{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/tinnitus/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2613-markdown","title":"Top 5 Senior Conditions That Can Be Treated With Cannabis","slug":"top-5-senior-conditions-that-can-be-treated-with-cannabis","content":"In our golden years, we hope for a stress-free retirement, time to spend with family and maybe even a few adventures here and there. But what many of us also have to contend with is the potential for health problems. As we age, certain physical ailments seem to crop up—failing eyesight, stiff joints, and increased aches and pains. \n\nNormally, senior citizens are prescribed a host of pharmaceuticals to ease pain from varying conditions. But one treatment that mature Americans are increasingly seeking out is medicinal cannabis. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, [cannabis consumption in people aged 55–64 rose from 1.1% to 6.1% from 2002–2014](https://www.livescience.com/57504-why-more-older-americans-smoking-marijuana.html), making them one of the fastest-growing groups of cannabis consumers.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nBut can marijuana really help with health conditions faced by seniors? The compounds in the cannabis plant, cannabinoids, bind to our endocannabinoid receptor system (ECS). [The ECS is extensive, with receptors in nearly every part of the body](https://hellomd.com/articles/is-your-endocannabinoid-system-in-balance) including the pelvic area, gut and brain. That’s why cannabis can treat such a range of conditions in a variety of areas—the effective compounds in the plant can reach so many places because of its interaction with the ECS. \n\nSo, let’s see how medical marijuana can help combat the health conditions that become more prevalent as we age.\n\n### 1. Cannabis Can Ease the Pain of Glaucoma\n\nStudies as far back as the 1970s show that [cannabis eases interocular pressure](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/468444). This pressure buildup is a result of fluid not draining properly from the eye and is one of the most painful glaucoma symptoms.  \n\n[The American Glaucoma Society is cautious yet hopeful about using medicinal cannabis to treat glaucoma](http://www.americanglaucomasociety.net/patients/position_statements/marijuana_glaucoma)  and related eye problems. There’s some new research suggesting cannabinoid receptors are present in eye tissue—so the possibility exists for marijuana to target the actual eyeball, not just the pressure around it. There are also trials testing cannabis’s neuroprotective properties, with the thinking that marijuana could have a positive effect on optic nerves. \n\nMost patients suffering from vision issues smoke or vape marijuana, but researchers and anecdotal evidence report that interocular pressure is only relieved for short amounts of time—when the marijuana’s effects wear off, so do the benefits for people suffering from glaucoma. Apparently, a cannabis eye drop is in the works, but not available yet. So along with other therapies, cannabis edibles or tinctures high in cannabidiol (CBD) are advised because their effects last longer than vaping or smoking does. \n\n### 2. Arthritis Sufferers Say Marijuana Relaxes Joints & Muscles\n\nArthritis is an umbrella term for a variety of joint disorders that can result in mild stiffness to deformity. Traditional arthritis therapies like cortisone injections and opioids can carry serious side effects like nerve damage and breathing difficulties, respectively. \n\nSince CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, marijuana strains and products that are rich in this cannabinoid seem to work well for people with arthritis. Some arthritis sufferers smoke or vape cannabis while some choose tinctures or sublinguals as a smoke-free consumption method. But [many opt for marijuana topicals as a way to treat a specific area](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-soothes-arthritis-pain). Plus, since cannabis used on the skin typically doesn’t reach the bloodstream (with the exception of transdermal patches), psychoactive effects are highly unlikely. \n\n### 3. Topical Cannabis Is An Effective Way to Treat Shingles\n\nShingles results from a dormant virus, the same that causes chicken pox, that reactivates later in life. It’s usually characterized by a painful rash or blisters that typically show up on the torso, but can also affect the arms, face and chest. Besides the unsightly rash, the pain from the virus is what most sufferers remember about the condition—and nerve pain may linger for months or even years after the rash disappears.\n\nFor pain, many people reach for a fast-acting vape pen. Vaping cannabis, like smoking, results in near immediate effects. Still, [many folks with shingles like to apply a topical marijuana product right on the affected areas](https://hellomd.com/articles/marijuana-and-shingles). A high-CBD salve, balm or oil can provide localized relief, quelling pain and decreasing inflammation. \n\n### 4. Cannabis’s Neuroprotective Properties Can Combat Dementia\n\nMemory problems are part of many people’s aging journey. On one side of the spectrum is forgetting where you put your keys, but on the other side are serious conditions like ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Alzheimer’s and dementia. \n\nIn Alzheimer’s disease, proteins are thought to block the space between the brain cells that are responsible for memory. A 2016 study showed that the cannabinoid [tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has the power to clear those proteins from the brain](https://www.salk.edu/news-release/cannabinoids-remove-plaque-forming-alzheimers-proteins-from-brain-cells/). THC has also been shown to help with appetite, sleep and anxiety—symptoms that are also experienced by dementia patients. \n\nRELATED: [CANNABIS COUNSELING: HELPING DEMENTIA & CANCER PATIENTS FIND RELIEF](https://hellomd.com/articles/medical-cannabis-counseling-helping-dementia-and-cancer-patients-find-relief)\n\nAs far as cannabis products for dementia go, it really depends on personal preference. For more mental clarity, an uplifting sativa like [Jack Herer](https://hellomd.com/strains/jack-herer) would be a good option for daytime consumption. At nighttime, an ideal strain might be [Bubba Kush](https://hellomd.com/strains/bubba-kush). Bubba Kush is an indica strain that’s said to aid in relaxation and sleep, and it’s also reported to stimulate appetite—a problem some Alzheimer’s patients suffer from. \n\nIf vaping or smoking isn’t a desired consumption method, try sublinguals. Most people feel the effects of sublinguals in as little as 10–15 minutes. Edibles might also be a good option as they’re smoke-free, and the effects last longer than other cannabis consumption methods. \n\n### 5. For Tinnitus & Hearing Issues, Turn to Marijuana\n\nTinnitus patients suffer from persistent ringing, hissing or buzzing in their ears. Throughout history, doctors thought that tinnitus was a result of something wrong with the ear, but now researchers are confident that it’s actually caused by the brain—or a breakdown in how the brain interprets signals sent by the ear. \n\nResearch on the brain’s plasticity—its ability to change and learn to react to new stimuli—shows that it’s influenced by the ECS. An animal study from 2009 found that the [brain’s circuits that break down with a tinnitus diagnosis are positively influenced by the ECS](http://www.pnas.org/content/108/18/7601), giving people hope that cannabis can be a viable therapy for hearing issues. \n\nBesides easing tinnitus symptoms, cannabis has the potential to help those with hearing issues relax as well as ease related symptoms like insomnia, depression and irritability. Because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, tinctures or cannabis flower that are high in CBD are a good place to start.\n\nAs we get on in years, we don’t have to accept poor health as a given. Ask your doctor if cannabis can be part of a holistic way to treat any health condition you’re confronting later in life—so you can have those adventures you dreamed of no matter what your age.  \n\nPhoto credit: [Lotte Meijer](https://unsplash.com/@lottemeijerfotografie)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's private, easy and 100% online.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/14b42/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/f836f/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 200w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/2244e/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 400w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/14b42/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 800w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/47498/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 1200w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/0e329/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 1600w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/80bea/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 3954w","srcWebp":"/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/58556/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/61e93/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 200w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/1f5c5/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 400w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/58556/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 800w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/99238/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 1200w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/7c22d/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 1600w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/6ef45/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 3954w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2008-markdown","title":"Get Started with Cannabis: A Comprehensive Overview of Medical Marijuana","slug":"get-started-with-cannabis-a-comprehensive-overview-of-medical-marijuana","content":" You’ve finally decided to take the plunge and try medical cannabis. Perhaps you’ve received your [medical marijuana recommendation](www.hellomd.com),  but are wondering “Now what?” Patients are often confused and many do not know where to start. \n\nWe recently chatted with Brant Hindman, resident Patient Guide with [Herba Buena](http://herbabuena.com/), regarding his advice for new cannabis patients. Herba Buena is a California medical cannabis collective which \"creates artisan-crafted products for solution-based medicine\". [Brant and founder Alicia Rose](http://herbabuena.com/our-story/) interact with patients through their monthly [Social Clubs](http://herbabuena.com/the-social-club/) where members receive personalized consultations in a group setting. Social clubs allow for a tasting experience of Herba Buena's product line so each person finds the medicinal marijuana that is right for them. \n\nWe always suggest speaking to your doctor or a trusted advisor at a reputable dispensary or collective before ingesting medicinal marijuana for the first time. Below is some advice on how to obtain the right medical marijuana for you.\n\n**Find a Reputable Dispensary**\n\nIt's important to start with a reputable and knowledgeable dispensary. A reputable dispensary will do lab testing, which is important in the largely unregulated cannabis marketplace. Lab testing will check for pesticides, molds, fungus, and Ecoli among other substances that may negatively impact your health.\n\nA knowledgeable dispensary will also have people on staff capable of giving good advice. Brant says:\n\n>“In my experience, I do not believe that most people who advise in dispensaries take the time to really listen and give personalized advice to the patients who walk through the door. Finding the right dispensary should be like finding a trusted advisor. Call around, ask your friends, see who you get a good feeling from before you go in.  Go to the place that is going to take the time to listen to your questions and give you good answers that’s personalized to your specific needs. It’s also important to find a dispensary that carries a wide variety of medicinal marijuana, as not everyone can or wants to smoke to receive the effects of this amazing plant.”\n\n**Communicate Your Medical History & Symptoms**\n\nOnce you find the right dispensary, it’s important to clearly communicate your medical history (if necessary) and define the symptoms you are trying to treat. Are you looking for something to help with chronic pain, an anti-inflammatory or are you struggling with insomnia? If you have cancer are you trying to quell nausea or trying to eat more?\n\nTalk with a reputable ‘bud master’, the patient advisor within a dispensary, or doctor if available. A good advisor should be able to recommend an appropriate medicinal marijuana product for your condition. On this point, Brant says:\n\n>“When a new patient comes to us, we want understand symptoms they are experiencing, and what exactly they are trying to treat. We like to know as much as we can about their unique personal circumstance. How sensitive is their endocannabinoid system?  Have they had any bad experiences with medicinal marijuana before? What are their preferred or prescriptive methods of ingesting cannabis? We need to understand their medical history, as well as their symptoms, so the recommendations that are made are a pairing of both the most recent scientific research and the best organic medicine that can be found/created.” \n\n**Your Reaction to Cannabis is Unique**\n\nPeople respond to cannabis in different ways. Some people are more sensitive to THC, the psychoactive component within cannabis. Other people are less sensitive and can tolerate larger doses.  Before selecting a medicine, it is important to think about whether you are comfortable with the ‘high’ you may feel with a medicine that is THC-heavy. Some people prefer to ingest products that have zero psycho-activity.\n\n>“As an advisor, I strive to understand what experience the patient may be comfortable with. We always suggest that people new to marijuana start with an elixir (sublingual tincture) and then perhaps later they can move to a vaporizer, which is going to deliver more of a punch. We know that everyone has different sensitivity to cannabis and how his or her unique system reacts with cannabis will be different to the next person. The molecules from cannabis work differently in each person’s brain, so the result is not always consistent from person to person.”\n\n**Understand Cannabinoids and Their Effect** \n\nCannabinoids are what make the cannabis plant so unique. The two most prevalent cannabinoids in the marijuana plant are THC and CBD. THC is what makes marijuana psychoactive. CBD (cannabidiol) has been found to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, and it is not psychoactive. There are upwards of 100 cannabinoids within the cannabis plant, but CBD and THC are the biggest stars. \n\nWhat’s interesting about cannabinoids is that they all work together to provide a synergistic effect within the body’s endocannibinoid system.  Cannabinoids work together to create stability and optimal health within our body. Some refer to cannabis as an adaptagenic medicine due to its ability to balance the body’s internal system. \n\nWhen you ingest cannabinoids they travel through the body and end up in your brain, binding to one or both CB1 and CB2 receptors. Depending on which receptor the cannabinoid prefers, it will alter the kind of relief you may feel. Both CBD and THC work together to create a balanced system, in conjunction with the myriad of other cannabinoids. This is what is referred to as the ‘entourage’ effect, meaning that the different cannabinoids work together to produce an overall effect.\n\nDepending on your symptoms, you may want more THC or more CBD. To this point, Brant commented:\n\n>“If someone has cancer they may want to have a medicine that is higher in THC. There are studies that show [THC can target some types of cancerous tumors](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55f4574a3366380006540000/government-cancer-study-shows-cannabis-kills-cancer-cells). It is also a well known treatment for the nausea associated with chemotherapy.  [CBD is also being used as a treatment for some types of cancer](https://www.projectcbd.org/cancer) due to its ability to attach to cancer cells, causing them to destroy themselves. Ultimately, finding the right forms and ratios of CBD to THC is important in the treatment of your condition.  \n\n>If a person has insomnia, they may think about a higher THC ratio. Personally, I’d recommend a product such as our low dosed [‘Lullaby’](http://herbabuena.com/product/lullaby-nighttime-cannabis-elixir/) which  is functionally dosed to be effective, yet does not leave any hangover effects the next day.  CBD, is just a wonder drug.  It can drastically reduce the amount of seizures people with epilepsy experience. CBD helps people from a pain and inflammation standpoint, people with arthritis and fibromyalgia and anecdotally, it has even shown promise as a treatment for some skin cancers as well.” \n\n**Look at Ratio of CBD to THC – It Matters**\n\nCBD is non-psychoactive and THC is psychoactive, and almost all products are a combination of these cannabinoids. Flowers or strains, will always display a percentage of THC to CBD. For the most part, dispensaries almost exclusively sell flowers that are THC-heavy. Other medicinal products such as tinctures, drinks and edibles will present products with a ratio in milligrams of THC to CBD. \n\nIf you are looking for a non-psychoactive product you will look for a high ratio of CBD to THC. Conversely, if you are OK with psycho-activity you will seek a product that either has an equal ratio or one where the THC is higher than the CBD. Brant commented: \n>“Sometimes people can feel anxious or paranoid with too much THC. CBD counteracts and is an antidote to THC. It does not lower the level of THC in your body but the THC becomes less impactful as a psychoactive. The CBD can actually ground you and your nervous system. Understanding the ratio of THC to CBD in your product will help you better understand the overall effect you may experience with the cannabis you ingest.”\n\n**You Don’t Need to Smoke Your Medicine-Necessarily**\n\nBrant says “People are often shocked that they don’t need to smoke flowers in order to imbibe with their medicine. [There is an enormous amount of choice](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55b7e6426264330006310000/methods-of-administering-medical-marijuana) in the market today and all kinds of products a patient can choose from.” Among the myriad of choices are edibles-both food and drink, tinctures, sublingual (under the tongue) sprays, pills, topicals, among others. Some forms of medical cannabis are faster acting, such as smoking and sublinguals. [Edibles](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55f44cbb33663800064d0000/essentials-about-edibles-that-you-need-to-know) can take as long as an hour to take effect, but can also last longer, sometimes up to 3-6 hours. When considering different types of medicine, consider that not all dispensaries offer a wide choice of products. In fact many dispensaries will only offer flowers (bud) for sale.\n\n**Microdose Your Medicine**\n\nBrant says his approach to dosage, is always to proceed with caution in the beginning. “At Herba Buena we are very big on micro dosing, or taking small doses at first until you find the right dosage for you.” As every person reacts differently to both CBD and THC, it is wise to start with a smaller amount and slowly ramp up to larger dosages. Brant says:\n\n>“Over time, finding your tolerance to THC is very important. When you start with a new product, start small. If it is a vaporizer, take a tiny puff and wait 15 minutes. Taking a one second puff is radically different from taking three or four puffs. If you are new to cannabis, you may suddenly find that you are extremely uncomfortable for a good stretch of time. It’s important to know what effect you ultimately want. We always suggest that first time users start with our elixirs (tinctures) as they have very small amounts of THC, so a person can work up from there.”\n\nAlthough cannabis products often come with recommended dosages, it is highly dependent on the person as well as that particular batch of medicine. The percentage of THC and CBD can vary from strain to strain, crop to crop and batch to batch. Lab testing has shown that not all products are accurately labeled. In addition, the FDA does not currently regulate cannabis products. Brant gives the following advice:\n\n>“Edibles are a great example of where microdosing is imperative.  A typical dose may be 85 mg but often a person will not tolerate more than 10mg. It can take up to an hour for an edible to take effect so often people will eat too much of a chocolate bar for instance, and then feel terrible for a 3 to 6 hour time period. Read the label, use caution and start small.”\n\n**Organic vs. Industrial Farming**\n\nAccording to Brant, it is important to know how your cannabis is grown. He says:\n\n>“Outdoor, organic farming creates a full flower medicine, which also equals healthier medicinal marijuana overall. The stars and the soil and the air are integrated systems, which help in the creation of that superior medicine. This is opposed to an industrial setting in an artificial environment, artificial lighting and hydroponics. Ultimately, this is a laboratory creation made on top of concrete.”\n\nThere is no doubt that non-organic, industrial farming sometimes relies on the use of pesticides and other dubious chemicals to produce larger more visually appealing buds. Brant says:\n\n>“Often non-organic flowers sell better because they actually look better. It is analogous to a body building competition. Before the competition the body builder will use more steroids, spray tan and artificially pump themselves up before going on display. This is the same with cannabis flowers for sale. We live in the age of Frankin-Weed. All of this can be avoided, by finding the right collective to join and trusted advisors to guide you along your way.” \n\n**Do Your Homework**\n\nIn summary, doing your homework and proceeding with caution will most likely result in finding the best medicinal marijuana for you.  Seek out a trusted advisor, whether that is your primary care doctor, a medical cannabis doctor, a naturopath or a reputable dispensary with a knowledgeable bud master. Taking the time to find the right medicinal marijuana for your symptoms can often give excellent results and be a pleasurable rather than confusing experience.\n\nIf you are interested in attending one of [Herba Buena’s Social Club](http://herbabuena.com/the-social-club/) events in the San Francisco Bay Area, [become a member](http://herbabuena.com/the-collective/membership-application/) of the collective. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/ee604/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.png","srcSet":"/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/69585/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.png 200w,\n/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/497c6/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.png 400w,\n/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/ee604/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.png 800w,\n/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/f3583/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.png 1200w,\n/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/f90fa/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/58556/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/61e93/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.webp 200w,\n/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/1f5c5/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.webp 400w,\n/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/58556/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.webp 800w,\n/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/99238/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.webp 1200w,\n/static/6288c614ce32cdaa67777c207901c230/5e0b8/8cf1582f55fcc601be0b5d5817cca422.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1852-markdown","title":"Lasting Relief From Tinnitus With Medical Marijuana","slug":"lasting-relief-from-tinnitus-with-medical-marijuana","content":"Tinnitus is a persistent noise or ringing in the ears which may be\r\ndescribed as a sensation similar to buzzing, whistling, chirping,\r\nclicking, and other sounds. The noise in the ear may come in short\r\nbursts or it may be prolonged, varying in length of time with each\r\nindividual. Each person will experience tinnitus in a unique way. The\r\nintensity of the sound will range from a low, barely audible hum only\r\ndiscernible when there is minimal background noise, to a loud sound\r\nquite distinct from other noise. In some cases, tinnitus sounds in sync\r\nwith the rhythm of heart beats, and is referred to as pulsatile\r\ntinnitus.\r\n\r\nHow Common is Tinnitus?\r\n-----------------------\r\n\r\nAccording to a [report](http://hearinghealthfoundation.org/85) by the\r\nHearing Health Foundation, as many as 50 million Americans suffer from\r\ntinnitus, with about 16 million of them seeking medical attention due to\r\nthe discomfort from the condition. Tinnitus can lead to hearing loss in\r\n90 percent of the cases, especially in debilitating cases that interfere\r\nwith daily activities.\r\n[Statistics](http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/pages/quick.aspx)\r\nfrom the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication\r\nDisorders (NIDCD) estimates that about 10 percent of the entire adult\r\npopulation in the United States has experienced tinnitus lasting up to\r\nfive minutes within the past year.\r\n\r\nWhat's the Cause of Tinnitus?\r\n-----------------------------\r\n\r\nThe ear is made up of three parts. The inner ear interprets sound waves,\r\ntranslates them to nerve messages, and sends them to the brain. The most\r\ncommon cause of tinnitus is prolonged exposure to very loud sounds,\r\nwhich leads to permanent damage to sound-sensitive cells located in the\r\ncochlea, an organ located within the inner ear. Other causes of tinnitus\r\ninclude the use of certain prescription medication, ear infection, neck\r\nand head injuries, allergies, thyroid issues, and cardiovascular\r\ndisease. Complications from tinnitus include anxiety, insomnia,\r\ndepression, and irritability, which respond favorably to the\r\ncannabidiols that are found in medical marijuana.\r\n\r\nWhat are the Effects of Tinnitus?\r\n---------------------------------\r\n\r\nLoud, persistent tinnitus makes life unbearable for those afflicted with\r\nthis condition, and they are often irritable and fatigued, restless, or\r\ndepressed. In cases where tinnitus is loud enough, the person suffering\r\nfrom the condition finds it difficult to hear properly, since the\r\nbuzzing within their ear tends to dominate other normal auditory\r\nreception.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_/?hl=en) \r\n\r\n\r\nMedical marijuana may help in the management of tinnitus, as suggested\r\nby a [2009 study](http://www.pnas.org/content/108/18/7601) by a leading\r\ntinnitus researcher. The study showed that auditory circuits in the\r\nbrain are involved in tinnitus, and an auditory imbalance causes the\r\nconstant ringing in the ears.The study involved the use of mice with\r\ntinnitus and demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system that controls\r\nbrain elasticity will react favorably with medical marijuana, providing\r\nrelief from tinnitus. Some the conditions that cause tinnitus may be\r\nmanaged with medical marijuana and complications arising from tinnitus\r\ncan also be eased with the use of medical marijuana.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/65977087@N00/3911558890)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/9de26a7e522be3e167ff283f35432e44/14b42/9e7257b7246298e016ece999085d5c2b.jpg","srcSet":"/static/9de26a7e522be3e167ff283f35432e44/f836f/9e7257b7246298e016ece999085d5c2b.jpg 200w,\n/static/9de26a7e522be3e167ff283f35432e44/2244e/9e7257b7246298e016ece999085d5c2b.jpg 400w,\n/static/9de26a7e522be3e167ff283f35432e44/14b42/9e7257b7246298e016ece999085d5c2b.jpg 800w,\n/static/9de26a7e522be3e167ff283f35432e44/16310/9e7257b7246298e016ece999085d5c2b.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/9de26a7e522be3e167ff283f35432e44/58556/9e7257b7246298e016ece999085d5c2b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/9de26a7e522be3e167ff283f35432e44/61e93/9e7257b7246298e016ece999085d5c2b.webp 200w,\n/static/9de26a7e522be3e167ff283f35432e44/1f5c5/9e7257b7246298e016ece999085d5c2b.webp 400w,\n/static/9de26a7e522be3e167ff283f35432e44/58556/9e7257b7246298e016ece999085d5c2b.webp 800w,\n/static/9de26a7e522be3e167ff283f35432e44/cc834/9e7257b7246298e016ece999085d5c2b.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5844,"name":"Tinnitus","slug":"tinnitus","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}