CBD continues to hold promise as a treatment for a wide variety of conditions, including pain caused by inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia. The more we learn about CBD, the more we seem to learn about other potential conditions it could treat. One of those conditions that has entered the discussion is CBD for tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing in the ears.
If you struggle with tinnitus or know someone else who does - read on to learn more about studies on CBD for tinnitus and if it’s a good fit for you.
CBD For Tinnitus: Treatment Options
The research about whether CBD for tinnitus as a treatment option is not definitive. A 2020 review of several studies stated that, "there is no compelling data…for the use of cannabinoids to alleviate tinnitus." However, a different 2020 survey found that, since CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, it might be able to treat certain conditions that cause tinnitus.
Both case studies suggest that more overall research is needed to really make a statement about whether or not CBD for tinnitus is a recommended treatment option.
About CBD and How It Can Be Used
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is a cannabinoid found in cannabis. Unlike THC, another cannabinoid found in cannabis, CBD can't get you high. The lack of psychoactive effects combined with its potential to treat a variety of medical conditions has helped fuel the popularity behind CBD products.
You can find CBD in several different varieties, including:
- Full-spectrum CBD, which contains all naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the original strain, including trace amounts of THC
- CBD isolate, which has been processed to only contain CBD and no other cannabinoids. This is ideal for those who want to take CBD but need to pass drug tests that check for THC.
How Can I Use CBD?
There are several popular methods to use CBD. There isn't a "best" way, so you should pick the method that fits your preferences (or your budget).
Oils or Tinctures
Oils or tinctures are a popular choice for using CBD. Since most oils and tinctures come with a dropper with milliliters measured out, it's easy to adjust your dosage or stick to a consistent dosage.
Edibles
Edibles are a popular choice because of their convenience and taste. Many consumers don't like the taste of oils or tinctures, and CBD-infused candies can mask the taste entirely. Gummies also come in measured doses, so it's easy to keep track of how much CBD you've consumed.
For example, Alchemy Naturals' THC-free gummies come in either 25mg or 50mg doses. Since each gummy has a set amount of CBD, it makes it easy for beginners and experienced CBD users to keep track of their dosing.
Figure 1 bottle of CBD gummies in hand
Vape Cartridges
Pre-filled vape cartridges are an easy, convenient way to get a quick puff of CBD. Since you're vaping, the effects of CBD will hit faster, though they won't last as long.
Dry Herb Vaping
Finally, you can buy hemp and use it in a dry herb vaporizer. This is a very cost-effective way to use CBD, since there is far less processing than oils or edibles. However, it can be difficult to dose with vaping since you aren't using precise measurements. If you vape hemp, it will always be full spectrum, which may not be an option for those who need to avoid THC.
How Do You Use CBD For Tinnitus?
Since research is unclear about whether CBD can actually treat tinnitus, there's no way to know what specific kind of CBD would work best. Regardless of what form of CBD you might try, be sure to follow some best practices for using CBD.
Start with Small Doses
First time CBD users often ask, "How much CBD should I take?" It depends! We recommend first-time users start with small doses and work their way up until they find a comfortable dose. This is important if you plan on taking CBD throughout the day, since one of the common side-effects of CBD is drowsiness and fatigue.
Try Different Strains
Hemp comes in sativa and indica varieties (along with different blends of terpenes), and different strains impact people in different ways. We often get asked, "How does CBD make you feel?" by beginners, but the only way to know for sure is to try it! You may need to try a couple different blends before you find a CBD product that provides the effect you want.
Figure 3 bottle of full spectrum CBD gummies for stress
If you are at a complete loss of where to start, many brands (including Alchemy Naturals) create different blends targeted to different experiences. Some are geared towards helping you sleep, while other blends are intended for use during the day. While this isn't a guarantee that a CBD product will hit you in a specific way, it's a great place to start if you're new to CBD.
Why Is Everyone Talking About CBD & Wellness?
There are several reasons that it feels like CBD "suddenly" became popular. Those reasons include the change in legal status of hemp, a push to look for alternatives to pain management, and new research that shows the versatility of CBD.
2018 Farm Bill
What kicked off CBD becoming popular was the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. In short, the bill made hemp legally distinct from marijuana, making it federally legal. The CBD used in oils, edibles, and tinctures is derived from hemp, since it has naturally high concentrations of CBD.
When hemp was made federally legal, this opened the door for CBD products to flood the market. As long as a product has less than 0.03% THC, it can be legally sold anywhere in the United States.
Alternative Pain Management
Drug manufacturers started to get in trouble for fueling the opioid crisis in the early 2000's. As the public became more aware of the dangers of using opioids, many started to look for alternatives for pain management. Around the time that the opioid crisis was getting serious national attention, new research regarding CBD started to become public.
Figure 2 bottle of full spectrum CBD gummies for pain relief
In particular, promising research was published that CBD could help treat pain caused by inflammation. Since there's no evidence to suggest that regular, long-term use of CBD causes serious side-effects, it quickly became popular as an alternative pain-management tool.
Versatility of CBD
Not only has research suggested that CBD could be used to manage pain, but it also shows CBD could be used to treat a variety of other conditions. For example, a 2021 study suggests that CBD can be used to help relieve stress, treat anxiety, and help treat sleep problems.
CBD also lacks many of the side-effects of medication that is traditionally used to treat stress, anxiety, or sleep problems, and it doesn't require a prescription. Since research suggests that CBD can treat a variety of conditions, that means there's a huge swathe of people who look to CBD for all kinds of reasons.
Tips On Finding Quality CBD for Tinnitus
CBD is not currently regulated by the FDA, so you have to be extra careful when you shop. Less reputable CBD brands may lie about filler ingredients. They may also advertise a CBD isolate product that actually contains traces of other cannabinoids, like THC. To be sure you find a quality CBD product, here are a few tips you should follow:
Look for Independent Lab Testing
Reputable brands will provide access to lab tests that prove what is inside their CBD product. Lab tests help to prove that CBD isolate products truly only contain CBD, and the tests will also give an inside look into what cannabinoids make up their full-spectrum products.
For example, Alchemy Naturals keeps a public record of all lab testing for our CBD products. Only third-party labs are used, which means the labs are not on-site and the published results are authentic.
Review the CBD Source
Trustworthy brands are upfront about where their hemp is grown. If you are considering a brand that doesn't tell you where it gets its hemp or CBD, that should raise red flags. They may be using low-quality hemp or being dishonest about what is actually in their CBD products.
All of the CBD products from Alchemy Naturals are sourced from hemp grown in Oregon
Study Reviews
Finally, study product reviews! This is a good rule of thumb for any product you're thinking about buying, and it holds true for CBD products. High-quality brands will have consistently high reviews, both from customers and reviewer sites.
If you can't find reviews for the CBD product you're about to buy, you should consider buying from a more reputable brand.
CBD For Tinnitus: Safety Concerns
Yes! While we don't know if CBD is particularly effective in treating tinnitus, CBD is very safe to use. It's rare for CBD to cause serious side-effects when taken as recommended, but they are possible. Some of those negative side-effects include:
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Diarrhea and other symptoms of gastric distress
- Dry mouth
Most of these side-effects can be avoided by taking small doses of CBD and working your way up to a comfortable level. However, if you want to try using CBD but are concerned about the side-effects, you should talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have. This is especially important if you're taking other prescription medications, like blood thinners.
Final Thoughts of CBD for Tinnitus
If you have tinnitus, trying CBD to help alleviate symptoms isn't a bad idea. However, keep in mind that there isn't any evidence that CBD is effective, and how effective a CBD treatment is will likely be based on what the underlying cause of your tinnitus is. If it's inflammation related, CBD might help. If it's due to old age, wax buildup, or inner ear damage, CBD might not.
If you want to try using CBD for tinnitus, you'll want to buy from a trustworthy brand that is upfront about where their hemp comes from, honest about the ingredients in their products, and transparent with their lab testing. This is especially important if you need to avoid THC, since lab testing is the only way to verify that there is not THC present.
You may also be considering using CBD to treat chronic pain, sleep problems, or anxiety issues. If so, you’re in luck! Research strongly suggests that CBD is effective in treating these conditions, though you should still do your research and buy from a reputable brand.
Not sure where to start shopping? Then start here! Our CBD products are sourced from organically grown hemp sourced from Oregon, and we keep a comprehensive catalog of our product lab reports.
Reach out to Alchemy Naturals if you have any specific questions about CBD or our products, and happy shopping!
