• Vertigo is the sensation that one’s surroundings spin in circles(1). Vertigo is not a medical condition but rather a symptom of several disorders.
  • Vertigo is a sign of inflammation(2). According to the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA), vertigo and dizziness are treated with anti-inflammatory drugs(3).
  • A Journal of Pain Research study hypothesized that CBD may alleviate chronic pain by altering endocannabinoid receptor activity and reducing inflammation(4). Also, in a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Frontiers in Neurology, researchers demonstrated that epileptic patients using CBD oil had much-reduced dizziness(5).
  • Vertigo has a whole different intensity than normal dizziness. The clinical studies do not necessarily imply that CBD might help reduce vertigo-related symptoms.

How Can CBD Oil Help With Vertigo?

There are no direct clinical studies detailing how oils like CBD oil may help with vertigo. 

Vertigo is a balance issue with related symptoms, including unsteadiness, dizziness, and feeling sick. 

Vertigo is a symptom of underlying medical conditions, including vestibular neuritis(6). Vestibular neuritis is a condition that affects the vestibulocochlear nerve, the inner ear nerve. 

This nerve transmits balance and head position information from the inner ear to the brain. When this nerve gets swollen (inflamed), it interferes with the brain’s usual ability to comprehend information.

However, the data do not establish a clear link between CBD oil and vertigo. Since vertigo occurs at an altogether different severity level than typical dizziness, it is difficult to determine if CBD might be used for vertigo symptoms.

Since vertigo is a sign of inflammation, it may be argued that reducing inflammation may aid in managing vertigo symptoms.

The Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) states that anti-inflammatory medications treat vertigo and dizziness(7).

CBD is nonpsychoactive yet exerts putative pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics(8). 

A study published in the Journal of Pain Research indicated that CBD may relieve chronic pain by modulating endocannabinoid receptor activation and lowering inflammation(9)

Also, researchers showed in a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Frontiers in Neurology that patients receiving CBD oil as part of epilepsy research had much less dizziness(10).

Although this does not necessarily imply that CBD might help reduce vertigo-related symptoms, vertigo has a whole different intensity than normal dizziness.

Meanwhile, CBD and the numerous molecular targets with which it interacts, such as cannabinoid receptors and other endocannabinoid system components, have been thoroughly investigated(11).

The Role of the Endocannabinoid System 

Several studies show that pure CBD may have many benefits(12). It is essential to think about the endocannabinoid system or ECS in human bodies to understand the benefits of CBD better.

The ECS is a complex network of neurotransmitters, enzymes, and receptors that helps the central nervous system. 

The ECS is also responsible for regulating various processes, including memory, appetite, inflammation, and pain.

By learning more about how CBD works in these specific areas, researchers can determine how the compound affects many conditions and disorders.

Endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system.

The endocannabinoid system modulates neurotransmitter release and participates in several physiological processes(13).

The ECS consists of two primary cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).

In one clinical study, the involvement of the CB2 receptor in immune regulation was noted(14).

Evidence suggests that the CB2 cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) is associated with several immune functioning events. 

This functional importance seems particularly prominent during inflammation, a condition characterized by an increase in the number of accessible receptors for activation. 

Benefits of CBD Oil 

Cleveland Clinic cited some of the benefits of CBD oil(15).

  • CBD may help ease pain from inflammation, arthritis, and nerve damage by interacting with neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (peripheral neuropathy).Individuals with nerve damage in the lower half of their bodies who used a topical CBD oil for four weeks reported a substantial decrease in severe and sharp pain.
  • Mood disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder or depression can significantly impact daily life. These disorders can also cause physical and emotional stress, leading to other health problems like sleep problems, high blood pressure, chronic pain, and heart disease.In one study, 57 men took CBD or placebo by mouth 90 minutes before a simulated public speaking clinical test. Researchers noted that a 300mg dose of CBD decreased social anxiety during the trial.
  • CBD may help with chemotherapy-related nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. The FDA or Food and Drug Administration has approved three cannabis-based products to help with these symptoms and help people with AIDS eat more. All of these drugs have some THC or synthetic THC in them. They are not all CBD.However, some studies show that CBD may help shrink tumors and stop cancerous cells from spreading in skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other types of cancer. As with other types of research, more human clinical trials are necessary to understand how CBD affects different types of cancer.
  • Other studies suggest CBD may also help manage symptoms of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease due to the compound’s neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory potentials.More clinical studies are needed as many experts suggest that it is not just CBD alone but a combination of other cannabinoids that help reduce various symptoms.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a sensation in which individuals feel like their surroundings spin in circles(16). Vertigo is not an illness but a symptom of several conditions. 

An individual with vertigo feels a sense of spinning. 

Even though dizziness and vertigo are classified as balance issues, the two sensations are distinct. Dizziness is a general sensation of imbalance. Vertigo is characterized by the sense that individuals or their surroundings are moving or spinning.

Types of Vertigo

Peripheral and central vertigo are the two forms of vertigo(17). 

Peripheral vertigo is caused by an issue of the balance-regulating portion of the inner ear (inner ear disorder). These areas are referred to as the vestibular labyrinth or semicircular canals. 

A neurological issue, most often located in the brain stem or the back of the brain, is the underlying cause of central vertigo (cerebellum).

Causes of Vertigo

Multiple syndromes and illnesses may cause vertigo. These consist of(18):

  • Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): Head position changes often induce BPPV. Individuals affected by BPPV often suffer vertigo while lying down, sitting up, or rolling over in bed.
  • Labyrinthitis: The condition occurs if the inner ear labyrinth becomes inflamed or infected. The ear labyrinth contains the vestibulocochlear nerve, which provides information about sound, location, and head movement to the brain. Labyrinthitis is often accompanied by headaches, ear discomfort, visual abnormalities, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
  • Meniere’s disease: This ailment is characterized by fluid accumulation inside the ear, resulting in vertigo episodes. Meniere’s illness may also be accompanied by tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss, or a sense of fullness in the ears.
  • Vestibular Neuritis: This vestibular nerve inflammation may result in vertigo. Vestibular neuritis is comparable to labyrinthitis but does not affect the hearing. Individuals with this illness may feel dizziness, nausea, or visual blurring.
  • Cholesteatoma: Repeated ear infections may lead to the development of noncancerous skin growth in the middle ear. This disorder is called cholesteatoma, and it may cause vertigo, dizziness, and hearing loss.

Symptoms of Vertigo

Since vertigo is a symptom, it is not a medical condition(19). The moving or spinning sensation may be hardly perceptible. It may be so intense that individuals struggle to maintain their equilibrium and do daily duties.

Vertigo attacks may occur rapidly and last just a few seconds, or they might persist for much longer. If individuals have severe vertigo, their symptoms may be persistent and linger for days, making it extremely difficult to live a regular life.

Other symptoms of vertigo may include lack of balance, dizziness, and feeling sick.

Treatment Options for Vertigo

Most individuals with vertigo may be managed in a primary care environment without comprehensive diagnostic testing(20). 

Acute vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis is treated with immediate stabilization measures and a vestibular suppressant than vestibular rehabilitation activities. 

Frequently, a low-sodium diet and diuretics are effective treatments for Ménière’s illness. In most cases, dietary modifications, a tricyclic antidepressant, and a beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker may alleviate vertiginous migraine headaches.

Anxiety-related vertigo often responds to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

Canalith repositioning is often effective in treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. 

Canalith repositioning is an approved remedy for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is a disorder characterized by brief but severe episodes of dizziness and vertigo triggered by head movement(21). 

The attending physician, an audiologist, or a physical therapist may carry out the procedure. Canalith repositioning requires the head to be moved in various directions. 

The majority of the time, it only takes one or two sessions for the procedure to be effective. Patients who have issues with their neck or back, a detached retina, or difficulties with their blood vessels should inform their doctors about these conditions before undergoing this treatment.

Complications of Vertigo

Patients who suffer from vertigo often report feelings of dizziness, which might make them more prone to accidents.

Dizziness might increase the likelihood of falling and sustaining an injury. Experiencing dizziness while operating a vehicle or heavy equipment might raise the risk of an accident(22). Untreated preexisting health conditions causing the dizziness may potentially have long-term repercussions.

Self-Care

Depending on the cause of vertigo, there may be self-care measures individuals may do to alleviate the symptoms. The physician or treating expert may advise patients to(23):

  • Practice easy exercises to address vertigo problems.
  • Rest with their head slightly elevated on at least two pillows.
  • Avoid bending down to pick anything up. Also, individuals should sit on the side of their bed for a minute before getting out of bed.
  • Avoid putting strain on their necks by doing things like reaching for items on high shelves. Instead, patients should move their heads carefully and softly as they go about their daily activities.
  • Engage in activities that bring on the sensation in order to train their brains to cope with their vertigo and reduce the severity of their symptoms.

Understanding CBD

Cannabis Sativa or Cannabis Indica is the plant from which medical marijuana is derived. Both marijuana and hemp are major species of Cannabis sativa.

The medicinal cannabis plant is a broad word for any therapy derived from cannabis, and it is often used interchangeably with medical marijuana.

Two of the several active chemicals identified in Cannabis sativa are of medicinal interest: THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

THC produces psychoactive effects such as dizziness and nausea when taken at high doses(24). 

Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid that is derived mostly from hemp. CBD is well-known for its medical qualities, but it does not produce a euphoric high.

CBD oil is an extract coming from the hemp plant’s flowers, stalks, and leaves. On the other hand, hemp oil, often known as hempseed oil, is produced from hemp seeds, containing very little CBD.

Ways to Take CBD Oil

CBD edibles and capsules are one of the quick and easy ways to consume CBD oil. These CBD products make sure that the amount of CBD is consistent. 

Cannabidiol oil or tinctures can be taken with droppers if the user wants to control their intake. These products can be taken sublingually, allowing the compound to get into the bloodstream through the tissues under the tongue.

A study done in 2010 backed up this idea, saying that most drugs used sublingually reach their peak blood levels in about 10 to 15 minutes(25).

Disclaimer: users may consult a health care provider about their options and preferences when choosing the right amount of CBD for their vertigo symptoms. 

CBD Dosage

There is no standard CBD dosage for vertigo. 

CBD dosage ranges usually take the patient’s body weight into account to help figure out the best starting dose(26).

Research shows that low doses are small amounts, between 0.5mg and 20mg of CBD per dose per day(27).

In one clinical study, the suggested maximum dosage for alleviating pain in individuals with malignant conditions is 12 actuations per day (32mg THC/30mg CBD)(28). 

However, it is essential to conduct further large-scale investigations of cannabinoids in homogenous populations.

How to Select the Right CBD for Vertigo

Pure CBD oil, tinctures, and concentrates are CBD products intended for sublingual administration. 

These forms of CBD are readily held in the tongue, allowing the active components to be absorbed by the mouth capillaries before swallowing.

However, regardless of the kind of CBD product chosen, consumers need to select the most effective CBD oil for their vertigo symptoms. The following factors are essential for ensuring the safety and dependability of CBD products:

  • Consumers are responsible for doing independent research on the specific legal requirements that are pertinent to CBD in the region in which they want to purchase CBD oil or other CBD products.
  • Consumers need to buy from trustworthy and reputable major brands. The majority of CBD firms that create the CBD oil products get their hemp from California, Texas, Europe, and Colorado-based farms.
  • When consumers purchase from an online retailer, they need to research product reviews. Consumers also need to check if a physical shop or dispensary is permitted by the authorities to sell CBD before purchasing.
  • Certification codes are an essential element to search for in CBD products. Several certification agencies only authorize certain CBD items after conducting exhaustive screening examinations.
  • Independent third-party laboratories should evaluate the claims made by businesses about the effectiveness of their CBD products.
     
  • Consumers are strongly encouraged to confer with a trustworthy health care professional who has expertise in CBD usage before purchasing.

Risk and Considerations

CBD may cause vertigo, according to one study. More and more exposure to CBD-labeled products is being reported to Poison Control Centers(29).  

Between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, there were 1581 times when people used CBD-containing products. 

Mild central nervous system depression (10.3%), tachycardia (5.7%), dizziness/vertigo (5.3%), vomiting (4.9%), nausea (4.5%), and agitation (4.4%) were the most common symptoms. 13% of the cases were coded as having medical outcomes that were either “moderate” or “severe.” There were no people who died.

Meanwhile, internal medicine specialist, Paul Terpeluk, DO, says there is no way to know if the CBD oil or other CBD products consumers buy online or locally are pure because CBD could be mixed with other cannabinoids like the delta-8 or THC(30).

If consumers purchase CBD oil from the store, they have a very high chance of testing positive for THC on a drug test because it could contain THC(31).

CBD can also change how medicines like painkillers, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other substances work(32).

Although limited, clinical data supports cannabis pharmacotherapy in managing various types of pain in patients(33). 

If a patient experiences chronic pain and their healthcare practitioner has tried first- and second-line treatments without results, it may be appropriate to conduct cannabis or a cannabinoid trial(34). 

As the use of medical cannabis as a pharmacotherapy for pain increases, there is a growing need for risk-benefit evaluations that consider the possible adverse effects of cannabis.

Side Effects

In 15 of the 18 studies, cannabinoids demonstrated a significant analgesic benefit compared to placebo(35). The most often reported side effects were typically tolerable and mild to moderate intensity. 

The most common adverse effects were drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth. There is evidence that cannabinoids are safe and somewhat effective in managing neuropathic pain and cancer-related pain. 

The number of “respondents” those who reported a 30% decrease in pain intensity on a scale of 0–10 after two weeks of therapy, which is deemed clinically significant) was 43% compared to placebo of 21%.

The suggested maximum dosage for alleviating pain in individuals with malignant conditions is 12 actuations per day (32 mg THC/30 mg CBD). However, it is essential to conduct further large-scale investigations of cannabinoids in homogenous populations.

Legality

Federal law forbids the use of Cannabis sativa plants and their derivatives for any purpose(36). CBD produced from the hemp plant (containing less than 0.3% THC) is allowed under federal law.

Several states have legalized the use of medicinal marijuana. The federal government’s authority to regulate marijuana takes precedence over state laws. Therefore, even in regions where the use of marijuana is legal, individuals still run the risk of being arrested and punished for possession of the substance(37).

Meanwhile, the United States Food and Drug Administration or FDA authorized Epidiolex (cannabidiol) oral solution to treat seizures associated with TSC or tuberous sclerosis complex in individuals older than one year(38).

Epidiolex was initially licensed to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome, two uncommon and severe types of epilepsy (DS). Epidolex is the first FDA-approved medicine containing a pure cannabis-derived drug ingredient. It is also the second medicine approved by the FDA to treat TSC-related seizures.


  1. Vertigo
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21769-vertigo
  2. Vestibular Neuritis
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15227-vestibular-neuritis
  3. MEDICATION
    https://vestibular.org/article/diagnosis-treatment/treatments/medication/
  4. Pharmacotherapeutic considerations for use of cannabinoids to relieve pain in patients with malignant diseases
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922297/
  5. Potential Clinical Benefits of CBD-Rich Cannabis Extracts Over Purified CBD in Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy: Observational Data Meta-analysis
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6143706/
  6. Vestibular Neuritis
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15227-vestibular-neuritis
  7. MEDICATION
    https://vestibular.org/article/diagnosis-treatment/treatments/medication/
  8. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
  9. Pharmacotherapeutic considerations for use of cannabinoids to relieve pain in patients with malignant diseases
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922297/
  10. Potential Clinical Benefits of CBD-Rich Cannabis Extracts Over Purified CBD in Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy: Observational Data Meta-analysis
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6143706/
  11. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
  12. CBD Oil — Are the Benefits Claimed Too Good To Be True?
    https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cbd-oil-benefits/
  13. Endocannabinoid System
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/endocannabinoid-system
  14. Emerging Role of the CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor in Immune Regulation and Therapeutic Prospects
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2768535/
  15. CBD Oil — Are the Benefits Claimed Too Good To Be True?
    https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cbd-oil-benefits/
  16. Vertigo
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21769-vertigo
  17. Vertigo-associated disorders
    https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001432.htm
  18. Vertigo
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21769-vertigo
  19. Vertigo
    https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/vertigo
  20. Treatment of Vertigo
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2005/0315/p1115.html
  21. Canalith repositioning procedure
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/canalith-repositioning-procedure/about/pac-20393315
  22. Dizziness
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness/symptoms-causes/syc-20371787
  23. Vertigo
    https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/vertigo
  24. Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425767/
  25. SUBLINGUAL MUCOSA AS A ROUTE FOR SYSTEMIC DRUG DELIVERY
    https://innovareacademics.in/journal/ijpps/Vol3Suppl2/1092.pdf
  26. CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MILU_6ZjYkII-XMUPHLFPiPQbrz__5Sh/view
  27. Ibid.
  28. Pharmacotherapeutic considerations for use of cannabinoids to relieve pain in patients with malignant diseases
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922297/
  29. Epidemiology of cannabidiol related cases reported in the National Poison Data System – 2019-2020
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33975134/
  30. CBD Oil — Are the Benefits Claimed Too Good To Be True?
    https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cbd-oil-benefits/
  31. Ibid.
  32. Ibid.
  33. Pharmacotherapeutic considerations for use of cannabinoids to relieve pain in patients with malignant diseases
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922297/
  34. Ibid.
  35. Ibid.
  36. Medical marijuana
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/medical-marijuana/art-20137855
  37. Medical marijuana
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/medical-marijuana/art-20137855
  38. FDA Approves New Indication for Drug Containing an Active Ingredient Derived from Cannabis to Treat Seizures in Rare Genetic Disease
    https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-indication-drug-containing-active-ingredient-derived-cannabis-treat-seizures-rare
CBD Clinicals is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more