Have you ever wondered why cannabis makes you feel so parched? We have the answer, plus three hacks to keep cottonmouth at bay.
Cottonmouth is one of the most famous side effects of cannabis consumption. A grainy tongue and difficulty swallowing isn’t fun for anyone, especially when you’re about to dive into some delicious carby munchies after a few puffs of some pungent flower. But, why does cannabis give you cottonmouth? Surprisingly, the answer is more straightforward than it might seem.
Why does cannabis give you cottonmouth?
Cannabis gives you cottonmouth because compounds in the herb interact with cells that control saliva secretion. When inhaled, the primary psychoactive in the herb, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), connects with special cell sites called cannabinoid receptors.
THC is one of a group of over 100 different chemical compounds in the cannabis plant called cannabinoids.
Different types of these receptors are found throughout the brain and body. It’s the interaction between chemicals in the cannabis plant and these receptors that produce the therapeutic and psychoactive effects in cannabis.
There are cannabinoid receptors on the salivary glands in the mouth. When inhaled, smoke or vapor containing cannabinoids and beneficial aroma molecules called terpenoids interacts with the tissue in the mouth first, prior to being absorbed by the lungs and taken into the bloodstream.
When compounds like THC engage with cannabinoid receptors in the mouth, they reduce the flow of saliva and give you cottonmouth.
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