Cotton Mouth from Cannabis & How to Minimize It

A common yet fairly innocuous side effect of cannabis consumption is dry mouth, AKA cotton mouth. Weed enthusiasts and MMJ patients alike will recognize the typical signs, but may not know how to reduce the symptoms.

Cotton mouth symptoms are temporary but can be uncomfortable and may impact your overall experience. The good news is that staying hydrated is a simple way to reduce feelings of cotton mouth.

What Is Cotton Mouth?

Cotton mouth is a dry sensation in the mouth that can occur after consuming cannabis. If you experience cotton mouth, you will notice less saliva in your mouth and may experience a strange dryness that extends all the way into your throat.

There are many possible causes for cotton mouth apart from cannabis consumption. For example, if you’re consuming cannabis to counter the effects of nausea from chemotherapy, you may have noticed cotton mouth as one of the side effects of your radiation treatment or other cancer treatment. Other qualifying conditions like HIV/AIDS can also cause dry mouth.

What Are the Most Common Dry Mouth Symptoms?

The most common symptom of dry mouth is decreased saliva production which leads to an uncomfortable dry sensation in your mouth and throat. Dry mouth can lead to several symptoms, including:

Dryness and stickiness: A persistent feeling of dryness and stickiness in the mouth.
Difficulty swallowing: Saliva helps the swallowing process. Reduced saliva production might make eating and drinking more challenging.
Bad breath: Saliva helps to neutralize bacteria in the mouth. Dry mouth can contribute to bad breath or make existing bad breath worse.
Cracked lips: Dryness can lead to chapped and cracked lips.
Sore throat: A dry mouth can irritate the throat, causing soreness.
Difficulty speaking: Saliva lubricates the mouth, making it easier to speak clearly. Dry mouth can impact speech clarity.
Changes in taste: Reduced saliva can affect your sense of taste.
Recurrent oral infections in the mouth and throat.

Why Does Cannabis Cause Cotton Mouth?

Consuming cannabis causes cotton mouth because THC reduces saliva production. Various studies have shown that the activation of the CB1 and CB2 receptors reduces salivary flow, leading to the sensation of dry mouth often reported by cannabis users. This is because THC in weed seems to impact the salivary glands' cholinergic transmission.

One animal study showed that THC reduced basal arterial blood flow to the submaxillary gland by 47%. This significantly reduced electrically stimulated submandibular salivary flow in the dog studied in the experiment (i.e. it significantly reduced saliva production). The activation of cannabinoid receptors in the submandibular saliva glands also affects the consistency and composition of saliva.

Does CBD Cause Cotton Mouth?

CBD may cause cotton mouth. However, there isn’t currently conclusive scientific evidence to prove a link between the two. Some evidence suggests that CBD has no effect on saliva production alone and actually reverses the effects of THC.

For the moment at least, it seems the jury is out. Ultimately, each patient is different and may react differently to full-spectrum products as well as isolates like CBD.

How to Minimize Cotton Mouth Symptoms

Minimizing cotton mouth may be a question of consuming cannabis in lower doses or smaller portions. However, this may not be a solution for MMJ patients who purchase high doses with their current medical marijuana card in states where MMJ is legal like Arizona. Other approaches may therefore be necessary.

Try these tips to reduce cotton mouth if you're one of the many medical marijuana patients who experience it:

Stay well hydrated before and after consuming cannabis.
Some people find relief in chewing gum as it stimulates your mouth to produce saliva. Sugar-free gum (such as gum sweetened with xylitol) is best to avoid tooth decay.
Avoid other substances that dehydrate the body like alcohol or coffee, which are diuretics. Tobacco consumption also dries out the mouth.
Sucking on a lemon can stimulate saliva production. However, avoid excessive exposure to acidic fruits as they can erode your tooth enamel.
Consume water-dense fruits like watermelon or peaches to complement your cannabis use. This will hydrate you and is a much healthier option than indulging in high-sugar snacks.
Pop in a hard candy (preferably sugar-free) to help stimulate your salivary glands.
Use alcohol-free mouthwash: Some alcohol-free mouthwashes are designed to counter the effects of dry mouth.
Sip on herbal tea with lemon and honey to rehydrate and soothe a sore throat.

Remember that cannabis consumption doesn’t always result in dry mouth. Side effects associated with consuming weed differ significantly from person to person and don't necessarily correspond with the dose you take.

Try Alternative Treatment Methods

Try these alternative treatment methods to avoid issues with cotton mouth:

Juicing cannabis is a delicious and nutrient-rich way to consume cannabis in its raw form while staying hydrated.
Try cannabis topicals to enjoy the pain-relieving properties of THC without it entering the bloodstream and affecting your salivary glands.

Should I Be Worried About Cotton Mouth?

Cotton mouth is not generally harmful and is only a temporary side effect. Cotton mouth tends to resolve itself as the other effects of weed wear off. That said, persistent dry mouth could exacerbate oral health issues you already have.

Be especially cautious with dry mouth if you suffer from bad breath, tooth decay, or gum disease. Consult your dentist if you're concerned about cotton mouth or the effect it could have on any existing chronic oral health issues.

Avoid Dry Mouth Symptoms for the Best MMJ Experience

Cotton mouth is a common side effect of cannabis consumption, but it doesn't have to ruin your experience. Most people can manage this discomfort by staying hydrated and maintaining good oral hygiene.

If you're particularly bothered by cotton mouth, avoid cannabis consumption methods that exacerbate dry mouth symptoms. Using topicals (if relevant to your condition) will ensure a great experience that sidesteps unpleasant symptoms associated with cotton mouth.