Cannabis Use and Hearing Health

Researcher Taking a Few Cannabis Buds for Scientific Experiment.

Many states now permit the utilization of marijuana, THC, or cannabinoid compounds for medicinal purposes and quite a few states have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes.

Let’s take a look at what defines cannabinoids.
A particular group of substances that are found in the marijuana or cannabis plant are known as cannabinoids.
Some individuals strongly believe that cannabinoids have extensive healing properties, but existing studies reveal that there might be negative impacts, including a substantial connection between using cannabinoids and experiencing hearing problems such as hearing loss or tinnitus.

How many kinds of cannabinoids exist?

At present, cannabinoids can be taken in many forms.
Beyond its many nicknames, including weed, ganja, or reefer, marijuana has more comprehensive significance that exceeds its nicknames.
Cannabinoids are presently available in formats consisting of oils, sprays, capsules, and more.

The types of cannabinoids available will vary state to state, and under federal law, many types are still illegal if the THC concentration is greater than 0.3%.
So it’s not unusual for people to remain quite cautious of cannabinoids.

The issue is that we don’t yet grasp some of the lasting side effects or consequences of cannabinoid use.
For instance, new findings demonstrate how cannabinoids can impact your hearing ability.

Exploring the connection between cannabinoids and hearing loss

Cannabinoids are believed to be beneficial for a wide range of health issues and medical ailments.
Some research indicate that cannabinoids may alleviate nausea, vertigo, seizures, and other symptoms.
Scientists then looked into whether cannabinoids might also offer relief for people suffering from tinnitus.

While studies are ongoing, cannabis use could also potentially affect your hearing:

  • High Blood Pressure: Cannabis use can possibly lead to raised blood pressure as one of its side effects.
    Prolonged high blood pressure has the potential to damage blood vessels in various regions of the body, including those within the inner ear. Consequently, this damage can lead to hearing impairment and the feeling of ringing in the ears known as tinnitus.
  • Ototoxicity: Some of the chemicals in cannabis may be ototoxic, meaning they are harmful to the inner ear. This can also result in hearing loss and tinnitus.

Yes, tinnitus can be triggered by cannabinoid use.
Studies have shown that more than one out of five people who ingested cannabis-based materials reported experiencing tinnitus, identified by a persisting ringing sound in the ears.
And, these subjects 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.

Added research showed that marijuana use might aggravate ear-ringing symptoms in individuals who already cope with tinnitus.
Put simply, there’s some really solid evidence that tinnitus and cannabinoids don’t really combine all that well.

How cannabinoids make tinnitus worse

Cannabinoids can intensify your tinnitus in a few concrete ways.
Initially, incidents of tinnitus symptoms may happen more often, and the persistent buzzing or ringing sound in your ears may become increasingly obvious.
Additionally, employing cannabinoids might aggravate your tinnitus episodes, leading to louder and more persistent ringing that can be more difficult to overlook.

The onset of tinnitus symptoms has also been linked to cannabinoids.
In other words, beginning to employ cannabinoids might lead to the inception of tinnitus symptoms, even if you did not experience them before.

It’s still not clear what actually causes tinnitus

While we recognize a relationship between tinnitus and certain triggers, we’re still uncertain what the actual root causes are.
Cannabinoids might affect the middle ear and tinnitus symptoms, but it’s still uncertain why.

Obviously, research will continue to be conducted.
People will be equipped to make a practical choice concerning which of the many types of cannabinoids to choose from as we obtain deeper insight into their connection to tinnitus.

The treatment that’s too good to be real

Cannabinoids have garnered significant interest and publicity in the market over the last several years.
That’s partly because opinions are changing about cannabinoids (and, to a degree, is also a sign of a desire to shift away from opioids).
But this new research makes it evident that cannabinoids can and do produce some unfavorable repercussions, particularly if you’re worried about the health of your hearing.

Studies have established a clear connection between tinnitus and cannabinoids.
So no matter how much advertising you see for CBD oils, if you’re concerned about tinnitus, you should probably steer clear of them.
With the strong connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus, it’s a smart plan to use caution.

Don’t hesitate to get a professional assessment if you’re coping with tinnitus or hearing difficulties – prioritizing your auditory well-being 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.

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