Cottonmouth and Weed: Why It Happens and How to Manage It

At one point or another, every stoner has experienced the vibe-killing effects of weed-induced cottonmouth. One minute, you’re passing around a pre-roll and laughing it up with friends. Next, your mouth feels like the Mojave Desert. It’s so common that it’s practically a rite of passage in cannabis culture.

When cottonmouth strikes, it can feel like all the water in the ocean wouldn’t be enough to quench your thirst. Fortunately, you won’t need to dive into the nearest body of water mouth first to get rid of cottonmouth from weed.

Trust us; we’re experts in this field. After many nights of parched lips and bone-dry hits, we’ve become well-versed in cottonmouth from weed. Read on to learn from our mistakes and find your way from the dank desert to the stoner oasis.

Why Does Weed Cause Cottonmouth?

Many stoners believe the myth that smoke dries out your mucus membranes and throat, causing cottonmouth. However, this is a common misconception. Edibles can cause dry mouth just as easily as vaping, so your method of ingesting THC won’t help you get rid of cottonmouth from weed.

Studies show that dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, results from THC binding to the body’s endocannabinoid receptors—specifically, the CB1 receptor. This receptor tells our bodies when to produce saliva. By interrupting it, weed causes cottonmouth.

Is Cottonmouth From Weed Dangerous?

You might wonder if it’s even that important to get rid of cottonmouth from weed. While inconvenient, side effects like thirst, bad breath, sore throat, and cracked lips hardly seem dangerous. However, dry mouth over long periods can cause a decline in dental hygiene.

Saliva plays a vital role in protecting our mouths from bacteria. When we consistently experience cottonmouth from weed, we increase our risk of mouth sores, cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. While cannabis alone isn’t likely to cause dental issues, chronic dry mouth can increase existing problems.

Be sure to consult your dentist with any concerns about oral health.

How to Get Rid of Cottonmouth From Weed

There’s good news: while dry mouth is a common issue, it’s easy to manage. The simplest way to keep it at bay is by taking lower doses of THC. For those prone to cottonmouth from weed, ingesting more cannabis will amplify the effects.

Of course, cutting back on cannabis isn’t the most fun solution to dry mouth. Thankfully, some smokers develop a tolerance to cottonmouth over time. However, even seasoned stoners can experience a smoke session where the munchies feel like chewing sand.

Let’s explore how to get rid of cottonmouth from weed with a few quick fixes and long-term solutions.

Stay Hydrated

Because smoking interrupts your body’s signal to produce saliva, regular cannabis users should make hydration a priority. Before loading your bowl with your favorite strain, be sure you’re drinking water throughout the day.

While drinking after smoking might help curb weed-induced cottonmouth, being hydrated before you get high is even more effective. It isn’t just a good tip for toking—it’s a good tip for a healthy life.

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine

If you spend all that time ensuring that you’re getting enough water, the last thing you want to do is counteract that work with caffeine and alcohol.

In addition to giving you a boost of energy, caffeine is a diuretic. Those cups of coffee cause you to urinate, which could lead to dehydration. Alcohol also dehydrates the body, in addition to providing undesirable side effects when combined with THC.

Eat Fruits and Vegetables

The saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” works when you need to get rid of cottonmouth from weed, too! Fruits, especially citrus, can help rehydrate your body and stimulate saliva production.

Vegetables will also keep you hydrated. Many delicious veggies are over 90% water, like cucumber, celery, and zucchini. Not only will you get rid of dry mouth, you’ll fill your body with essential nutrients!

Use Gum and Candy

Many smokers report that chewing sugar-free gum helps cure dry mouth by stimulating saliva. Certain gum brands even make varieties that specifically help fight cottonmouth. Gum can also freshen up any bad breath you might get after dabbing your favorite concentrate—making it an essential part of any toker’s toolkit.

Not only does candy take care of a stoner’s sweet tooth, but it can stimulate salivary glands, too. Select a sugar-free option to keep those pearly whites in good working order while you get rid of cottonmouth from weed.

Run a Humidifier

If you experience dry mouth and usually smoke inside, running a humidifier might help. By keeping the air moist, you can keep the dryness in your mouth to a minimum.

To help get rid of cottonmouth from weed, we recommend using a humidifier while consuming THC and during your sleep. For those who enjoy smoking before bed, waking up with a sore throat and dry mouth can disrupt a restful night’s sleep.

Say Goodbye to Cottonmouth From Weed

With a little preparation and proper hydration, weed-induced cottonmouth can be a thing of the past. No more awkward lip-smacking and paranoia about bad breath. Instead of your tongue feeling like the surface of Mars, you can focus less on your mouth and more on your marijuana!

Westwood Farmacy is your one-stop shop for cannabis products in Los Angeles! From rolling papers to vape batteries, we have everything you need to make your next smoke session lit. Our selection blends premium quality with affordability.

Swing by our Westwood dispensary today and talk to a friendly and knowledgeable budtender. They can share tips about defeating dry mouth while showing you the best of our daily deals. Or, if you’re feeling antisocial, order online for easy in-store pickup. Shop now!