Vertigo, a medical condition characterized by loss of balance and constant dizziness, is estimated to affect approximately 40 percent of Americans at least once over their lives. Patients of Vertigo usually feel that they can’t balance themselves. And they often get a sensation of the room spinning around them, which makes them nauseated.

There are many pharmaceutical drugs available to manage this condition. However, the problem here is that these drugs have a fair share of side effects. And due to this, a lot of people are turning to cannabis now.

But is cannabis really effective in helping you with Vertigo?

If you ask a 420 doctor, you’re likely to get a nod as an answer to this question. However, considering the image and status of the herb among people, it’s better not to take the high road and understand the relationship between the two in detail. 

So, shall we begin?

Vertigo: The Basics

Before we get on to how cannabis may help you with the condition, it’s better to understand what the condition itself is. So, let’s see.

Vertigo, as I said before, is a condition that can be best described as the feeling of dizziness that makes the sufferer feel as if the world around them is spinning fast. Many times the condition is confused with the fear of heights. But the reality is that it isn’t like this phenomenon occurs only then. If we talk generally, the condition can be any continuous or temporary dizziness. And it usually happens because of some problems with a part of the brain or the inner ear.

Symptoms of vertigo

Some of the most common symptoms of vertigo include:

• Difficulty maintaining balance
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Motion Sickness
• Headaches
• Ear ringing
• Lightheadedness
• Sweating; etc.

The intensity of these symptoms may vary from mild to severe, depending upon the condition. And these may last anywhere between a few minutes to several hours.

Causes of Vertigo

A person may suffer from Vertigo for several possible reasons. These include:

• Labyrinthitis: This is a condition in which the inner ear labyrinth is infected, causing the inflammation there. This particular region of the ear carries the vestibulocochlear nerve, which sends the signal regarding the position, sound, and head motion to the brain.
• Meniere’s Disease: Result of the fluid build-up inside the inner ear. Causes ringing sounds in the ear and may result in complete hearing loss. 
• Cholesteatoma: Happens due to the non-tumorous skin growth inside the middle ear. Sufferer has the chance of damaging the bone structure of the ear.
• Vestibular Neuritis: An infection that causes vestibular nerve to inflame. This leads to very bad nausea and a problem in vision.

Some of the other potential causes of vertigo may include:

• Ear Surgery
• Acoustic Neuroma
• Head Injury
• Ataxia
• Migraine
• Multiple Sclerosis; etc.

Traditional Treatments For Vertigo

As we saw above, the cause of the problem may vary. And so does the treatment methods. Some of the examples include:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation in the case of Vestibular Neuritis.
• Diuretics for a case of Meniere’s Disease.
• Antibiotics for an infection of the ear.
• Surgery in some other cases.

In some conditions, even a lifestyle change may induce improvement. For example, performing specific exercises or consuming herbal remedies may help vertigo patients in some light cases. However, to manage the symptoms, many patients are turning to cannabis nowadays.

Medical Cannabis for Vertigo

The first thing you need to understand here is that cannabis cannot treat vertigo. As we read above, the condition is not actually a problem itself but a mere symptom of some other underlying condition. Thus, you must set your expectations accordingly. Just remember that people do not use cannabis to treat vertigo but to alleviate its symptoms only. And for people who have to go through the dizziness and room spinning regularly, a mere reduction in their symptoms is a big deal.

As per the research on the cannabis plant, it is very effective in helping people with managing the symptoms of vertigo, including headache, nausea, and dizziness. This happens because cannabis has the tendency to activate some specific endocannabinoid receptors present inside our body. CB1 and CB2, the two main endocannabinoid receptors, are present all over our body. CB1 is found primarily in our central nervous system. And CB2 in our immune cells mostly. However, both of these have some effects on the brain too.

Sadly, the research on the subject is still very limited. However, there are a few studies that prove the potential of cannabis in treating nausea, dizziness and vomiting, There was a study in the year 2011 that looked at the effects of CBD on vomiting and nausea. And the study found the compound quite effective in reducing these symptoms in chemotherapy patients. In another 2018 study, it was found that CBD can have a great effect on people suffering from dizziness for a long time.

Given all this, it seems like the herb can be quite beneficial for people suffering from vertigo too.

Best Cannabis Strains to Treat Vertigo

There is a lack of conclusive study regarding the effects of cannabis on vertigo. However, the anecdotal evidence is positive. As per the current research on cannabis, it seems that CBD may be quite effective in helping people with vertigo symptoms. 

But it doesn’t mean that THC and other compounds of cannabis are useless. If you talk to a 420 doctor, he’ll tell you that using a full-fledged cannabis plant is much more beneficial in any condition than using a single compound. This is due to the entourage effect that suggests that various compounds of cannabis complement the effects of each other.

Considering this, let’s see which cannabis strains you may consume to manage your symptoms of vertigo.

• Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web, with a CBD content of 17 percent and a THC of merely 0.3 percent, is a Sativa dominant strain that is exactly what you need as a vertigo patient. Given the low THC level, it does not intoxicate you. Plus, it has a very high Linalool content, which along with the high CBD, gives it the power to provide you with the most relaxing effects. 

• Dancehall

It has a CBD level of around 16 percent and a THC around 9 percent. It also contains various terpenes, including myrcene, limonene, etc. The strain provides you with a clear-headed high. And the effects are very quick. However, we do not recommend this to you if you don’t have any experience with cannabis before.

• Harle-Tsu

On the papers, this particular strain has a CBD level of 24 percent and THC just around one percent. But the figures may vary in reality. Harle-Tsu is a strain perfect for you if you are looking for something energizing after a very long day.

• Valentine X

Again a strain with a very high CBD level, i.e. 25 percent (approx.). And the main terpenes it carries include beta-myrcene, limonene, and pinene. Valentine X is amazing for you if you want to boost your productivity as it doesn’t intoxicate you. After a slight tingling sensation, in the beginning, users claim that they experience an amazing rush of euphoria.

Cannabis is a great herb. And considering all the above-mentioned things, it seems like it can be potentially effective in helping people with their symptoms of vertigo. Especially, the strains that are rich in CBD seem quite beneficial.

However, you should keep in mind that the research on the cannabis plant is not very extensive. And thus, if you are thinking of trying the herb, it’s better you talk to a qualified 420 doctor first. A doctor will be able to evaluate your particular condition and suggest the best for you accordingly.