The utilization of marijuana is now legal in many states for medical applications and in several other states for recreational use.
Let’s have a look at what defines cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids are categorized as a group of compounds found in the cannabis or marijuana plant.
Cannabinoids are frequently believed to provide extensive healing qualities, but established research implies there might also be negative effects including a strong link between cannabinoid use and the advancement of hearing loss or tinnitus symptoms.
How many types of cannabinoids are there?
At present, cannabinoids can be used in lots of forms.
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 now available in forms including oils, sprays, capsules, and more.
The types of cannabinoids available will differ state by state, and under federal law, many forms are still illegal if the THC concentration is greater than 0.3%.
So it’s still common for individuals to be very careful about cannabinoids.
The problem is that the full extent of the possible risks and repercussions related to cannabis use over an extended time period remains uncertain.
One example is the new data about how cannabinoids impact your hearing.
Cannabinoids and hearing loss
A large variety of health problems and medical conditions are believed to be benefited by cannabinoids.
Seizures, nausea, vertigo, and more appear to be helped by cannabinoids, according to some research.
So scientists decided to find out if cannabinoids could help with tinnitus, too.
While research is continuing, cannabis usage could also potentially affect your hearing:
- High Blood Pressure: Cannabis use can potentially result in increased blood pressure as one of its side effects.
Chronic high blood pressure can harm blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the inner ear. This can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). - Ototoxicity: Some of the compounds in cannabis might be ototoxic, meaning they are toxic to the inner ear. This can also result in hearing loss and tinnitus.
Using cannabinoids can indeed result in the progression of tinnitus.
According to the research, over 20% of study participants who used cannabinoid materials documented hearing a ringing in their ears.
Before the study, the participants did not experience any signs of tinnitus. Additionally, people who used marijuana were considerably more prone to documenting tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours.
Further studies have indicated that using marijuana may worsen the ringing sensation linked to tinnitus in people who already experience this condition.
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.
First of all, the occurrences of tinnitus symptoms can become more frequent, you may notice the buzzing or ringing in your ears more often.
Additionally, using cannabinoids might intensify your tinnitus episodes, leading to louder and more relentless ringing that can be more difficult to overlook.
Cannabinoids have also been found to lead to the beginning of tinnitus symptoms.
Or, said another way: after you begin using cannabinoids you could develop tinnitus symptoms even if you didn’t notice them before.
It’s still not clear what actually causes tinnitus
While we recognize a connection between tinnitus and certain triggers, we’re still unsure what the actual root causes are.
Cannabinoids might affect the middle ear and tinnitus symptoms, but it still remains uncertain why.
Of course, research will continue to be carried out.
As we get a better sense of how cannabinoids are connected to tinnitus, people will have the knowledge necessary to make an educated decision on which form of cannabinoid to pick.
The solution that’s too good to be real
Cannabinoids have garnered considerable interest and publicity in the market over the past few years.
That’s partially because perceptions are transforming about cannabinoids (and, to a degree, is also an indication of a desire to shift away from opioids).
But this new research makes it clear that cannabinoids can and do give rise to some unfavorable consequences, specifically if you’re concerned about the health of your hearing.
Studies have established a clear connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids.
If you have tinnitus and are concerned about it, it’s best to avoid CBD oils despite the many advertisements marketing their benefits.
It’s worth being cautious when the link between cannabinoids and tinnitus has been so well established.
If you are experiencing tinnitus or hearing loss, don’t wait to schedule a hearing assessment, your hearing health is so important.