Compare the Best CBD for Vertigo in 2022

How CBD May Help With Vertigo

The ear part that helps with one’s balance is known as the vestibular system⁽¹⁾. Vertigo (feeling of severe dizziness) is a symptom of a vestibular balance disorder⁽²⁾. 

Although various vestibular disorders have no known cure, some anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD (cannabidiol) may manage some symptoms, including vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), loss of balance, sleep disturbance, and anxiety⁽³⁾.  

CBD and other cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are active compounds of cannabis (sometimes called marijuana). They work with the human body’s ECS (endocannabinoid system) to maintain homeostasis⁽⁴⁾.

Homeostasis is a process by which living organisms maintain stability while adjusting to environmental conditions⁽⁵⁾. 

The ECS regulates various bodily functions, including learning, memory, sleep, emotional processing, temperature and pain control, inflammatory and immune responses, and appetite. The system comprises cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2)⁽⁶⁾. 

CB1 receptors are involved in nociceptive pain⁽⁷⁾. On the other hand, CB2 may regulate inflammation⁽⁸⁾.

Nociceptive pain refers to pain triggered by damage to the body tissue. 

The human body naturally produces endocannabinoids that keep the ECS healthy⁽⁹⁾. 

If there is a deficiency of endocannabinoids in the body, plant-based cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC, may mimic the endocannabinoid’s action. However, their effects may vary⁽¹⁰⁾.  

THC produces a euphoric high, while CBD does not⁽¹¹⁾. CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties⁽¹²⁾. Thus, this non-psychoactive compound may help with inflammation of the inner ear. 

Inflammation of the inner ear may disrupt sensory information from the ear to the brain and contribute to dizziness⁽¹³⁾. 

Vertigo can cause dizziness and make you feel like spinning even though you are not. The most common cause of vertigo is inner ear disorder⁽¹⁴⁾. 

Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that causes vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and congestion in the ear. The condition usually affects one ear⁽¹⁵⁾. 

Vestibular neuritis is another inner ear disorder. It may cause an individual to experience severe vertigo, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, and balance problems⁽¹⁶⁾. 

Benefits of Using CBD for Vertigo

There is no specific study suggesting the benefits of using CBD for vertigo. However, CBD may help alleviate symptoms of vertigo.

Vertigo is not a disease. Instead, it is a symptom of varying medical conditions. Some people even compare it to motion sickness⁽¹⁷⁾. 

Research demonstrates that manipulation of the ECS regulates nausea and vomiting in other animals and humans⁽¹⁸⁾. 

Nausea and vomiting are common vertigo symptoms⁽¹⁹⁾. 

Preclinical research suggests that cannabinoids, including CBD, may be clinically effective for treating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or other treatments⁽²⁰⁾.   

About 20% of hypertensive patients experience vertigo. However, vertigo is unrelated to elevated blood pressure. Instead, this sensation is due to associated peripheral vestibular and neurological diseases⁽²¹⁾. 

A randomized crossover study from the journal JCI Insight hypothesized that a single dose of CBD may reduce blood pressure⁽²²⁾. 

The results of these studies may seem promising. Still, specific studies examining the benefits of CBD for vertigo are required to establish whether cannabidiol may help with such a symptom.

How to Take CBD Oil for Vertigo

There are various methods of taking CBD oil for vertigo. You can opt for CBD edibles like capsules and gummies or topicals like lotions, balms, and salves. 

Vape oils and CBD tinctures are also available on the market.  

Vertigo can come without warning⁽²³⁾. Hence, a sublingual (under the tongue) method may be ideal. 

The onset of CBD tinctures, strips, sprays, tablets, and high-potency oil via the sublingual route is 15 to 30 minutes⁽²⁴⁾. 

CBD Dosage for Vertigo

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not recognized CBD to treat vertigo. Hence, there is no standard CBD dosage for vertigo. 

The only approved CBD product is Epidiolex. It is a CBD oral solution for treating seizures associated with rare and severe forms of epilepsy⁽²⁵⁾. 

A review from Current Drug Safety indicated that doses ranging from 1mg to as high as 1,500mg of CBD per day are well tolerated in humans⁽²⁶⁾.

There is also a wide array of dosing possibilities for CBD. The following ranges combined with the individuals’ body weight, determine the recommended starter dose:  

• Micro doses in the range of 0.5mg to 20mg of CBD per day may help with sleep problems, headaches, and nausea⁽²⁷⁾. Nausea is a symptom of vertigo⁽²⁸⁾. 
• Standard doses between 10mg and 100mg of CBD per day may help with pain, inflammation, and anxiety⁽²⁹⁾. 
• Macro doses between 50mg and 800mg of CBD per day may help with epilepsy and seizure disorders⁽³⁰⁾. 

Nevertheless, it is still best to talk with your physician if you are considering using CBD oil for vertigo. 

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Vertigo? 

How long cannabidiol takes to work depends on the method of administration used. The onset of CBD tinctures taken through the sublingual (under the tongue) route is 15 to 30 minutes, and the effects may last from 2 to 4 hours⁽³¹⁾.

Meanwhile, inhaling CBD using vape pens is the quickest way to benefit from the effects of cannabidiol⁽³²⁾. Nevertheless, vaping may cause damage to the lungs⁽³³⁾. 

The compound usually takes effect within 15 to 30 minutes when taken through topicals, with results lasting 2 to 4 hours⁽³⁴⁾.  

A 2018 study from Molecules showed that topical and transdermal administration of cannabinoids may have numerous advantages for localized symptoms, including pain and inflammation⁽³⁵⁾. 

In the transdermal method of drug administration, active ingredients are delivered into the skin⁽³⁶⁾. 

Generally, the onset of CBD through the transdermal route is 15 to 30 minutes. The effects of CBD may last up to 8 hours or more for patches and 4 hours for gels⁽³⁷⁾.  

How Long Will CBD Help With Vertigo? 

A systematic review from the Frontiers in Pharmacology journal indicated that CBD’s half-life is between 1.4 and 10.9 hours following an oromucosal spray administration, two to five days after chronic oral administration, and 24 hours following intravenous medications (administered through the veins)⁽³⁸⁾. 

A half-life is the length of time necessary for the concentration of a specific drug to decrease to 50% of its starting dose in the body⁽³⁹⁾. 

How to Choose the Right CBD for Vertigo

Choosing the right CBD product for vertigo depends on the severity of your condition and your personal preferences. 

Listed are factors to consider when choosing the best CBD oil for vertigo:

CBD Extracts 

CBD extracts can be categorized as⁽⁴⁰⁾:

• Full-spectrum CBD
• Broad-spectrum CBD
• CBD isolates 

A full-spectrum CBD product contains all extracts of the cannabis plant, including cannabidiol and other cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and essential oils⁽⁴¹⁾. 

Full-spectrum CBD products have less than 0.3% THC⁽⁴²⁾. 

Flavonoids are active compounds found in cannabis that contribute to the pigmentation, aroma, and flavor of cannabis through synergistic relationships with other active compounds like terpenes⁽⁴³⁾.   

Terpenes are the components of essential oils responsible for the aroma of cannabis⁽⁴⁴⁾. 

Meanwhile, broad-spectrum CBD is almost similar to the full spectrum. The only difference is that the broad–spectrum is nearly THC-free⁽⁴⁵⁾. 

Lastly, CBD isolates are made of pure CBD⁽⁴⁶⁾.

Source of Hemp and Extraction Methods Used

Extraction methods using butane and hexane may leave harmful residues⁽⁴⁷⁾. 

One of the most frequently used CBD extraction methods is the carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction process. In this technique, compressed carbon dioxide is utilized as the extraction solvent, avoiding flammable and toxic chemical solvents⁽⁴⁸⁾.   

It is also necessary to know the source of hemp because some CBD products may have heavy metals, irritants, and other contaminants.

Ensure that the CBD brand you choose is transparent with its farming practices and provides sufficient information about its products. 

CBD and THC Content 

Before purchasing any CBD product, you must determine the amount of CBD and THC it contains. Look for the certificates of analysis (COAs) to verify the accuracy of the declared CBD concentration and potency. 

The CBD brand you choose must enlist the services of a third-party lab to test all its products. The lab reports and COAs should be readily accessible on the brand’s website. 

This way, you can compare the values indicated on the lab results with the company’s claims regarding the product. 

Carrier Oils 

CBD tinctures are produced by infusing CBD into a carrier oil, usually olive oil, coconut oil, and hempseed oil⁽⁴⁹⁾. 

Most people use hemp oil (CBD oil) and hempseed oil interchangeably. However, they have significant differences. 

Hemp oil comes from the leaves and flowers of hemp plants, whereas hempseed oil is made from the pressed seeds of hemp plants. 

Hempseed oil does not contain CBD. Still, it is rich in nutrients and fatty acids⁽⁵⁰⁾. 

Is CBD Safe for Vertigo?

There is no specific study suggesting that CBD is safe to use for vertigo. However, according to WHO (World Health Organization), CBD is well tolerated with a good safety profile⁽⁵¹⁾. 

The Possible Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for Vertigo

CBD also carries some risks and side effects, such as⁽⁵²⁾:

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue

Drug Interactions  

Another primary concern is the way cannabidiol interacts with other medications and drugs. At high doses, CBD inhibits cytochrome P450 enzyme production⁽⁵³⁾. 

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are a family of liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing roughly 60% of the pharmaceutical drugs people consume⁽⁵⁴⁾. 

There is no standard cut-off dose to avoid this interaction because each person has a unique endocannabinoid system and distinctive threshold for CBD sensitivity⁽⁵⁵⁾. 

Hence, if you consider taking CBD with other prescription drugs, make sure to talk with your healthcare provider. 

Below are a few substances with the cytochrome P450 enzyme system and may interact with CBD⁽⁵⁶⁾: 

• Steroids
• Antibiotics
• Antihistamines 
• Antipsychotics
• Immune modulators
• Antidepressants
• Antiepileptics 

For instance, antihistamines may be used to combat symptoms of vestibular vertigo⁽⁵⁷⁾. However, antihistamines may interact with CBD⁽⁵⁸⁾.  

Legality of CBD

The U.S. Congress ratified the 2018 Farm Bill, decriminalizing the commercial use of industrial hemp and products obtained from hemp plants⁽⁵⁹⁾. 

The bill states that Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with no more than 0.3% THC content on a dry weight basis are considered federally legal in the U.S⁽⁶⁰⁾. 

However, it would be best to familiarize yourself with various state laws regarding CBD use.  

For instance, marijuana use is legal in Colorado.

In November 2012, the Colorado government legalized the use of marijuana by passing Amendment 64 to the Colorado Constitution⁽⁶¹⁾. 

However, even if individuals can use medical marijuana, they may still be arrested for impaired driving. If they drive with five nanograms of THC per milliliter of whole blood, they can face legal charges for driving under the influence⁽⁶²⁾. 

In addition, they must keep their cannabis products (marijuana products) within the borders of Colorado. They cannot bring them to areas like the Denver International Airport and federal lands, including national parks and national forests⁽⁶³⁾.