The use of marijuana is now legal in many states for medical purposes and in numerous other states for recreational use.
Let’s take a look at what defines cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids are classified as a group of compounds found in the cannabis or marijuana plant.
Some believe that cannabinoids have broad healing properties, yet existing studies reveal that there might be negative impacts, including a considerable link between using cannabinoids and experiencing hearing issues like hearing loss or tinnitus.
How many kinds of cannabinoids are there?
Cannabinoids are presently available in a variety of forms and usages.
It’s not merely weed (or ganja, or reefer … ok, there are a bunch of nicknames for marijuana so let’s move on).
Cannabinoids are presently available in forms consisting of oils, sprays, capsules, and more.
The types of cannabinoids available will differ state by state, and under federal law, many types are still illegal if the THC content is greater than 0.3%.
So it’s not unusual for people to be quite cautious of cannabinoids.
The issue is that we don’t presently understand some of the lasting side effects or complications of cannabinoid use.
One example is the new information about how cannabinoids impact your hearing.
Cannabinoids and hearing loss
Cannabinoids are thought to be beneficial for a wide range of health issues and medical conditions.
Seizures, nausea, vertigo, and more seem to be helped by cannabinoids, according to some studies.
Scientists then looked into whether cannabinoids could also provide reprieve for people suffering from tinnitus.
While studies are ongoing, cannabis use could also potentially affect your hearing:
- High Blood Pressure: Cannabis use can possibly result in increased blood pressure as one of its side effects.
Continual high blood pressure can harm blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the inner ear. This can result in hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). - Ototoxicity: Some of the compounds in cannabis might be ototoxic, meaning they are harmful to the inner ear. This can also result in hearing loss and tinnitus.
Yes, tinnitus can be induced by cannabinoid use.
Based on the research, over 20% of study subjects who used cannabinoid materials documented hearing a ringing in their ears.
Prior to the study, the individuals involved did not experience any signs of tinnitus. Furthermore, individuals who used marijuana were substantially more prone to reporting tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours.
Additional studies have suggested that using marijuana might exacerbate the ringing sensation linked to tinnitus in people who already experience this condition.
In other words, research reveals that tinnitus and cannabinoids may not be a great combination.
How cannabinoids make tinnitus worse
There are a number of tangible ways in which cannabinoids can make your tinnitus experience even more difficult.
To begin with, the occurrences of tinnitus symptoms can become more regular, you may observe the buzzing or ringing in your ears more frequently.
Additionally, using cannabinoids may intensify your tinnitus episodes, leading to louder and more persistent ringing that can be more difficult to overlook.
Cannabinoids have also been shown to lead to the beginning of tinnitus symptoms.
Or, said differently: after you start employing cannabinoids you could develop tinnitus symptoms even if you didn’t have them before.
The root cause of tinnitus remains uncertain
While we observe a relationship between tinnitus and specific triggers, we’re still unsure what the actual underlying causes are.
Cannabinoids might affect the middle ear and symptoms of tinnitus, but it’s still uncertain why.
Clearly, research is continuing.
People will be equipped to make a practical decision regarding which of the many types of cannabinoids to select from as we obtain deeper understanding into their link to tinnitus.
The miracle cure beware
There’s been no lack of advertising hype surrounding cannabinoids in recent years.
A key factor is the shifting public viewpoint concerning cannabinoids, which also echoes an increasing interest in looking into alternatives to opioids.
But this new research makes it clear that cannabinoids can and do bring about some unfavorable repercussions, particularly if you’re worried about your hearing health.
Studies have established an obvious connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids.
So regardless of how much marketing you see for CBD oils, if you’re concerned about tinnitus, you should probably steer clear of them.
With the strong link between cannabinoids and tinnitus, it’s wise to exercise caution.
If you are experiencing tinnitus or hearing loss, you shouldn’t wait to schedule a hearing test, your hearing health is so important.
