How is Hearing Health Affected by Cannabis Use?

Researcher Taking a Few Cannabis Buds for Scientific Experiment.

The use of marijuana is currently legal in a number of states for medical purposes and in numerous other states for recreational use.

So, what are cannabinoids?
A specific group of substances that are found in the marijuana or cannabis plant are known as cannabinoids.
Some believe that cannabinoids have extensive healing qualities, but prevailing researches reveal that there may be unfavorable effects, including a considerable link between using cannabinoids and experiencing hearing troubles such as hearing loss or tinnitus.

How many kinds of cannabinoids exist?

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

Depending on the state, and according to federal laws, different types of cannabinoids will be available, while several varieties remain prohibited if their THC concentration exceeds 0.3%.
So it’s still common for people to be very cautious about cannabinoids.

The problem is that we don’t yet comprehend some of the lasting side effects or consequences of cannabinoid use.
One instance is the new data about how cannabinoids impact your hearing.

Exploring the relationship 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 appear to be helped by cannabinoids, according to some research.
Researchers then investigated whether cannabinoids could also provide relief for people suffering from tinnitus.

While research is continuing, cannabis use could also potentially impact your hearing:

  • High Blood Pressure: Cannabis use can possibly bring about increased blood pressure as one of its side effects.
    Continual 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 of the chemicals in cannabis might be ototoxic, meaning they are harmful to the inner ear. This can also result in hearing loss and tinnitus.

Cannabinoid use can certainly lead to the development of tinnitus.
Research has revealed that more than one in five individuals who ingested cannabis-based materials disclosed experiencing tinnitus, identified by a persisting ringing sound in the ears.
And, these participants had never had tinnitus symptoms before the study. Additionally, marijuana users were 20-times more likely to report having tinnitus symptoms after 24 hours.

Additional research indicated that marijuana use might aggravate ear-ringing symptoms in people who already deal with tinnitus.
Simply put, there’s some really strong evidence that tinnitus and cannabinoids don’t really combine very well.

How cannabinoids worsen tinnitus

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

Cannabinoids have also been found to lead to the onset of tinnitus symptoms.
Or, said differently: after you begin using cannabinoids you could develop tinnitus symptoms even if you didn’t have them before.

It’s still not well understood what actually causes tinnitus

Although we acknowledge the relationship between tinnitus and particular triggers, we have yet to establish the exact governing causes.
Cannabinoids can have an effect on the middle ear and tinnitus symptoms. But what’s triggering that impact is much less obvious.

Of course, research will continue to be conducted.
People will be equipped to make a practical decision regarding which of the many types of cannabinoids to pick from as we get deeper understanding into their connection to tinnitus.

The solution that’s too good to be real

Cannabinoids have garnered considerable attention and publicity in the market over the last few years.
That’s partially because perceptions are transforming about cannabinoids (and, to an extent, is also an indication of a desire to move away from opioids).
But this new research makes it clear that cannabinoids can and do produce some negative repercussions, specifically if you’re concerned about the health of your hearing.

Tinnitus and cannabinoids are unmistakably linked based on present research.
If you have tinnitus and are concerned about it, it’s best to stay away from CBD oils despite the many advertisements marketing their benefits.
It’s worth being careful when the connection between cannabinoids and tinnitus has been so well established.

Don’t wait to get a professional assessment if you’re coping with tinnitus or hearing problems – 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.