The Link Between Tinnitus and Cannabinoids

Public opinion surrounding marijuana and cannabinoids has transformed significantly over the past several decades. Many states have legalized the use of marijuana, THC, or cannabinoid products for medicinal reasons. The idea that some states (fewer) even allow the recreational usage of pot would have been hard to imagine 10 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 several states. It’s a common idea that cannabinoid compounds have widespread healing qualities. But research suggests a strong connection between the use of cannabinoids and tinnitus symptoms but there are also conflicting studies.

Cannabinoids come in various forms

There are numerous varieties of cannabinoids that can be used today. Whatever name you want to put on it, pot or weed is not the only form. Other forms can include topical spreads, edibles, pills, inhalable vapors, and others.

The forms of cannabinoids available will differ state by state, and most of those forms are still actually illegal under federal law if the amount of THC is over 0.3%. So it’s essential to be careful with the use of cannabinoids.

The problem is that we don’t yet know much about some of the long-term side effects or complications of cannabinoid use. Some new research into how cannabinoids impact your hearing are prime examples.

Research into cannabinoids and hearing

A myriad of disorders are believed to be effectively managed 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 treat tinnitus, too.

Turns out, cannabinoids may actually cause tinnitus. According to the research, over 20% of study participants who used cannabinoid products reported hearing a ringing in their ears. And tinnitus was never formerly experienced by those participants. And tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption were 20-times higher with marijuana users.

And for individuals who already cope with ringing in the ears, using marijuana would actually worsen the symptoms. In other words, there’s some pretty persuasive evidence that cannabinoids and tinnitus don’t really mix all that well.

The research isn’t clear as to how the cannabinoids were consumed but it should be mentioned that smoking has also been connected to tinnitus symptoms.

Unknown causes of tinnitus

Just because this connection has been uncovered doesn’t automatically mean the root causes are all that well understood. It’s pretty clear that cannabinoids have an impact on the middle ear. But it’s far less clear what’s causing that impact.

Research, obviously, will carry on. Individuals will be in a better position to make wiser choices if we can make progress in comprehending the connection between the many varieties of cannabinoids and tinnitus.

Beware the miracle cure

Recently, there has been a great deal of marketing publicity around cannabinoids. In part, that’s the result of changing attitudes associated with cannabinoids themselves (this also demonstrates a growing wish to get away from opioid use). But some negative effects can result from cannabinoid use, especially with regards to your hearing and this is demonstrated in this new research.

You’ll never be able to avoid all of the cannabinoid aficionados and devotees in the world–the advertising for cannabinoids has been especially aggressive lately.

But a powerful connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus is certainly implied by this research. So no matter how many ads for CBD oil you see, you should avoid cannabinoids if you’re worried about tinnitus. The link between cannabinoids and tinnitus symptoms is uncertain at best, so it’s worth using a little caution.

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