Wednesday September 29, 2021
Updated on 3/31/2022
By Trevor Ross
Reviewed By Mohammad Ashori, M.D. on Thursday March 31, 2022
Health/Science
Most cannabis users have experienced the dry mouth that can come with a high. Salivary glands dry up, leaving the mouth feeling sticky or coarse, eventually leading to a scratchy throat. It’s not a detrimental side effect, but it can be a nuisance. So what can you do when it happens and how can you possibly avoid it in the future? Here we examine the causes and cures for cottonmouth as a result of using cannabis.
Table of Contents:
What is Cottonmouth?
Cottonmouth is a vernacular term for the dry mouth that often accompanies a marijuana high. The clinical term for dry mouth is “xerostomia,” resulting from reduced saliva production. It is considered a minor side effect of cannabis use, but it can leave the user’s mouth feeling tight, tacky, and uncomfortable. Over time, xerostomia may develop into a sore throat, and leave the user with bad breath.
Most cannabis users will experience cottonmouth at some point, regardless of their chosen consumption method. A dry mouth is not the result of smoking or vaping, it is a direct effect of the active ingredients in marijuana. This means that ingesting an edible or tincture may also result in cottonmouth.
Edible marijuana preparations can also cause dry mouth. photo credit
Those active ingredients are called “cannabinoids.” They interact with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS) at the cellular level, inducing an array of effects. For better or worse, one of these effects appears to be reduced saliva production. Anecdotal evidence has circulated for decades, but the direct link between cannabis and xerostomia was proven in 2006 when researchers used the body’s natural cannabinoid, anandamide, to suppress salivary flow in the submandibular saliva glands of rats.
While dry mouth is an infamous symptom of marijuana, cannabis is not unique in causing it. Many medications, from SSRIs to common allergy pills, result in decreased saliva production. Persistent dry mouth is not uncommon among people taking multiple medications.
How to Treat Cottonmouth?
Drinking liquids sounds like the obvious solution, but you may soon find yourself uncomfortably full of water. If you only have a drink on hand, at least take small sips, and roll the water around in your mouth to relieve any discomfort.
Be sure to avoid alcohol, which will further dehydrate you over time due to its diuretic effects. Sipping herbal tea will not cure or prevent xerostomia, but it will relieve the symptoms (including a sore throat) if the dryness has progressed that far.
Not only will something like gum help to soothe cottonmouth, but it will also taste good too. photo credit
One simple solution is to give your mouth something worth drooling over! Chewing gum or ice, or sucking candy should trigger the natural flow of saliva. Sour candy is an even better option because the sour sensation alone induces salivation. So you could also suck a lemon, but a candy may taste better.
For those suffering from a stubbornly dry mouth, there are hydrating mouthwashes and breath sprays available. These products usually contain sensitive moisturizers like aloe vera, or boast saliva-inducing enzymes to wet your whistle.
Tips to Avoid Cottonmouth
Cottonmouth may be difficult to avoid if you’re using cannabis, but there are a few steps you can take to minimize the effect.
Cottonmouth Tips
- Avoid caffeine, which is a mild diuretic.
- Avoid alcohol, including in mouthwashes, as they can leave your mouth drier than it began.
- When possible, avoid antihistamines and decongestants, which often relieve symptoms by drying the mouth and nose.
- Don’t smoke. While smoking is not the cause of cottonmouth, it does exacerbate the problem by passing dry, hot air through the mouth and throat.
Summary
Cottonmouth, or xerostomia, is a common side effect when using cannabis. Cannabis is not unique in this way, as a range of common medications have a similar side effect. And while it is relatively harmless, it can be the cause of discomfort or distraction.
Relieve dry mouth by sucking or chewing on things like candy, gum, or ice. Remember, dry mouth is an effect of cannabis, so drinking water will temporarily relieve the discomfort of a dry mouth, but will not prevent it from returning until the effects of the cannabis begin to subside (usually within a few hours).
Minimize the effects of cottonmouth by avoiding other common drugs that may dehydrate you, including many cold medications, and diuretics (that induce frequent urination) like alcohol. Alcohol in mouthwash may also leave your mouth drier. While smoking is not the cause of persistent dry mouth, it does make the symptoms worse by passing hot air over the tongue and throat.
If left untreated, xerostomia may develop into a sore throat and bad breath. For users with chronic cottonmouth, hydrating mouthwashes and breath sprays are available.
What is cottonmouth?
“Cottonmouth” is a slang word for xerostomia or the dry mouth that often accompanies a marijuana high.
What causes cottonmouth?
Dry mouth is caused by cannabinoids — the active ingredients in cannabis — interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system to deliver a range of effects. In this case, salivary production is reduced via CB receptors in the submandibular glands.
How can I treat cottonmouth?
A dry mouth can be relieved by chewing or sucking on ice or candy, or by using a specialty mouthwash or spray.
How can I prevent cottonmouth?
Specialty mouthwashes and sprays are available to treat chronic dry mouth.
Stay hydrated by avoiding caffeine, alcohol, most antihistamines, and decongestants, and do not smoke.
Are cottonmouth and dry mouth the same?
The terms mean the same thing, though cottonmouth is used more colloquially.
How have you dealt with cottonmouth? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo Credit: Pixabay (license)
