The utilization of marijuana is now legal in a number of states for medical applications and in several other states for recreational usage.
Let’s take a look at what defines cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids are categorized as a group of compounds found in the cannabis or marijuana plant.
Some individuals believe that cannabinoids have broad healing properties, however prevailing researches indicate that there could be unfavorable effects, including a substantial link between the use of cannabinoids and experiencing hearing issues such as hearing loss or tinnitus.
What are the different types of cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are now available in a variety of formats and usages.
It’s not just weed (or ganja, or reefer … ok, there are a lot of nicknames for marijuana so let’s move on).
Cannabinoids are presently available in formats consisting of oils, sprays, capsules, and more.
Depending on the state, and according to federal regulations, different forms of cannabinoids will be available, while several varieties are still prohibited if their THC concentration exceeds 0.3%.
So it’s still common for people to be very cautious about cannabinoids.
The issue is that the total extent of the possible risks and repercussions associated with cannabis use over an extended period remains unclear.
One example is the new information about how cannabinoids impact your hearing.
Exploring the relationship between cannabinoids and hearing loss
Cannabinoids are believed to be beneficial for a variety of health problems and medical ailments.
Seizures, nausea, vertigo, and more appear to be helped by cannabinoids, according to some research.
So scientists decided to see if cannabinoids could help with tinnitus, too.
While research is ongoing, cannabis usage could also potentially affect your hearing:
- High Blood Pressure: Cannabis use can potentially lead to elevated 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 compounds found in cannabis could be harmful causing hearing problems and ringing in the ears due to their ototoxic properties.
Yes, tinnitus can be caused by cannabinoid use.
According to the research, over 20% of study participants who used cannabinoid materials documented hearing a ringing in their ears.
And, these subjects had never had tinnitus symptoms before the study. What’s more, marijuana users were 20-times more likely to report experiencing tinnitus symptoms after 24 hours.
Additional research indicated that marijuana use might aggravate ear-ringing symptoms in those who already deal with tinnitus.
Put simply, research indicates that tinnitus and cannabinoids may not be a good combination.
The potential negative impact of cannabinoids on tinnitus symptoms
Cannabinoids can worsen your tinnitus in a few specific ways.
Initially, episodes of tinnitus symptoms might occur more often, and the constant humming or ringing sound in your ears might become increasingly obvious.
Also, your bouts of tinnitus can become more extreme when you’re using cannabinoids. More extreme ringing that can be harder to disregard can be the outcome.
The beginning of tinnitus symptoms has also been linked to cannabinoids.
In other words, starting to employ cannabinoids might lead to the inception of tinnitus symptoms, even if you didn’t experience them before.
The root cause of tinnitus remains uncertain
Although we acknowledge the relationship between tinnitus and specific triggers, we have yet to determine the exact underlying causes.
Cannabinoids can have an effect on the middle ear and symptoms of tinnitus. But what’s causing that impact is much less clear.
Clearly, research is ongoing.
As we get a better understanding of how cannabinoids are connected to tinnitus, people will have the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision on which type of cannabinoid to choose.
caution:
There’s been no lack of marketing hype surrounding cannabinoids in recent years.
That’s partly because opinions are transforming about cannabinoids (and, to an extent, is also an indication of a desire to move away from opioids).
However, new research has shed new light on the potential downsides of cannabinoids, particularly for people who care about their hearing health, showing that these compounds can have undesirable impacts on hearing.
Tinnitus and cannabinoids are clearly linked based on current research.
So regardless of how much advertising you see for CBD oils, if you’re concerned about tinnitus, you should most likely avoid them.
It’s worth being cautious when the connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus has been so solidly established.
If you are experiencing tinnitus or hearing loss, you shouldn’t wait to schedule a hearing exam, your hearing health is so essential.