Do you suffer from strange and irritating sounds that no one else can hear? Well, you are not alone because you belong to the 50 million Tinnitus sufferers in America alone. Many people have started using CBD oil for Tinnitus. But can CBD treat Tinnitus?
Recent studies have shown that CBD oil effectively reduces Tinnitus, though you should remember that these are preliminary studies. The effectiveness of CBD in treating Tinnitus is also backed by the anecdotes of CBD users who have experienced recovery.
Today, let’s find out all about Tinnitus and the effectiveness of CBD oil for Tinnitus.
What is Tinnitus and its Symptoms?
Tinnitus is a condition when you hear sounds or noises in the ear that are not caused by external sources. While this condition is more common in older adults, it is also common among people of other age groups. As a result of Tinnitus, people may hear the following –
- Buzzing
- Ringing
- Roaring
- Clicking
- Hissing
- Swooshing
- Whistling
These sounds may differ in pitch, and while some patients hear the sound in one ear, others hear it in both ears. However, since it is not caused by an external source, others usually cannot hear this annoying sound. There are two types of Tinnitus –
- Subjective Tinnitus: When the noise is audible only to the patient and no one else, it’s called Subjective Tinnitus. The majority of the cases are subjective.
- Objective Tinnitus: If the noise can be detected by others, as the doctor, along with the patient, it’s Objective Tinnitus. There are only a few rare cases of it.
What’s interesting is that Tinnitus is not recognized as a medical condition itself. Instead, it is believed to be the symptom of some other disease. This brings us to the question – what causes Tinnitus?
The causes of Tinnitus may include neurological, auditory, circulatory, psychological, somatic, and other problems. These include the following –
- Age-induced hearing loss
- High blood pressure
- Muscle spasms in the middle ear
- Ear damage
- Prolonged exposure to loud sounds
- High cholesterol
- Blood flow issues
- Ear wax
- Ear infections
- Certain drugs
- Injury in the neck or head
- Meniere’s disease
- Temporomandibular joint disorders
- Ear or auditory nerve tumors
- Perilymphatic fistulas
- Musculoskeletal movement problems
- Blood vessel issues
- Stress and anxiety
- Depression
- Physical stress, etc.
Tinnitus may lead to a set of other accompanying symptoms that affect your quality of life. Some of these accompanying symptoms include the following –
- Difficulty in focusing
- Headache
- Irritability
- Disturbed sleep
- High sensitivity to sounds
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Ear pain
- Memory problems
How Tinnitus is Usually Treated?
There is no particular course of treatment for Tinnitus that’s scientifically validated. So, doctors try to follow treatments that tackle the cause of Tinnitus and provide medications that reduce the severity of Tinnitus and its associated symptoms.
It starts with diagnosing the cause of Tinnitus through various tests like a hearing exam, lab test, imaging test, and movement exam. They also try to find out from patients what kind of sound they hear. Accordingly, they offer medicines or treatment steps to reduce the condition.
One of the leading solutions to Tinnitus problems is addressing the underlying condition. It may be neurological, psychological, somatic, etc. Other treatment options to tackle Tinnitus include –
- Earwax removal
- Hearing aids
- Medications
- Tinnitus retraining therapy
- Counseling
- Noise masking devices
- White noise machines
- Alternative medicine
It is essential to note that medicines and other forms of treatment do not cure Tinnitus completely. They simply reduce its intensity and make the sounds you hear less noticeable. They also build your ability to bear these sounds.
Research on CBD Oil for Tinnitus
Since Tinnitus does not have a defined treatment course, many people move to CBD for it. There are preliminary studies that suggest CBD oil may help manage Tinnitus and its causes and effects. Let’s understand what medical research has so far explained about this.
Scientists believe that our brain has two cannabinoid receptors in the brain, CB1, and CB2, that respond to CBD. Interestingly, studies show that these receptors also have a role in hearing. Thus, it can be deduced that CBD oil might help hearing problems like Tinnitus.
However, in 2015, a study to treat lab rats did not produce promising results. Another study in the same year on the effects of CBD on anxiety-induced conditions like OCD, PTSD, or SAD produced mixed results. But eventually, more studies emerged to suggest otherwise.
A study in 2020 mentioned that CBD could offer neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory impacts. This led to the deduction that CBD may help with hearing loss and Tinnitus. Of course, further studies are required to derive conclusive proof that CBD can cure Tinnitus.
Studies also suggest that CBD effectively deals with insomnia, stress, anxiety, and more. There are other reports that discuss at length about the benefits of CBD, including one produced by the World Health Organization or WHO.
Does CBD Oil Cure Tinnitus? Will It Really Help?
Emerging studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD can have a positive impact on a variety of health conditions. It interacts with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) of the body, which is responsible for maintaining many bodily functions. CBD can activate the ECS.
Thus, CBD may help treat some of the underlying conditions causing Tinnitus. Additionally, it is effective at handling mental health conditions like anxiety, stress, and depression. These conditions are both the causes and effects of Tinnitus. That’s not all, though.
CBD is also helpful with various types of anxiety disorders. Thus, CBD is believed to be impactful in tackling psychological reasons behind and results of Tinnitus. It can also effectively manage sleeplessness, concentration issues, irritability, and other conditions.
Thus, a large number of people suffering from Tinnitus have started taking CBD as an alternative treatment option. Users vouch that CBD can help reduce anxiety and depression, induce sleep and relaxation, offer a mood-lifting impact, and enhance focus.
There are many CBD oil brands out there that specifically formulate tinctures to address these conditions. They can have a calming effect on your mind and body and ensure that you are able to cope with daily stress and dejection, maintaining a positive balance in life.
CBD is also known for its pain-management effects. Many people suffer from ear pain, headaches, etc., as a result of Tinnitus. So, if you, too, face the same issues, you can choose the best CBD oil for pain to get rid of ear pain and headaches resulting from Tinnitus.
It is important to note that CBD may cause a few side effects. These are usually mild and temporary. Some of the side effects of CBD include dry mouth, sleepiness, change in appetite, digestive problems, dizziness, and more, especially if you are a new user.
You should also note that CBD may interact with other drugs. You may already be under medication for the health conditions that are behind your Tinnitus. So it is essential for you to consult your physician to eliminate the possibilities of drug interaction and ensure a safe experience.
CBD oil brands have less than 0.3% THC level, which ensures that you do not experience psychoactive effects like paranoia or ecstasy. If you want to eliminate THC completely, you can choose a Broad Spectrum or CBD Isolate variety instead of a Full Spectrum tincture.
If you are using CBD for the first time, it is essential to start at a low dosage, like 20 mg a day, and gradually increase the amount of intake. This will help you monitor how your body reacts to the product and how CBD gradually reduces the severity of Tinnitus.
Things to Consider While Buying CBD Oil
Many CBD oil brands are available today – and it can be a little confusing to choose the right product as there’s no organization to regulate CBD products. They may provide cannabis products and promise magic. But CBD oil is not some elixir with instant results.
At the time of buying CBD oil for Tinnitus, consider the following factors –
Source of CBD
Remember that the Farm Bill 2018 legalizes the growth of hemp plants. So, any CBD product you buy must contain plant extracts from hemp plants. So, don’t pick cannabis products. Always look for a product that maintains transparency regarding the plant source.
You should also look for details regarding the farming standards. This will not just ensure that you get a high-quality product that contains the properties of hemp plant extracts. It will also prove that the production process doesn’t harm the growers or the environment.
Third-Party Testing
Quality analysis is a crucial part of ensuring that the CBD product you buy is of high quality with no harmful chemicals or additives. Many brands will simply write “lab tested” on their package or website. That’s not where your search should end while making your purchase.
Always look for the report itself, which should be available on the site or when you request the brand for it. You should also make sure that the report is provided by a third-party lab to ensure that it has been tested independently and the reports are authentic.
Ingredients
Always check the ingredients list while purchasing CBD oil. A good-quality CBD tincture should contain pure hemp plant extracts in a healthy oil as the carrier, like olive oil, MCT oil, hemp seed oil, etc. But make sure that the product contains extracts from the aerial plant parts.
Only hemp seed oil is not effective enough. Also, ensure that there are no harmful additives for flavoring or coloring. The list of ingredients should also give you an idea of the tetrahydrocannabinol or THC content in the oil. It should not be more than 0.3%.
Reviews
Always read the reviews provided by customers to know more about the CBD product you’re eyeing. This will help you know about the experiences of other users and give you an idea of what you’re getting into, what kind of impact you can expect from the tincture, etc.
Reading reviews helps you understand a CBD tincture and its brand properly. It may open your eyes to aspects that are unknown to you, like possible side effects, the presence of allergens, and more. It might also help you choose the ideal dosage, flavor, etc.
Final Words
A good CBD oil for Tinnitus will likely address several conditions. You can choose the best CBD oil for stress, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, concentration, pain, etc. When you get an all-around impact, you may experience freedom from Tinnitus’ life-altering effects.
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