Cottonmouth

Cottonmouth, or by the clinical name xerostomia, refers to the common subjective sensation of pronounced dryness, weird thickness and general lack of saliva production in the mouth and throat that can accompany consumption of cannabis using various methods. The inside of the mouth basically feels like it has been stuffed with dry cotton balls and the user finds themselves unable to readily work up or produce any actual saliva on demand to alleviate the parched feeling. This phenomenon can occur because THC and other cannabinoids overstimulate CB1 and CB2 receptors concentrated in the submandibular salivary glands, dramatically reducing saliva output which normally keeps tissues moisturized.

While not at all dangerous or life-threatening in itself, cottonmouth or any prolonged state of oral dryness can significantly increase your risk of experiencing dental issues, bad breath and gum inflammation if not properly mitigated with adequate hydration and moisture. So be sure to stay proactively hydrated and consider using specialized oral saliva-boosting sprays and gums to effectively combat the dreaded cottonmouth condition. Cottonmouth is a very common minor side effect, especially from smoking or vaporizing cannabis when a hot dry vapor stream passes constantly over all the sensitive mucosal tissue in the mouth for duration of a session. Have bottled water on hand always and consider choosing certain strains and methods of consumption that tend to be less frequently associated with cottonmouth reports.