Numerous states currently permit the use of marijuana, THC, or cannabinoid materials for medicinal purposes, and many states have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes.
So, what are cannabinoids?
A specific group of substances that are found in the marijuana or cannabis plant are known as cannabinoids.
Some people believe that cannabinoids have extensive healing qualities, but prevailing studies indicate that there might be unfavorable effects, including a considerable connection between using cannabinoids and experiencing hearing problems such as hearing loss or tinnitus.
How many types of cannabinoids exist?
At present, cannabinoids can be used in lots of forms.
It’s not just weed (or ganja, or reefer … ok, there are a bunch of nicknames for marijuana so let’s move on).
Oils, mists, pills, and other forms of cannabinoids are currently obtainable.
The types of cannabinoids available will vary state by state, and under federal law, many forms are still illegal if the THC content is more than 0.3%.
So it’s not unusual for individuals to remain quite cautious of cannabinoids.
The issue is that we don’t yet grasp some of the long-term side effects or complications of cannabinoid use.
For example, new findings demonstrate how cannabinoids can affect your hearing ability.
Exploring the relationship between cannabinoids and hearing impairment
Cannabinoids are believed to be helpful for a wide range of health issues and medical conditions.
Some studies suggest that cannabinoids may alleviate nausea, vertigo, seizures, and other symptoms.
So researchers decided to find out if cannabinoids could assist with tinnitus, too.
While research is ongoing, cannabis usage could also potentially impact your hearing:
- High Blood Pressure: Cannabis use can possibly lead to raised blood pressure as one of its side effects.
Prolonged elevated blood pressure has the potential to harm blood vessels in various parts of the body, including those within the inner ear. As a result, this damage can cause hearing loss and the feeling of ringing in the ears known as tinnitus. - Ototoxicity: Some of the compounds in cannabis may be ototoxic, meaning they are harmful to the inner ear. This can also result in hearing loss and tinnitus.
Using cannabinoids can undoubtedly lead to the development of tinnitus.
Studies have shown that more than one in five individuals who consumed cannabis-based materials disclosed experiencing tinnitus, identified by a consistent ringing sound in the ears.
Prior to the study, the individuals involved did not experience any signs of tinnitus. Furthermore, individuals who used marijuana were dramatically more prone to documenting tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours.
Additional studies have indicated that using marijuana might worsen the ringing sensation linked to tinnitus in people who already experience this condition.
Simply put, there’s some really strong evidence that tinnitus and cannabinoids don’t really combine all that well.
How cannabinoids make tinnitus worse
There are a number of concrete ways in which cannabinoids can make your tinnitus experience even more difficult.
At first, episodes of tinnitus symptoms might happen more often, and the persistent humming or ringing sound in your ears might become increasingly noticeable.
Additionally, using cannabinoids may exacerbate your tinnitus episodes, resulting in louder and more persistent ringing that can be more difficult to overlook.
Cannabinoids have also been shown to lead to the onset of tinnitus symptoms.
Or, said another way: after you start using cannabinoids you could experience tinnitus symptoms even if you didn’t have them before.
It’s still not well understood what actually causes tinnitus
Even though we acknowledge the relationship between tinnitus and certain triggers, we have yet to establish the distinct underlying causes.
Cannabinoids might affect the middle ear and symptoms of tinnitus, but it still remains unclear why.
Of course, research will continue to be done.
People will be prepared to make a practical decision concerning which of the many types of cannabinoids to select from as we get deeper insight into their connection to tinnitus.
The treatment that’s too good to be true
There’s been no lack of marketing hype involving cannabinoids in recent years.
A major factor is the changing public viewpoint regarding cannabinoids, which also reflects an increasing interest in looking into alternatives to opioids.
However, new research has illuminated the potential downsides of cannabinoids, specifically for individuals who care about their hearing health, showing that these compounds can have undesirable impacts on hearing.
Studies have established an obvious connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids.
So no matter how much advertising you see for CBD oils, if you’re concerned about tinnitus, you should probably avoid them.
It’s worth being cautious when the link between cannabinoids and tinnitus has been so solidly established.
Don’t hesitate to get a professional evaluation if you’re coping with tinnitus or hearing problems – prioritizing your auditory wellness is crucial for your overall health.