Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Symptoms of Ménière’s Disease?

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder caused by an abnormal labyrinth, which is part of the inner ear. This balance disorder leads to a build-up of fluid and can cause vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Ménière’s disease remains somewhat of a mystery to scientists and is diagnosed when a specific set of symptoms cannot be attributed to any other disorder. 

Ménière’s disease is clinically known as idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops, with idiopathic referring to the unknown origin of its symptoms. The discovery of Ménière’s disease comes in two parts; in 1861, Prosper Ménière attributed symptoms of the condition to physical damage within the inner ear. Over 75 years later, researchers discovered what was causing the physical damage - a fluid called endolymph.¹

Ménière’s disease affects an estimated 615,000 people in the United States, with less than 46,000 new cases diagnosed per year. Even though it is a rare disorder, scientists continue to study its origin and treatment methods. Currently, there are more than 15 active registered clinical trials into the condition, including a trial testing the first drug developed solely to treat Ménière’s disease.

What Causes Ménière’s Disease?

Endolymph sends signals to the inner ear and brain that are essential to hearing and balance. While scientists know that an abnormal buildup of endolymph within the inner ear causes the symptoms of Ménière’s disease, they have not identified what causes an increase in this fluid.

There may be some risk factors for Ménière’s disease: 

• Family history of Ménière’s disease
• Inadequate fluid drainage 
• Viral infection
• Unusual immune system activity
• People aged 40-60 are most at risk

Signs & Symptoms of Ménière’s Disease

People who have Ménière’s disease may experience one or more of the following common symptoms:

• Vertigo
• Ringing in the ear (Tinnitus)
• Hearing loss
• Feeling pressure or fullness in one ear

The above symptoms can be signs of many other medical conditions, but Ménière’s disease is only diagnosed when everything else is ruled out. 

Sometimes, the symptoms of Ménière’s disease improve and may even disappear for long periods of time, but Ménière’s disease is a lifelong condition, so they will always return. Healthcare providers recommend reducing stress and consuming less caffeine and sodium to relieve symptoms. 

Although not a symptom of the condition, many people report depression and anxiety as a result of living with the unpredictability of Ménière’s disease.

Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Symptoms of Ménière’s Disease?

Cannabis does not appear to have any effect on the treatment or reversal of Ménière’s disease. In fact, no clinical research seems to exist on the subject. In the absence of studies that explore medical cannabis as it relates to Ménière’s disease, it’s worth considering how cannabis may affect certain symptoms of the condition.

• A 2020 review analyzed four animal studies, two survey studies, and one clinical study to evaluate current research on cannabis and tinnitus. Although the research was considered to be insufficient overall, the review concluded that there is no conclusive evidence to support the use of medical cannabis to alleviate the condition, and in some cases, cannabis appeared to make tinnitus worse.²

• A review study from 2017 notes that cannabinoids and cannabis receptors play an important role in the function of the stomach and intestines. Cannabinoids interact with CB1 and other receptors throughout the brain and gut, modulating symptoms like nausea and vomiting. More specifically, cannabinoid receptors have been found within the dorsal vagal complex, which plays a role in vomiting. Clinical research on synthetic THC pharmaceuticals, Marinol and Drobinol, demonstrate that they are more effective than traditional medications against symptoms of nausea and vomiting among patients with cancer.³

• In a 2021 scientific review, experts looked at possible side effects of cannabis use in 48 clinical studies. Cannabis use was found to be associated with changes in the function of the ear, including tinnitus and vertigo. Altogether, about half of the study results analyzed indicated either increased side effects or no change at all after cannabis use. The reviewed studies were limited by their inconsistent methodologies, small sample sizes, and lack of high-quality evidence, and more research is needed.⁴

• The effects of cannabis use on headaches and migraines were investigated in a 2021 review study. The results of this analysis found that cannabinoids demonstrated great promise in the treatment of migraines and headaches, decreasing pain intensity. Patients also reported long-term improvement in symptoms after regular use of medical cannabis.⁵

When looking at the symptoms of this inner ear disorder, cannabis does not appear to have a significant benefit to someone with Ménière’s disease and may actually be harmful. Although medical cannabis may be able to alleviate nausea and headaches, researchers don’t know if these results would be the same when symptoms stem from Ménière’s disease. Using cannabis when experiencing tinnitus and vertigo may even worsen these symptoms. 

It is unclear whether using cannabis with an inner ear disorder could increase endolymph pressure and cause Ménière’s disease to develop, so it is better to use caution and avoid it. While Ménière’s disease patients sometimes report anxiety and depression, and cannabis may be beneficial in this case, its potential benefits are dose-dependent and may not be replicated in everyone. Using cannabis could increase other negative symptoms of Ménière’s disease, which could lead to worsening depression and anxiety. 

Ménière’s disease is a lifelong condition, so some people may decide that the pros of using medical cannabis may outweigh the possible cons of its effect on the condition. In that case, make sure to consult with a healthcare provider before use. Cannabis has the potential to interact with certain medications and may disproportionately increase drowsiness caused by antihistamines and anti-nausea medicines that are sometimes prescribed for Ménière’s disease.

When it comes to Ménière’s disease, breakthrough treatment is sorely needed. Further research is required in order to illuminate the causes of the condition itself before it’s possible to thoroughly consider whether cannabis could be a potential treatment for Ménière’s disease.

Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation

To determine if your state considers Ménière’s disease to be a qualifying condition for medical cannabis, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.

If you find that your state recognizes Ménière’s disease or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.

How NuggMD Can Help

NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in over half of U.S. states. We’ve connected over 2,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform. 

We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Ménière’s Disease

Does smoking cannabis cause ear pressure that leads to Ménière’s disease?

There is no conclusive research into whether cannabis can cause inner ear pressure. Furthermore, research into medical cannabis and its effects on Ménière’s disease is lacking, and it does not appear to have any potential to treat Ménière’s disease and may worsen some of its symptoms. 

Does a Ménière’s disease cannabis treatment exist?

There are no clinically recommended treatments that include cannabis for Ménière’s disease. Healthcare providers recommend reducing stress when you have Ménière’s disease, which cannabis may help with. Still, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider and be aware of the adverse effects of using cannabis for Ménière’s disease. 

Does CBD make Ménière’s disease worse?

There are no studies on CBD and its effect on Ménière’s disease, so no definitive recommendation can be made. Some studies have shown that cannabis has adverse impacts on certain medical conditions that can be symptoms of Ménière’s disease, like tinnitus and vertigo.⁴

Resources

1. Oberman BS, Patel VA, Cureoglu S, Isildak H. The aetiopathologies of Ménière's disease: a contemporary review. L’eziopatogenesi della Sindrome di Ménière: stato dell’arte. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2017;37(4):250-263. doi:10.14639/0392-100X-793
2. Narwani, Vishal, Alexandra Bourdillon, Keerthana Nalamada, R. Peter Manes, and Douglas M. Hildrew. 2020. “Does Cannabis Alleviate Tinnitus? A Review of the Current Literature.” Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology 5(6): 1147–55. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.479.
3. Goyal H, Singla U, Gupta U, May E. Role of cannabis in digestive disorders. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology. 2017;29(2):135-143. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/meg.0000000000000779
4. Phulka JS, Howlett JW, Hu A. Cannabis related side effects in otolaryngology: A scoping review. Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery. 2021;50(1). doi:10.1186/s40463-021-00538-6
5. Poudel S, Quinonez J, Choudhari J, et al. Medical Cannabis, Headaches, and Migraines: A Review of the Current Literature. Cureus. 2021;13(8):e17407. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.17407

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.