Public opinion about marijuana and cannabinoids has changed remarkably over the past several decades. Cannabinoids, marijuana, and THC products are now allowed for medical use in many states. The idea that some states (fewer) even allow the recreational usage of pot would have been unimaginable 10 years ago.
Cannabinoids are any substances produced by the cannabis plant (essentially, the marijuana plant). Despite 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 qualities. There have been contradictory studies about cannabinoids and tinnitus but research indicates there might also be negative effects like a strong link between the use of cannabinoids and the development of tinnitus symptoms.
Various forms of cannabinoids
Nowadays, cannabinoids can be utilized in a number of forms. It isn’t only pot or weed or whatever name you want to give it. These days, THC and cannabinoids are available in pill form, as topical spreads, as inhaled mists, and others.
The forms of cannabinoids available will vary state by state, and most of those forms are still technically federally illegal if the amount of THC is above 0.3%. So it’s essential to be cautious when using cannabinoids.
The long-term complications and side effects of cannabinoid use are not well understood and that’s the issue. A great 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 connected with helping a wide range of medical conditions. According to anecdotal evidence vertigo, nausea, and seizures are just a few of the afflictions that cannabinoids can benefit. So researchers decided to see if cannabinoids could treat tinnitus, too.
Turns out, cannabinoids may actually trigger tinnitus. According to the research, over 20% of study participants who used cannabinoid products documented hearing a ringing in their ears. And tinnitus was never previously experienced by those participants. And tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption were 20-times more likely with people who use marijuana.
Further investigation suggested that marijuana use may exacerbate ear-ringing symptoms in those who already have tinnitus. Put simply, there’s some rather convincing evidence that cannabinoids and tinnitus don’t really mix all that well.
The research is unclear as to how the cannabinoids were used but it should be mentioned that smoking has also been connected to tinnitus symptoms.
Causes of tinnitus are not clear
The discovery of this link doesn’t reveal the root cause of the relationship. That cannabinoids can have an affect on the middle ear and on tinnitus is pretty obvious. But it’s far less clear what’s producing that impact.
Research, undoubtedly, will continue. Cannabinoids today are available in so many varieties and types that understanding the underlying link between these substances and tinnitus could help people make wiser choices.
Beware the miracle cure
There has undeniably been no shortage of marketing hype around cannabinoids in recent years. In part, that’s due to changing mindsets associated with cannabinoids themselves (and, to an extent, is also an indication of a wish 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.
Lately, there’s been aggressive advertising about cannabinoids and you’ll never escape all of the cannabinoid devotees.
But this research certainly suggests a strong connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids. So if you are dealing with tinnitus–or if you’re concerned about tinnitus–it may be worth avoiding cannabinoids if you can, no matter how many adverts for CBD oil you may come across. The connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus symptoms is uncertain at best, so it’s worth using a little caution.
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References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855477/
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aaohnsf/82180