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 usage.

So, what are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are categorized as a group of compounds found in the cannabis or marijuana plant.
Some individuals strongly believe that cannabinoids have extensive healing qualities, however prevailing studies suggest that there might be unfavorable impacts, including a considerable link between the use of cannabinoids and experiencing hearing troubles like hearing loss or tinnitus.

How many types of cannabinoids are there?

Currently, cannabinoids can be employed in many forms.
Beyond its many colloquialisms, such as weed, ganja, or reefer, marijuana has more comprehensive value that exceeds its nicknames.
Cannabinoids are now available in forms consisting of oils, sprays, capsules, and more.

Depending on the state, and according to federal regulations, different types of cannabinoids will be available, while several varieties are still restricted if their THC concentration exceeds 0.3%.
So it’s not uncommon for individuals to remain quite cautious of cannabinoids.

The problem is that the full extent of the possible risks and consequences associated with cannabis use over an extended time period remains not clear.
One example is the new data about how cannabinoids affect your hearing.

Exploring the connection between cannabinoids and hearing loss

A wide range of health problems and medical conditions are thought to be benefited by cannabinoids.
Seizures, nausea, vertigo, and more seem to be helped by cannabinoids, according to some research.
So scientists decided to find out if cannabinoids could help with tinnitus, too.

Ongoing research indicate that using cannabis could have an effect on your auditory health.

  • High Blood Pressure: One of the potential side effects of using cannabis is an increase in blood pressure.
    Persistent high blood pressure has the potential to damage blood vessels in various parts of the body, including those within the inner ear. Consequently, this damage can cause hearing impairment and the sensation of ringing in the ears known as tinnitus.
  • Ototoxicity: Some of the compounds in cannabis might be ototoxic, meaning they are toxic to the inner ear. This can also lead to hearing loss and tinnitus.

Yes, tinnitus can be induced by cannabinoid use.
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 had tinnitus symptoms before the study. What’s more, marijuana users were 20-times more likely to document having tinnitus symptoms after 24 hours.

Additional studies have suggested that using marijuana might intensify the ringing sensation linked to tinnitus in individuals who already experience this condition.
Simply put, research indicates that tinnitus and cannabinoids might not be a good combination.

How cannabinoids make tinnitus worse

There are a couple of tangible ways in which cannabinoids can make your tinnitus experience even more difficult.
To begin with, the incidents of tinnitus symptoms can become more regular, you may observe the buzzing or ringing in your ears more often.
Similarly, your bouts of tinnitus can become more extreme when you’re using cannabinoids. More intense ringing that can be harder to dismiss can be the outcome.

Cannabinoids have also been shown to bring about the onset of tinnitus symptoms.
Or, said differently: after you start employing cannabinoids you could experience tinnitus symptoms even if you didn’t have them before.

The underlying cause of tinnitus remains unclear

While we acknowledge a connection between tinnitus and certain triggers, we’re still uncertain what the actual root causes are.
Cannabinoids can have an impact on the middle ear and tinnitus symptoms. But what’s triggering that impact is far less obvious.

Obviously, research is ongoing.
As we gain a better sense of how cannabinoids are linked to tinnitus, people will have the information necessary to make an educated choice on which form of cannabinoid to choose.

The solution that’s too good to be real

There’s been no lack of advertising hype surrounding cannabinoids in recent years.
A major factor is the shifting public opinion pertaining to cannabinoids, which also echoes an increasing interest in exploring alternatives to opioids.
However, new research has illuminated the potential downsides of cannabinoids, especially for people who value their hearing health, revealing that these compounds can have adverse impacts on hearing.

Studies have established a clear connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids.
So no matter how much marketing you see for CBD oils, if you’re concerned about tinnitus, you should probably stay away from them.
It’s worth being careful when the link between cannabinoids and tinnitus has been so solidly established.

Don’t hesitate to get a professional assessment if you’re coping with tinnitus or hearing difficulties – prioritizing your auditory health is crucial for your overall 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.