Tips and Tricks to Avoid Marijuana Dry Mouth

Sometimes when people are smoking cannabis, they are unable to avoid dry mouth after the spliff or joint has been fully smoked. This is also called cotton mouth, which affects a lot of recreational cannabis users. There are specific ways to get rid of this, though.

The dry mouth or cotton mouth while you are smoking cannabis is a familiar occurrence to many cannabis users on the global spectrum. However, since so many smokers report the uncomfortable and annoying side effect, could it have a scientific explanation behind it?

Even though, different people have varying degrees of dry mouth; some severe and others more mildly, it is sometimes quite inevitable and something you just have to accept. Sometimes, it can be avoided though by drinking something cold and doing so right after smoking cannabis.

Prior to smoking cannabis, it is recommended that you know how to handle this predicament. Let's see how we can best help you. Learn how to avoid marijuana dry mouth.

Why Does Weed Give You Cottonmouth?

The cannabinoids found in cannabis has an effect on the nervous system. Scientists call this ‘xerostomia.' Primarily, cotton mouth is caused by a cannabinoid known as ‘anadamide.'

A 2006 study indicated that a person's submandibular gland is what mostly produces saliva in the mouth, which contains both type 1 and 2 cannabinoid receptors.

When these receptors were injected into rats during the study, the anandamide bound to these receptors. This limited the essential compounds used to produce saliva.

The customary cannabinoid THC and the anandamide will block the signal of swallowing and ingesting, subsequently causing dry mouth or cotton mouth, whether you consume edibles or smoke cannabis. The fact that you get the munchies after smoking cannabis makes it even more difficult.

Easing Dry Mouth

Don't reach for a cold beer after smoking cannabis. That will only make matters worse. You should not drink things like tea, heavy wines and fruit juices either as they are attributed to dry mouth because the tannins contained within these beverages add to the dry mouth sensation.

There is a simple solution. Just sip water frequently while smoking cannabis and it will fight against the dry mouth, actually lubricating your mouth.

You could also chew gum, but only the ones that are sugar free. This is one of the fastest, simplest and easiest methods of easing dry mouth after smoking cannabis. Chewing gum will produce more saliva. In that sense, it won't limit the cannabinoid signals.

In a nutshell, any beverage or product that has less tannins will lubricate the mouth and ease dry mouth.

Don't wait until you are experiencing cotton mouth after smoking cannabis to sip drinks low on tannins or to eat sugar free gums. You should be doing it through the smoking process. You could also opt for crushed ice, chewing it to produce more saliva.

Sugary Sweets

Try to avoid sugar free gums, but that does not mean that you have to avoid sugary sweets as these will increase the production of saliva. In addition to tasting good, it can be a great way to attack the munchies and get rid of dry mouth after smoking cannabis.

Sugar sweets take a longer time than chewing gums to dissipate in the mouth and it produces more saliva. Stay away from chocolate though because it is easy to dissolve in the mouth.

Limit Your Caffeine Intake

Mixing coffee and weed is a fun way to elevate your high. Also known as a hippie speedball, this combination of uppers and downers can keep you focused and mellow. However, caffeine intake of any kind can actually make your mouth drier.

Avoid coffee, energy drinks, sodas, green tea, black tea, and dark chocolate, if possible.

Avoid Mouthwashes Containing Alcohol

Most mouthwashes contain a small amount of alcohol, but this small amount can make your dry mouth worse.

Alcohol in the mouthwash is responsible for the burning sensation you feel when you use it.

When you swish mouthwash that contains alcohol around your mouth, your saliva production is significantly reduced.

Use Mouthwashes Made For Dry Mouth

Similar to sugar-free gum, some mouthwashes specifically made for dry mouth contain xylitol. These mouthwashes such as ACT Total Care Dry Mouth Mouthwash or Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse can provide dry mouth relief for up to four hours. Additionally, the mouthwashes can protect your teeth against decay.

Use Artificial Saliva

Over-the-counter saliva replacements can come in various forms including oral sprays, oral ringes, gels, swabs, and dissolving tablets.

Over-the-counter saliva substitutes such as Mouth Kote or Oasis Moisturizing Mouth Spray also use xylitol to their advantage.

Just like using eye drops to relieve red and dry eyes, artificial saliva can help your dry mouth.

Some mouthwashes contain carboxymethylcellulose or hydroxyethyl cellulose such as Biotene Oral Balance.

Here are a few of the most popular brands of artificial saliva:

• XyliMelts
• Oasis mouth moisturizing spray
• NeutraSal
• Mouth Kote dry mouth spray
• Biotene Oralbalance moisturizing gel
• Aquoral

Avoid Antihistamines and Decongestants

Antihistamines and decongestants can help relieve symptoms of the common cold. They can also unintentionally cause dry mouth. Antihistamines can not only make your mouth dry, but also your nose and throat.

On a similar note, some medications can also cause dryness of the mouth. We don’t suggest you stop taking your medication (unless approved by a doctor), but it’s good to know what affects your saliva production. For example, the following medications can cause dry mouth:

• Antidepressants
• Muscle relaxants
• Appetite suppressants
• Diuretics
• Bronchodilators
• Hormone medications
• Antihypertensives

Breathe Through Your Nose

Breathing is an automatic biological response. Most of the time, we’re unaware of how we are breathing.

Most people breathe in and out through their nose, keeping the nasal passages moist and warm.

Some people breathe through their mouths, also known as mouth breathing.

Conditions such as sleep apnea can cause people to breathe through their mouth while asleep. The common cold can also lead to serious mouth breathing.

After consuming marijuana, try to focus on breathing through your nose instead of your mouth. If you do this, you’re less likely to experience the intense feeling of a dry mouth.

Use a Humidifier

If your ambient air is dry, a room humidifier can fix the problem and reduce the amount of dryness you experience.

Humidifiers work by increasing the space’s relative humidity. Humidifiers can circulate air throughout the room. This means there’s more humidity in your nasal passages allowing you to breathe better through your nose.

Herbal Remedies

Some herbs are known to stimulate saliva production. Here are a few herbs you can consume to avoid dry mouth:

• Aloe vera
• Ginger
• Hollyhock root
• Marshmallow root
• Nopal cactus
• Spilanthes
• Sweet pepper

Dental Hygiene

Frequent dry mouth is a common occurrence among daily marijuana users. Unfortunately, excessive dry mouth can be detrimental to your oral health. If you want to protect your teeth from the dangers of regular dry mouth, follow these basic dental hygiene tips.

Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and use a fluoride rinse if possible.

Fluoride works by attaching itself onto the tooth’s surface and fortifying the tooth’s enamel against acid erosion due to bacteria in the mouth. Fluoride can also fix and remineralize weak spots caused by acidic damage.

Finally, visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning. A visit to the dentist can also help dentists identify any tooth decay or other oral health issues.

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