Public opinion surrounding marijuana and cannabinoids has transformed remarkably over the past several decades. Cannabinoids, marijuana, and THC products are now allowed for medical use in many states. Far fewer states have legalized pot for recreational reasons, but even that would have been unthinkable 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 several states. We often think of these specific compounds as having universal healing properties. There have been conflicting studies about cannabinoids and tinnitus but research indicates there might also be negative effects like a direct link between the use of cannabinoids and the development of tinnitus symptoms.
Numerous forms of cannabinoids
There are many forms of cannabinoids that can be used presently. Whatever name you want to give it, pot or weed isn’t the only form. Other forms can include topical spreads, edibles, inhaled vapors, pills, and more.
The forms of cannabinoids available will differ state by state, and many of those forms are still actually illegal under federal law if the THC content is above 0.3%. That’s why many people tend to be rather careful about cannabinoids.
The issue 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 affected by cannabinoid use.
Research into cannabinoids and hearing
Whatever you want to call it, cannabinoids have long been associated 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 researchers made a decision to find out if cannabinoids could treat tinnitus, too.
Turns out, cannabinoids may actually cause tinnitus. 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 higher with people who use marijuana.
And for individuals who already cope with ringing in the ears, using marijuana could actually exacerbate the symptoms. Put simply, there’s some pretty persuasive evidence that cannabinoids and tinnitus don’t really work well together.
It should be mentioned that smoking has also been associated with tinnitus and the research was unclear on how participants were using cannabinoids.
Unknown causes of tinnitus
Just because this link has been uncovered doesn’t necessarily mean the underlying causes are all that well known. It’s pretty clear that cannabinoids have an influence on the middle ear. But it’s much less evident what’s causing that impact.
There’s bound to be more research. Cannabinoids today are available in so many varieties and forms that comprehending the fundamental link between these substances and tinnitus could help individuals make better choices.
Don’t fall for miracle cures
In recent years, there has been a great deal of marketing publicity around cannabinoids. That’s partly because perceptions surrounding cannabinoids are rapidly changing (and, to some extent, is also a reflection of a wish to move away from opioids). But this new research makes clear 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 enthusiasts and evangelists in the world–the marketing for cannabinoids has been especially intense lately.
But this research certainly indicates a strong link between tinnitus and cannabinoids. So if you are dealing with tinnitus–or if you’re worried about tinnitus–it may be worth avoiding cannabinoids if you can, no matter how many advertisements for CBD oil you might 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