Over the last several decades the public opinion about cannabinoids and marijuana has transformed considerably. Many states now allow the use of marijuana, THC, or cannabinoid products for medicinal reasons. Far fewer states have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes, but even that would have been unthinkable even just ten or fifteen years ago.
Cannabinoids are any substances derived from the cannabis plant (essentially, the marijuana plant). And we’re still learning new things about cannabis in spite of the fact that it’s recently been legalized in a number of states. We frequently think of these particular compounds as having universal healing properties. But research implies a strong link between the use of cannabinoids and tinnitus symptoms but there are also conflicting studies.
Many forms of cannabinoids
Nowadays, cannabinoids can be used in a number of forms. It isn’t only pot or weed or whatever name you want to give it. Other forms can include topical spreads, edibles, inhaled vapors, pills, and more.
Any of these forms that have a THC level higher than 0.3% are technically still federally illegal and the available forms will vary depending on the state. So it’s important to be careful when using cannabinoids.
The issue 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 perfect examples.
Studies About cannabinoids and hearing
Whatever you want to call it, cannabinoids have long been linked with improving a wide range of medical disorders. Seizures, nausea, vertigo, and more seem to be improved with cannabinoids, according to anecdotally available evidence. So the researchers wondered if cannabinoids could help treat tinnitus, too.
Turns out, cannabinoids might actually trigger tinnitus. Ringing in the ears was reported, according to the study, by 20% of the participants who used cannabinoids. 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 those who already cope with ringing in the ears, using marijuana could actually worsen the symptoms. So, it would appear, from this persuasive evidence, that the link between cannabinoids and tinnitus isn’t a positive one.
It should be noted that smoking has also been associated with tinnitus and the research was unclear on how participants were using cannabinoids.
Causes of tinnitus are not clear
Just because this connection has been found doesn’t automatically mean the root causes are all that well comprehended. That cannabinoids can have an affect on the middle ear and on tinnitus is rather obvious. But it’s a lot less clear what’s producing that impact.
Research, undoubtedly, will carry on. Cannabinoids today are available in so many selections and types that comprehending the underlying connection between these substances and tinnitus could help people make better choices.
Beware the miracle cure
There has certainly been no scarcity of marketing publicity associated with cannabinoids recently. To some extent, that’s due to changing mindsets associated with cannabinoids themselves (and, to an extent, is also an indication of a wish to get away from opioids). But this new research clearly demonstrates that cannabinoids can and do cause some negative effects, especially if you’re uneasy about your hearing.
You’ll never be able to avoid all of the cannabinoid enthusiasts and evangelists in the world–the advertising for cannabinoids has been particularly aggressive lately.
But this research certainly indicates 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. It’s not completely clear what the connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids so use some caution.
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References
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lio2.479
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855477/
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aaohnsf/82180