Cannabis Use and Hearing Health

Researcher Taking a Few Cannabis Buds for Scientific Experiment.

The utilization of marijuana is currently legal in many states for medical applications and in several other states for recreational use.

So, what are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are categorized as a group of compounds found in the cannabis or marijuana plant.
Some strongly believe that cannabinoids have extensive healing properties, yet prevailing researches suggest that there might be unfavorable effects, including a substantial link between using cannabinoids and experiencing hearing problems such as hearing loss or tinnitus.

What are the different forms of cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are presently available in a variety of forms and applications.
It’s not merely weed (or ganja, or reefer … ok, there are a bunch of nicknames for marijuana so let’s move ahead).
Cannabinoids are presently available in formats including oils, sprays, capsules, and more.

The forms of cannabinoids available will vary state by state, and under federal law, many types are still illegal if the THC concentration is greater than 0.3%.
So it’s still normal for individuals to be really careful about cannabinoids.

The problem is that the complete extent of the potential risks and consequences related to cannabis use over an extended period is still uncertain.
For example, new findings show how cannabinoids can impact your ability to hear.

Cannabinoids and hearing loss

Cannabinoids are thought to be beneficial for a variety of health issues and medical conditions.
Some research indicate that cannabinoids might alleviate nausea, vertigo, seizures, and other symptoms.
So researchers decided to find out if cannabinoids could assist with tinnitus, too.

Ongoing research indicate that making use of cannabis could have an impact on your auditory health.

  • High Blood Pressure: One of the potential side effects of cannabis use is an increase in blood pressure.
    Sustained high blood pressure can damage 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 of the compounds in cannabis might be ototoxic, meaning they are harmful to the inner ear. This can also result in hearing loss and tinnitus.

Using cannabinoids can certainly lead to the development of tinnitus.
Based on the research, over 20% of study subjects who used cannabinoid materials documented hearing a ringing in their ears.
And, these participants had never experienced tinnitus symptoms before the study. What’s more, marijuana users were 20-times more likely to report having tinnitus symptoms after 24 hours.

Further studies have suggested that using marijuana might worsen the ringing sensation linked to tinnitus in people who already cope with this condition.
In other words, there’s some very strong evidence that tinnitus and cannabinoids don’t really mix all that well.

The possible negative impact of cannabinoids on tinnitus symptoms

Cannabinoids can aggravate your tinnitus in a few specific ways.
To begin with, the occurrences of tinnitus symptoms can become more regular, you may observe the buzzing or ringing in your ears more persistently.
Also, your spells of tinnitus can become more extreme when you’re using cannabinoids. More extreme ringing that can be harder to disregard can be the result.

The onset of tinnitus symptoms has also been connected to cannabinoids.
Or, said another way: after you start employing cannabinoids you could experience tinnitus symptoms even if you didn’t notice them before.

The root cause of tinnitus remains unclear

While we observe a connection between tinnitus and specific triggers, we’re still unsure what the actual root causes are.
Cannabinoids can have an impact on the middle ear and symptoms of tinnitus. But what’s triggering that impact is much less clear.

Clearly, research is ongoing.
People will be equipped to make a practical decision concerning which of the many types of cannabinoids to select from as we acquire deeper understanding into their link to tinnitus.

The miracle cure beware

There’s been no lack of marketing hype surrounding cannabinoids in recent years.
That’s mostly because perceptions are transforming about cannabinoids (and, to a degree, is also a sign of a desire to shift away from opioids).
But this new research makes it clear that cannabinoids can and do produce some unfavorable repercussions, specifically if you’re worried about the health of your hearing.

Research has established a clear link between tinnitus and cannabinoids.
If you have tinnitus and are worried about it, it’s best to steer clear of CBD oils despite the many advertisements promoting their benefits.
With the solid link between cannabinoids and tinnitus, it’s a smart plan to use caution.

Don’t wait to get a professional evaluation if you’re dealing with tinnitus or hearing troubles – prioritizing your auditory health is crucial for your total health.

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.