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Researcher examining leaves of cannabinoids that have been linked to tinnitus.

Public opinion surrounding marijuana and cannabinoids has transformed remarkably over the past several decades. Cannabinoids, marijuana, and THC products are now allowed for medical usage in many states. Far fewer states have legalized pot for recreational reasons, but even that would have been unthinkable even just ten or fifteen years ago.

Any substances produced by the cannabis plant (the marijuana plant, essentially) are known as cannabinoids. And we’re still discovering new things about cannabis in spite of the fact that it’s recently been legalized in several states. We frequently view these particular compounds as having widespread healing qualities. There have been conflicting studies about cannabinoids and tinnitus but research suggests there may also be negative effects like a strong connection between cannabinoid use and the development of tinnitus symptoms.

Various forms of cannabinoids

There are numerous forms of cannabinoids that can be consumed today. It isn’t just pot or weed or whatever name you want to give it. Other forms can include topical spreads, edibles, inhaled vapors, pills, and others.

The forms of cannabinoids available will vary state by state, and most of those forms are still technically federally illegal if the amount of THC is above 0.3%. That’s why most individuals tend to be quite careful about 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 studies into how cannabinoids impact your hearing are perfect examples.

Research into cannabinoids and hearing

Whatever you want to call it, cannabinoids have long been linked with helping a wide range of medical disorders. Seizures, vertigo, nausea, and more seem to be helped with cannabinoids, according to anecdotally available evidence. So researchers made a decision to see if cannabinoids could help with tinnitus, too.

Turns out, cannabinoids may actually trigger tinnitus. According to the research, over 20% of study participants who used cannabinoid products documented hearing a ringing in their ears. And that’s in people who had never experienced tinnitus before. And tinnitus symptoms within 24 hours of consumption were 20-times more likely with marijuana users.

And for those who already cope with ringing in the ears, using marijuana would actually exacerbate the symptoms. So, it would appear, from this persuasive evidence, that the link between cannabinoids and tinnitus is not a positive one.

The research is unclear as to how the cannabinoids were consumed but it should be pointed out that smoking has also been linked to tinnitus symptoms.

Unknown causes of tinnitus

The discovery of this connection doesn’t reveal the underlying cause of the relationship. It’s quite clear that cannabinoids have an impact on the middle ear. But what’s producing that impact is a lot less evident.

There’s bound to be more research. Cannabinoids today are available in so many selections and types that comprehending the fundamental link between these substances and tinnitus could help people make smarter choices.

Don’t fall for miracle cures

Recently, there has been a great deal of marketing publicity surrounding cannabinoids. That’s in part because mindsets about cannabinoids are rapidly changing (this also shows a growing wish to get away from opioid use). But some negative effects can result from cannabinoid use, particularly with regards to your hearing and this is reflected in this new research.

You’ll never be capable of avoiding all of the cannabinoid enthusiasts and devotees in the world–the marketing for cannabinoids has been especially intense lately.

But this research undeniably suggests a powerful link between tinnitus and cannabinoids. So no matter how many ads for CBD oil you see, you should avoid cannabinoids if you’re worried about tinnitus. It’s not exactly clear what the link between tinnitus and cannabinoids so exercise some caution.

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855477/
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aaohnsf/82180

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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