What is tinnitus?
You may have heard that cannabidiol (CBD) can help with a variety of conditions, such as insomnia, chronic pain, tinnitus, and anxiety. Some people even claim that it helps with tinnitus.
But does the research really support this? Read on to find out.
Tinnitus is when people hear tinnitus or other noises in their ears that are not caused by an external source. It is more common in older people, but it can happen to anyone.
Although tinnitus varies in severity, for some people the constant buzzing, roaring or ringing can be distressing.
Tinnitus is considered a symptom rather than a normal condition. Possible reasons:
-age-related hearing loss
-regular exposure to loud sounds
-high blood pressure
-high cholesterol -middle ear muscle spasms
-too much earwax
-damage to the middle or inner ear
-medicines including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), some antibiotics, -cancer drugs and diuretics
-head and neck injuries
-temporomandibular joint disorders
-Meniere’s disease
-tumors of the ear or auditory nerve
How is tinnitus usually treated?
CBD for tinnitus?
Treatment for tinnitus usually involves treating the underlying cause.
Your doctor may recommend removing excess earwax and stopping medications that can cause tinnitus. Some medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants, can help suppress tinnitus.
Unfortunately, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of tinnitus. If your doctor can’t find the cause of your tinnitus, or if treatment for the underlying cause isn’t working, you may need to manage your tinnitus by blocking out the irritating sounds with a white noise machine.
If tinnitus is caused by hearing loss, hearing aids or a cochlear implant may help.
What is CBD?
CBD oil is a cannabinoid from the hemp plant that won’t get you “high” like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) does. There are three different forms of CBD:
-isolate
-full spectrum
-a wide range of
Both full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD contain other cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes from the hemp plant. Full-spectrum CBD also contains small amounts of THC (less than 0.3 percent for federally legal products). CBD isolate is pure CBD.
However, it is important to recognize that any CBD product, regardless of type, may contain traces of THC and may show up in a drug test.
You can buy CBD in different forms, such as gummies, oils, capsules, creams, and lotions.
Is CBD oil the same as hemp seed oil?
Both are not the same. Hemp seed oil contains only small amounts of CBD. CBD is mostly found in the stems, leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant.
Unfortunately, some brands mislabel hemp oil products as containing CBD—sometimes by mistake, sometimes on purpose.
By looking at the ingredients list and Certificate of Analysis (COA), you’ll know exactly what you’re buying. If you want a CBD product, search for terms like:
-cannabidiol
-full spectrum cannabis
-Hemp oil
How does CBD work?
We all have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), which consists of endocannabinoid receptors throughout the body. Your body has two main endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. It also produces molecules called endocannabinoids, which are similar to the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.
Why does your body make them? Experts don’t quite know everything there is to know about ECS yet. However, it will likely help keep your internal systems running smoothly.
When endocannabinoids bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors, it causes effects depending on the location of the receptors. For example, the endocannabinoids your body produces can bind to receptors on your immune cells to let your body know it’s experiencing inflammation.
When endocannabinoids do their job, enzymes break them down.
Again, experts don’t really know the exact mechanisms of how CBD interacts with the ECS. However, they do know that CBD binds differently to CB1 and CB2 receptors compared to THC – possibly preventing the breakdown of endocannabinoids.
Experts also suspect that CBD produces more noticeable effects when paired with THC. This is why full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products are more beneficial than those containing CBD isolate. This is known as the environment effect.
Can CBD help treat tinnitus?
CBD for tinnitus? CBD studies on tinnitus are mixed.
in 2015 an animal study showed that the combination of CBD and THC can actually make tinnitus worse.
In the latest 2020 a research review concluded that there is insufficient evidence from animal or human studies to support that cannabinoids can help reduce tinnitus.
However, in the next 2020 the review states that CBD has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, which may help with hearing loss and tinnitus. However, more research is needed, especially human studies.
And while CBD may not cure tinnitus, it can help with side effects like anxiety-related insomnia and stress.
Is CBD safe to use for tinnitus?
According to the World Health Organization, CBD is generally safe for most people and is unlikely to cause side effects.
Possible side effects:
-weight loss or gain
-diarrhea
-fatigue
-Although you will probably only ever experience mild side effects, it is important to consult your doctor before trying CBD, especially if you are taking any medications. CBD can interact with some medications.
Also, it is important to know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate CBD products. While the FDA lays down the law when it comes to companies making false claims and engaging in fraud, the administration does not guarantee that all over-the-counter CBD products are safe and effective.
You will need to do your research to make sure you are buying a high quality product.
Which type of CBD is best for tinnitus?
There is no evidence that CBD can help with tinnitus, but if you want to try it, we recommend going with the oil because of its greater bioavailability and ability to cause a whole-body effect.
Also, choose a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum product to get the most out of the ambient effect.
