Tinnitus and CBD: Will it Help?

There is no evidence that CBD products can treat tinnitus. However, CBD can treat symptoms and suppress tinnitus precursors. This article discusses how CBD can suppress the causes of tinnitus and treat symptoms associated with the hearing-condition.

Cannabidiol is one of the numerous natural compounds obtained from the hemp plant's leaves, buds, and seeds. Notably, hemp and marijuana are strains of the cannabis plant. The Hemp plant is incredibly similar to marijuana, although it contains lower levels of the psychoactive chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); THC is responsible for the high effect associated with marijuana. In contrast, CBD does have euphoric effects after consumption. CBD products exist in various forms, including but not limited to oils, tinctures, gummies, and sprays. Anecdotal results show that CBD products can treat multiple health conditions. In this article, we explore how CBD can be used to alleviate tinnitus by suppressing its causes.

Is CBD Oil the Same as Hemp Oil?

There are significant chemical differences between hemp oil and CBD oil. CrispimMassuela, et.al, (2020), stated that hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the cannabis plant. It contains components like the fatty acids, but lacks CBD. In contrast, CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant's stalks, leaves, and flowers where CBD concentrations are high. Hence, the hemp oil has limited health effects compared to the CBD oil.

How does CBD work?

Crocq (2022) explained CBD interacts with the body's ECS system; the system contains CB1 or CB2 receptors that allow CBD compounds to bind and alter irregular body functions. Notably, the ECS system regulates body functions like hearing, digestion, and mood. It produces substances known as endocannabinoids, which are chemically comparable to the cannabinoids present in CBD. While the mechanisms that underlie CBD's interaction with the ECS are not fully understood, the interaction restores balance in the body, relieving the user from various disorders (Pellati et al., 2018). Ideally, ECS receptors have distinct binding mechanisms for CBD and THC; products that contain full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD are more likely to be beneficial than CBD isolate.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a medical condition characterized by ringing sounds in the ears. The unconventional sounds originate internally rather than from the environment. Although it is prevalent amongst people of advanced age, the condition can affect anyone. The intensity of tinnitus can range from mild to severe; the constant buzzing, roaring, or ringing sound can be quite distressing for some people. De Ridder et al. (2021) stated that tinnitus indicates an underlying health condition. Possible causes include regular exposure to loud sounds, high cholesterol, ear wax, head or neck injuries, stress, and depression.

How is Tinnitus Treated?

Managing tinnitus symptoms typically include addressing the underlying cause of the condition. Your doctor would suggest cleaning up your ear canals and discontinuing any drugs that could aggravate your tinnitus. Certain medications like tricyclic antidepressants can help reduce the severity of sounds coming from the ears. Unluckily, it is not always easy to determine what is causing the ringing in the ears. If your physician cannot determine the origin of your tinnitus or if the therapies intended to address the underlying cause are ineffective, you may need to learn how to manage your tinnitus by using a white noise machine to drown out problematic noises. In extreme cases, you may need a cochlear implant.

Can CBD Help with Tinnitus?

While, studies are inconclusive on CBD’s treatment for tinnitus, a fair amount of data shows that CBD's anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties might help treat hearing loss and tinnitus. Similarly, CBD might help with associated symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety s, and stress (Evans, 2020).

Is CBD Safe to Use for Tinnitus?

CBD is generally considered safe. However, CBD may negatively interact with other drugs to manage tinnitus symptoms. Improper consumption of CBD could also lead to nausea, dry mouth, and diarrhea. In addition, FDA does not regulate CBD products; the administration cannot guarantee the safety and effectiveness of existing drugs in the cannabis market. Users should seek medical advice before adopting certain CBD products for tinnitus.

Which Type of CBD is Best for Tinnitus?

There is no evidence that CBD can assist with tinnitus; nevertheless, studies show that CBD oil has greater bioavailability; it can create effects throughout the body. Similarly, full-spectrum products can have an entourage effect that might alleviate tinnitus symptoms.

How Can You find Quality CBD products?

The following criteria can be used to evaluate the overall quality of a CBD product:

Look for Third-party Testing

It should verify that the information on the label concerning the amount of CBD and THC present is accurate. It will also give an accurate account of the heavy metal analysis and other contaminants.

Scan the Ingredients List

Products made from hemp seed oil only have minute quantities of CBD in them. Choose organic components as they have limited contaminants.

Confirm the Cannabis Source

Be sure that the company you purchase from is honest about the location of the hemp farms and the procedures used in the production process.

Conclusion

CBD products do not have specific potency for tinnitus. However, existing studies show that CBD can alleviate precursors of the conditions, ranging from stress, depression, anxiety, and inflammation. Notably, it might be complex to locate the specific causes of tinnitus. Therefore, the full-spectrum CBD is ideal for locating a wider range of body imbalances that could lead to tinnitus. The existence of multiple CBD products in the market exposes consumers to low-quality products that could lead to adverse side effects. Therefore, users should purchase CBD products from reputable brands to avoid adverse side effects.

References

CrispimMassuela, D., Hartung, J., Munz, S., Erpenbach, F., &Graeff-Hönninger, S. (2022).             Impact of harvest time and pruning technique on total cbd concentration and yield of             medicinal cannabis. Plants, 11(1), 140.

Crocq, M. A. (2022). History of cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. Dialogues in clinical             neuroscience.

De Ridder, D., Schlee, W., Vanneste, S., Londero, A., Weisz, N., Kleinjung, T., ... &Langguth,     B. (2021). Tinnitus and tinnitus disorder: Theoretical and operational definitions (an             international multidisciplinary proposal). Progress in brain research, 260, 1-25.

Evans, J. (2020). The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Explore The World of Cannabidiol. In Google Books. Fair Winds Press. https://books.google.co.ke/books?

Pellati, F., Borgonetti, V., Brighenti, V., Biagi, M., Benvenuti, S., &Corsi, L. (2018). Cannabis             sativa L. and nonpsychoactive cannabinoids: their chemistry and role against oxidative             stress, inflammation, and cancer. BioMed research international, 2018.