Tinnitus is a medical condition that affects millions of Americans. It manifests as persistent ringing in the ears that is not caused by external factors. While scientists are yet to discover a cure for this ailment, many people believe that cannabidiol (CBD) may hold the answer to their troubles.
CBD is already well-known in the wellness industry as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. You can find thousands of CBD products on the market, ranging from CBD health supplements to pain relief topicals and oils.
Numerous tinnitus sufferers believe this natural compound can offer them the relief they seek. They hope using CBD will help them reduce the side effects of this condition, such as depression, anxiety-related insomnia, and stress.
Join us as we explore how effective CBD products are in treating hearing disorders and what you can do to dampen the constant ringing in your ears.
CBD as a Tinnitus Relief Option
Let’s begin by explaining why tinnitus sufferers think CBD can help them deal with their condition.
This chemical compound present in the cannabis plant works by interacting with our endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid receptors. So far, we have discovered two types of these receptors — CB1 and CB2.
Some of these receptors are located in the brain and may affect hearing. Consequently, many conclude that medical-grade CBD oil can lessen ear sounds and help with hearing disorders like tinnitus.
The endocannabinoid system itself is responsible for regulating several bodily functions, including sleep, appetite, and mood.
CBD can affect your endocannabinoid system to promote relaxation and offer other beneficial qualities like alleviating pain and helping you fall asleep. For example, cannabinoid drugs are said to be effective for sleep disorders and chronic pain.
Additionally, many CBD users report that it helps them deal with stress and anxiety. As tinnitus patients frequently seek stress relief, they often turn to medical marijuana and industrial hemp for help.
The results of a 2015 study published in Neurotherapeutics show promise in using CBD oil for stress, as the researchers state they have “found that existing preclinical evidence strongly supports CBD as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder when administered acutely.”
Is Taking CBD for Tinnitus Legal?
Many people confuse CBD with THC, but these two substances are miles apart from each other.
While CBD is a close cousin of THC — the active chemical responsible for the feeling of high experienced by marijuana users — it is non-intoxicating. Furthermore, it usually comes from hemp plants, while THC is typically derived from marijuana plants, which are abundant in this compound.
Another significant difference is in how these substances are viewed by law.
The Agriculture Improvement Act, passed by Congress in 2018, removed CBD from the Controlled Substances Act. Since then, CBD has been federally legal to use.
On the other hand, THC is still considered a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
So, whether you opt for a full-spectrum CBD oil or broad-spectrum CBD tincture, you can use your high-quality product without suffering repercussions from the law.
That said, you should be wary of CBD side effects (e.g., dry mouth, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, drowsiness) and potential drug interactions. For example, CBD negatively interacts with blood thinners like Warfarin.
Moreover, it is worth noting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate CBD products on the commercial market. The only FDA-approved drug containing CBD is Epidiolex, which is used to treat two rare forms of epilepsy.
Research on Tinnitus and CBD
The available evidence of CBD’s effectiveness in helping tinnitus patients is fairly limited and comes with mixed results.
A 2015 study on lab rats shows that a combination of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) and cannabidiol may worsen tinnitus instead of reducing its symptoms. Researchers using CBD to treat lab rats enhanced their acoustic trauma. It puts CBD’s effectiveness in question.
However, it is worth pointing out that worsening rats’ tinnitus symptoms do not necessarily imply the same outcome in humans. For instance, a 2020 literature review suggests that more human studies are needed to place the verdict on this issue.
The best application of CBD oil may be reducing stress and other side effects of tinnitus. For instance, CBD has already shown promise in dealing with anxiety-related insomnia. It could serve as a replacement for currently used antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications, such as Xanax, amitriptyline, and nortriptyline.
The Bottom Line
The evidence in favor of using CBD oil to address hearing disorders is still inconclusive. Yet, many people report positive feedback when using this compound to soothe their tinnitus.
If you want to use CBD oil to improve your hearing, seek out a reliable audiologist. They will answer your concerns and help you choose the best course of action. Finding good medical care is the first step toward managing your healthcare.
On top of that, remember to take good care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and avoid drugs and alcohol. This way, you can improve your all-around wellness and live a long and healthy life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CBD eliminate tinnitus?
No, CBD cannot eliminate tinnitus. However, some evidence suggests it might be effective in reducing its symptoms.
What is the most effective treatment for tinnitus?
The most effective remedy for tinnitus differs on a case-by-case basis. Usually, your doctor will suggest a combination of various methods that you can use, including drug treatment, noise-suppression machines, and hearing aids with tinnitus-masking features.
What is the fastest way to cure tinnitus?
Unfortunately, there is no tangible way to cure tinnitus. Your best bet remains to explore tinnitus relief options, such as hearing aids, customized or modified sound machines, behavioral therapy, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), and Progressive Tinnitus Management.
How do you calm severe tinnitus?
If you suffer from tinnitus, you can try calming it using a white noise machine. It will mask the noise and provide some relief. Alternatively, you can use relaxation techniques, meditate, or play soft music or low-volume radio static in the background.
Taking CBD might also help. Nonetheless, before falling back on the therapeutic properties of the hemp plant, it is best to ask a healthcare professional if this kind of treatment will work for you.
Is there any real relief for tinnitus?
Many people find that using sound therapy combined with Cochlear implants and counseling helps slow down further hearing loss and combat other symptoms.
Besides, you could enhance your therapy with CBD products made from cannabis or hemp plants.
That said, always consult a medical specialist before settling on the course of action. It will prevent you from making tinnitus worse and help you receive adequate treatment.
Is there a cure for tinnitus?
Whether you deal with acoustic trauma-induced tinnitus or other forms of this illness, there is currently no remedy for your troubles. Nonetheless, you can ease the symptoms by using CBD oil, trying out various relaxation techniques, and exploring other treatment methods.
What is the best vitamin for tinnitus?
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in tinnitus sufferers. Additionally, early research suggests supplementing Vitamin B12 might help people with chronic tinnitus.
Still, more research is needed to confirm those findings.
How do I train my brain to stop tinnitus?
To lessen the impact of tinnitus and live your best life, you could sign up for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), implement sound therapy into your everyday routine, and join support groups.
Another thing that might help is taking a high-quality CBD product. When you consume CBD, it will interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors in your brain, potentially easing up the symptoms.
What is the best natural treatment for tinnitus?
Popular alternative treatments for tinnitus include Gingko Biloba, acupuncture, zinc, and CBD supplements.
Nevertheless, the evidence of their effectiveness is mixed. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the same method that helped others will also work for you.
Because of that, talking to your doctor about your treatment is vital. They will consider various factors, such as the severity of your symptoms and other health conditions you may have, and advise you on what you should do to improve your well-being and health.
Why does my tinnitus stop when I press my neck?
Sometimes, people with tinnitus notice that the sound stops for a while if they apply gentle pressure on the side of the neck. In that case, the most probable explanation of their condition is that they have pulsatile tinnitus.
This tinnitus type is unique in that it includes a constant, pulse-synchronous sound. The underlying cause of this condition is usually venous sinus stenosis. However, it can also be caused by another venous sinus, such as a dehiscent jugular plate or diverticulum.
Either way, if you notice tinnitus symptoms, you should contact a healthcare professional to receive a thorough evaluation and treatment plan.
What foods to avoid if you have tinnitus?
To prevent your tinnitus symptoms from worsening, you should avoid the following:
- coffee,
- alcohol,
- salt,
- foods high in saturated fats,
- sugary sweets.
Which antihistamine is best for tinnitus?
Antihistamines can dry out your sinuses, helping you deal with tinnitus symptoms. Some of the most frequently used antihistamines include chlorpheniramine, meclizine, and terfenadine.
Why has no one cured tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a very complex issue that usually is the sign of a much more severe problem. Audiologists treat it more as a symptom of another health issue rather than a separate condition.
Furthermore, tinnitus has multiple possible causes that can be challenging to find. Hearing loss, inner ear infections, earwax touching the eardrums, exposure to loud noise, as well as head and neck injuries are only a few examples of things that can cause this ailment.