Cannabis Cottonmouth: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Treat This

What is it about cannabis that can lead to a parched throat, and how does cannabis dry out the mouth? This is the concept of cottonmouth. This blog will explore how cannabis cottonmouth is caused, its symptoms, and potential treatments.

A huge issue with partaking in weed is the unwelcome sensation that leads to feeling like you have ingested cotton balls. This is the feeling referred to as cottonmouth. In this condition, you feel like your mouth and throat are extremely dry after consuming cannabis. Here, let’s look into the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this condition.

What Is Cannabis Cottonmouth?

Cannabis cottonmouth is also known as xerostomia. This condition occurs when your mouth and throat dry out after using cannabis. When xerostomia sets in, the saliva production in your mouth decreases, and this leads to less natural lubricant in the mouth, which worsens conditions of talking and swallowing.

Xerostomia can arise when people consume cannabis. However, it can also be triggered by aging, certain medications, or even, in some cases, dehydration. The term xerostomia also refers to a symptom or a sensation, rather than any specific condition.

Moreover, cottonmouth’s onset time and effect vary based on the delivery method. Cottonmouth from smoking usually takes place within 30 minutes to an hour. Alternatively, cottonmouth from edibles may not even kick in for an hour or more. However, it may last even longer.

The Usual Symptoms of Cottonmouth

How can you tell that you have cottonmouth? To understand that, let’s look at some of the most common symptoms of this problem.

Cottonmouth symptoms include feelings such as a sticky and dry mouth, thick saliva, and difficulty in chewing, swallowing, or speaking. The symptoms may also include bad breath, sore throat, cracked lips, a rough-feeling tongue, and a constant and increased feeling of thirst.

Cottonmouth after smoking feels like your mouth lacks any form of moisture and lubrication. Thus, it makes simple and daily tasks such as swallowing or talking seem difficult, and it can potentially cause discomfort or burning sensations.

It is also important to note that these symptoms can be managed and are temporary. However, if the symptoms persist, you would need to visit a healthcare professional. Constant dry mouth can be a signal for dehydration, side effects due to some medication, or underlying conditions like diabetes. It is during these scenarios that visiting a healthcare professional becomes crucial.

What Causes Cannabis Cottonmouth?

All forms of consumption of cannabis can cause cottonmouth. Smoking, vaping, edibles – all forms of cannabis consumption can lead to reduced saliva production and be critical cottonmouth causes.

When it comes to finding the true perpetrator of cottonmouth, THC can be the first to blame. It affects CB1 receptors that are located in different parts of the human body. There are also CB1 receptors in our salivary glands, and THC can affect the CB1 production in the salivary glands, causing a dry mouth.

THC hits the CB1 receptors in the brain to create a mellow effect. This also affects the CB1 receptors in your salivary glands, causing them to effectively stop lubricating regularly and consistently. Thus, your mouth becomes as dry as a desert.

Also, THC can reduce the moisture production elsewhere in your body, such as your eyes, leading to the drying up of your eyeballs, and reducing your ability to tear up.

Can Cottonmouth Lead to Further Health Issues?

Cottonmouth does not indicate any imminent health issues. It is just an unpleasant feeling, with it being very uncomfortable and initiating a gag reflex if not managed in the immediate aftermath.

However, a frequent occurrence of dry mouth can lead to certain oral health issues. Saliva production has a key role to play in oral health, as it protects the teeth and mouth from bacterial buildup.

So, with interruptions in saliva production for long periods, plaque buildup can occur. And it can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, oral infections, such as halitosis and candidiasis. Thus, constant cottonmouth can be a major concern for oral health.

As per a Wiley study, 70% of people who experience xerostomia on a regular basis have tooth decay in at least one spot. Therefore, the evidence suggests that the more frequently you experience dry mouth, the stronger the possibility that you may develop oral health issues.

How to Avoid Cottonmouth?

To completely avoid any form of cottonmouth, the only way that is confirmed is to completely avoid THC. However, if you are a frequent user of medical or recreational cannabis, that will not exactly be an option. So, the next best option is to mindfully use cannabinoid products.

In this case, the best way to go about it will be to not overdo the consumption of THC. The duration and intensity can impact the overall amount of THC that is ingested.

Alternatively, as per a Scientific Reports study, CBD can strongly counteract the effects of THC, and thus reduce the dry mouth issues. Also, there is a simpler solution to managing cottonmouth symptoms, which is constant hydration. It can be stated that water is the best solution when it comes to managing cottonmouth cannabis effects.

There are also other ways to alleviate cottonmouth, such as consuming saliva-stimulating products that include sugar-free candy, chewing gum, or unsweetened beverages. Drinking herbal tea and honey can also have some immediate soothing impacts on the soreness and the sensitivity.

Also, if you regularly consume cannabis products, it will be advisable that you minimise sugar, alcohol, and caffeine consumption. These substances can also dehydrate your body. Also, to minimise the long-term oral health issues, regular weed users need to visit the doctor frequently and brush their teeth regularly.

Wrapping Up

While consuming cannabis-based products, one major downside can be cottonmouth. However, this is something that can be managed with careful planning. So, if you are feeling like your mouth is drier than the Sahara desert after a bout with a cannabis product, focus on rehydrating, and consider following up with products that promote hydration.

Also, if you are experiencing constant cottonmouth, it may be important that you visit the doctor. This is important as frequent dry mouth is a symptom of other issues.

Suffering from Cottonmouth? Here are Some Steps to Take!

Are you a frequent user of cannabis who suffers from cottonmouth more often than not? Have you tried chasing the cannabis product with water or other drinks that can help with hydration? However, if that does not seem to work, it might be time to visit the doctor.

Moreover, you also need to visit the dentist to look into some of the oral issues that can occur from frequent cottonmouth!