People who experience tinnitus in Lake Charles have limited options for treatment. There is no cure for that persistent ringing in the ears, so most individuals rely on coping strategies to help mask their symptoms. New evidence shows that marijuana might help those who suffer from tinnitus.
Cannabinoid Therapy for Tinnitus Sufferers
Tinnitus is one of the most common health complaints in the United States. It affects approximately 15 percent of Lake Charles residents to some degree. It’s not a disease but a symptom of an underlying condition; with a long list of possible causes, doctors aren’t always able to determine the reason for a patient’s tinnitus.
Symptoms vary widely from person to person. Most individuals report a ringing in the ears, but others describe clicking, roaring, whooshing, whistling and hissing noises. Tinnitus may be a minor, intermittent nuisance to some and a full-fledged distraction to others. It can negatively impact many aspects of a person’s daily life, causing stress and anxiety; interfering with sleep; affecting work performance and more. A long-term solution has so far proven elusive.
A new study offers hope for the estimated 50 million Americans who deal with tinnitus. The saving grace might just be medical marijuana.
Not The Same As Weed
More research is necessary in order to fully measure its effects, but cannabis is gaining widespread acceptance as the public becomes aware of its benefits. Cannabidiol (CBD) is non-psychoactive and doesn’t produce a high; the FDA has already approved its use in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is also increasingly viewed as having medicinal properties that can benefit those suffering from serious health disorders. Still, some THC users report adverse side effects ranging from disorientation and somnolence to concentration and memory problems, leading many to view CBD as the safer of the two.
The study, authored by Dr. Dennis Colucci and published in the August 2019 issue of The Hearing Journal, shows that cannabinoid therapy proves beneficial to certain tinnitus sufferers by providing relief from both the symptoms and the underlying condition responsible for them. In some cases, the effects of medical marijuana are felt even after discontinuing treatment, though some ringing is likely to continue for most patients.
Dr. Colucci is quick to note that significant studies are still required to fully measure the effects, efficacy and safety of cannabis before it is green-lit as a treatment option for tinnitus, including additional investigation into the benefits of cannabis in the treatment of tinnitus and hyperacusis with comorbid sleep deprivation.
It’s important to keep in mind that there are still many unknowns when it comes to cannabis use, not to mention varying state and federal regulations. While future tinnitus treatments might very well include medical marijuana, for now your best bet is to talk with an audiologist in Lake Charles to learn more about safe and effective management strategies for tinnitus.