and tinnitus but research indicates there might also be negative effects such as a direct connection between cannabinoid use and the development of tinnitus symptoms.
Cannabinoids come in many forms
There are numerous forms of cannabinoids that can be used presently. It isn’t just pot or weed or whatever name you want to give it. These days, THC and cannabinoids are available in the form of a pill, as inhaled mists, as topical spreads, and others.
Any of these forms that contain a THC level above 0.3% are technically still federally illegal and the available forms will fluctuate by state. So it’s important to be careful with the use of 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 linked with helping a wide range of medical disorders. According to anecdotal evidence vertigo, nausea, and seizures are just a few of the afflictions that cannabinoids can help. So researchers decided to see if cannabinoids could help with tinnitus, too.
But what they discovered was that tinnitus symptoms can actually be activated by the use of cannabinoids. Ringing in the ears was reported, according to the study, by 20% of the participants who used cannabinoids. And tinnitus was never previously experienced by those participants. And tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption were 20-times more likely with marijuana users.
Further studies indicated that marijuana use could worsen ear-ringing symptoms in individuals who already suffer from tinnitus. So, it would appear, from this persuasive evidence, that the relationship between cannabinoids and tinnitus is not a positive one.
The research isn’t clear as to how the cannabinoids were consumed but it should be pointed out that smoking has also been linked to tinnitus symptoms.
Causes of tinnitus are unclear
Just because this link has been uncovered doesn’t automatically mean the underlying causes are all that well understood. That cannabinoids can have an affect on the middle ear and on tinnitus is fairly obvious. But what’s causing that impact is far less clear.
Research, undoubtedly, will continue. People will be in a better position to make smarter choices if we can make progress in comprehending the link between the many forms of cannabinoids and tinnitus.
Don’t fall for miracle cures
Recently, there has been plenty of marketing hype around cannabinoids. That’s in part because mindsets surrounding cannabinoids are swiftly changing (this also reflects a growing wish to get away from the use of 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.
Lately, there’s been aggressive marketing about cannabinoids and you’ll never escape all of the cannabinoid enthusiasts.
But this research certainly indicates a strong connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids. So regardless of how many ads for CBD oil you see, you should steer clear of cannabinoids if you’re concerned about tinnitus. It’s not exactly clear what the connection 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