How is Hearing Health Affected by Cannabis Use?

Researcher Taking a Few Cannabis Buds for Scientific Experiment.

Numerous states now allow the use of marijuana, THC, or cannabinoid materials for medicinal applications, and quite a few states have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes.

Let’s take a look at what characterizes cannabinoids.
A specific group of substances that are found in the marijuana or cannabis plant are referred to as cannabinoids.
Some believe that cannabinoids have extensive healing properties, yet existing studies reveal that there may be unfavorable effects, including a substantial connection between the use of cannabinoids and experiencing hearing troubles including hearing loss or tinnitus.

How many kinds of cannabinoids exist?

Currently, cannabinoids can be taken in many forms.
It isn’t merely weed (or ganja, or reefer … ok, there are a lot of nicknames for marijuana so let’s move on).
Cannabinoids are presently available in forms including oils, sprays, capsules, and more.

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

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

Investigating the connection between cannabinoids and hearing loss

A wide range of ailments and medical conditions are thought to be benefited by cannabinoids.
Some research indicate that cannabinoids might ease nausea, vertigo, seizures, and other symptoms.
Scientists then looked into whether cannabinoids could also offer reprieve for tinnitus sufferers.

Continuing studies suggest that using cannabis could have an effect on your auditory health.

  • High Blood Pressure: One of the possible side effects of cannabis use is an increase in blood pressure.
    Chronic high blood pressure can damage 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 substances found in cannabis may be harmful causing hearing issues and ringing in the ears as a result of their ototoxic properties.

Using cannabinoids can undoubtedly result in the progression of tinnitus.
Research has revealed that more than one in five individuals who used cannabis-based products reported experiencing tinnitus, identified by a persistent ringing sound in the ears.
And, these subjects had never experienced tinnitus symptoms before the study. Additionally, marijuana users were 20-times more likely to document experiencing tinnitus symptoms after 24 hours.

Additional research showed that marijuana use may exacerbate ear-ringing symptoms in people who already deal with tinnitus.
In other words, research reveals that tinnitus and cannabinoids may not be a good combination.

The potential negative impact of cannabinoids on tinnitus symptoms

There are a couple of concrete ways in which cannabinoids can make your tinnitus experience even more difficult.
Initially, episodes of tinnitus symptoms may happen more frequently, and the persistent humming or ringing sound in your ears might become increasingly obvious.
Similarly, your spells of tinnitus can become more extreme when you’re employing cannabinoids. More intense ringing that can be harder to dismiss can be the outcome.

The onset of tinnitus symptoms has also been linked to cannabinoids.
Or, said differently: after you begin employing cannabinoids you could develop tinnitus symptoms even if you didn’t have them before.

It’s still not clear what actually causes tinnitus

Though we recognize the relationship between tinnitus and certain triggers, we have yet to identify the precise governing causes.
Cannabinoids may influence the middle ear and tinnitus symptoms, but it still remains unclear why.

Obviously, research is ongoing.
As we acquire a better sense of how cannabinoids are connected to tinnitus, individuals will have the information necessary to make an educated choice on which type of cannabinoid to choose.

caution:

There’s been no lack of advertising hype surrounding cannabinoids in recent years.
That’s partly because perceptions are changing about cannabinoids (and, to an extent, is also a sign of a need to move away from opioids).
However, new research has shed new light on the potential drawbacks of cannabinoids, especially for people who care about their auditory health, showing that these substances can have adverse effects on hearing.

Tinnitus and cannabinoids are clearly connected based on existing research.
If you have tinnitus and are concerned about it, it’s a good idea to avoid CBD oils despite the numerous advertisements supporting their benefits.
It’s worth being cautious when the link between cannabinoids and tinnitus has been so solidly established.

If you are experiencing tinnitus or hearing loss, you shouldn’t wait to schedule a hearing exam, your hearing health is so important.

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.