Tips How to Handle Cottonmouth

 Most marijuana users do cope with the occasional cottonmouth. Naturally, cannabis firstly “attacks” the mouth when you smoke or ingest, and then it spreads throughout the body interacting with other body receptors. Upon entering the mouth, cannabis activates cannabinoid receptors which in turn inhibit the salivary secretion in the submandibular glands. Basically, each time you ingest THC and CBD, it triggers a process in the mouth that interrupts the salivary flow. The end result of this process is cottonmouth.  Terpenes it appears have a special role to reinforce this entire process which leads to sometimes extremely annoying dry mouth sensation. Regardless if you like this feeling or not, see it as a good sign because it means the weed is good, it's working. It’s also something that reminds you of how important saliva is. Saliva does not serve only for spitting as a gesture of dissatisfaction at a sports match or a bitter quarrel between old school mobsters. Actually, it has an important function in the mouth: it moistens the mouth for comfort, lubricates as you chew and swallow and neutralizes harmful acids. It also kills germs, prevents bad breath, defends against tooth decay and gum disease, protects the enamel and speeds up wound healing. Smoking pot can drench the mouth. But to avoid the unpleasant familiar feeling in the mouth, there are certain things you can do, and all of those things are quite simple. 

What to Do About Cottonmouth? Drink Lots of Water

You’ve heard it all before. There's no better way to hydrate your mouth than drink a glass of water. Drink water before and after your smoking session. If you want even better refreshment: squeeze some lemon in the water. Lemon is also really good for when you're flying too high, for when you smoke too much and need something to calm down a bit. In that case, chew some lemon to get down on earth. But most importantly, always have water at reach whenever you have a joint at reach. 

Candy or Lollipop

Water is a MUST, but if you are somewhere where you can’t drink like a camel and then visit the toilet regularly, the quick aid is candy mint or caramel. Sugar-free or regular sweet candy will do. Sucking on the candy or a lollipop has the same effect as chewing. It will increase saliva production to help you reduce dryness in the mouth. On the bright side, candy can also postpone the food cravings after smoking, and it’s so easy to put anywhere in your pocket or bag.

Nose Breathing

Breath in and out through your nose. It’s not only meditative, but it will keep your mouth moist. Avoid breathing with an open mouth after smoking because it will only make your mouth drier.

Humidifier

It can really help you keep the air quality in your room, especially in the winter season. Waking up in the middle of the night with a sore throat because you smoked pot is not fun at all. Humidifiers can reduce the level of dryness in your mouth by keeping the air moist even more if you fog in the same room where you sleep. Of course, if you only have one humidifier that you use for your grow room, look for another solution.

Mouthwash

You can profit double from this: fresh breath and no more dry mouth. There are even some products on the market specifically designed to prevent and treat dryness. And your partner will be grateful too!

Cough Medicine

If candies or lollipops aren’t helpful, try and use demulcent cough drops to treat your cottonmouth. You can easily get some over the counter. What they do is coat the mucous membranes with a moist film, which can prevent or help get rid of the dry spell in your mouth.

Herbal Tea

Herbal teas will not only help you get rid of cottonmouth but also from sore and irritated throat from smoking. A bit of honey and lemon or milk, and it’s the real deal for your wellbeing. If you have the habit to drink tea, you can easily adjust it with pot smoking. 

Cottonmouth Persists?

When cottonmouth persists, there are few extra things you can do. Introduce these dietary changes for some period of time and see if it helps your issue. One, avoid anything caffeine-based, including black teas and green teas, as this type of beverages might sometimes dry your mouth even more. Second, choose healthy snacks for munchies after smoking, such as hummus and carrot. Avoid everything overly salty and crispy as it may add fuel to your cottonmouth. Third, cut down on alcohol and tobacco as these are the substances that can really augment cottonmouth sensation.  Cottonmouth can be unpleasant, but with regular hydration and good nutrition, you should really be able to mitigate it.