Public opinion surrounding marijuana and cannabinoids has transformed remarkably over the last 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 hard to imagine 10 years ago.
Cannabinoids are any compounds derived from the cannabis plant (basically, the marijuana plant). In spite of their recent legalization (in some states), we’re still learning new things about cannabinoids. We often view these particular compounds as having universal healing properties. There have been contradictory studies about cannabinoids and tinnitus but research suggests there may also be negative effects like a strong connection between the use of cannabinoids and the development of tinnitus symptoms.
Cannabinoids come in numerous forms
At present, cannabinoids can be consumed in many varieties. It’s not only pot or weed or whatever name you want to give it. Other forms can include topical spreads, edibles, pills, inhalable vapors, and more.
The forms of cannabinoids available will vary state by state, and many of those forms are still technically illegal under federal law if the amount of THC is over 0.3%. So it’s important to be careful when using 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 studies into how cannabinoids affect your hearing are prime examples.
Studies About cannabinoids and hearing
A myriad of conditions are believed to be successfully treated by cannabinoids. According to anecdotal evidence vertigo, nausea, and seizures are just a few of the conditions that cannabinoids can benefit. So the researchers wondered if cannabinoids could help manage tinnitus, too.
But what they found was that tinnitus symptoms can actually be caused by the use of cannabinoids. Ringing in the ears was documented, according to the study, by 20% of the participants who used cannabinoids. And tinnitus was never previously experienced by those participants. Furthermore, marijuana users were 20-times more likely to report experiencing tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption.
And for people who already cope with ringing in the ears, using marijuana may actually worsen the symptoms. So, it would appear, from this persuasive evidence, that the link 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 mentioned that smoking has also been linked to tinnitus symptoms.
Causes of tinnitus are unclear
The discovery of this connection doesn’t reveal the root cause of the relationship. It’s quite clear that cannabinoids have an impact on the middle ear. But it’s much less evident what’s producing that impact.
Research, undoubtedly, will continue. Cannabinoids today come in so many varieties and forms that understanding the underlying connection between these substances and tinnitus could help people make wiser choices.
Don’t fall for miracle cures
Recently, there has been lots of marketing publicity surrounding cannabinoids. That’s partly because perceptions about cannabinoids are quickly changing (and, to some extent, is also an indication of a desire to move away from opioids). But this new research clearly demonstrates that cannabinoids can and do create some negative effects, especially if you’re concerned about your hearing.
You’ll never be able to avoid all of the cannabinoid aficionados and devotees in the world–the marketing for cannabinoids has been particularly intense lately.
But a strong link between cannabinoids and tinnitus is definitely implied by this research. So no matter how many ads for CBD oil you see, you should steer clear of cannabinoids if you’re concerned about tinnitus. The connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus symptoms is uncertain at best, so it’s worth exercising a little caution.
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References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855477/
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aaohnsf/82180
