Is Dry Mouth or Cottonmouth a Side Effect of Cannabis?

Saliva plays a crucial role in the oral cavity. It helps digest food and maintain a healthy balance of bacterial flora in the mouth. The daily production of saliva normally ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 liters in healthy individuals. A lack of this salivary production, known as dry mouth, can lead to significant discomfort and potentially, oral health problems. Cannabis can cause dry mouth, which can lead to discomfort and oral health issues.

What is Cottonmouth?

Cottonmouth is a term that describes symptoms of dry mouth or xerostomia. Many people suffer from dry mouth and it is a common condition. 1 in 4 people experience xerostomia as a result of medications, COVID-19, Sjögren’s Disease, and others. Some side effects of cottonmouth are:

Cracked lips
Open sores in the mouth
Dry, red tongue
Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
Poor dental hygiene
Increased plaque
Tooth decay
Gum Disease

Common Causes of Dry Mouth

Dry Mouth or cottonmouth can be caused by the following medical and non-medical conditions:

Frequent cannabis use
Dehydration
Medication side effects
Natural Aging
Pregnancy & hormonal changes
Tobacco and alcohol use
Increased caffeine intake

Can Cannabis Use Cause Cottonmouth?

Even though more research is ongoing regarding the effects of Cannabis use, we know that dry mouth is a side effect of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – the primary active compounds or cannabinoids, found in Cannabis plants. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the salivary glands, causing them to be temporarily hypoactive. When this occurs, signaling from the brain that normally tells the salivary glands in the oral cavity to reduce the production of saliva resulting in dry mouth or cottonmouth.

The Connection Between Cottonmouth & Cannabis

Our body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS), consisting of naturally occurring cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors, and has many functions within the body. Cannabinoid receptors are found on the submandibular glands, a pair of glands located beneath the floor of the mouth that are responsible for producing about 70% of our saliva.

Hence when Cannabis is ingested or inhaled, the cannabinoids in Cannabis bind to the cannabinoid receptors on the salivary glands, blocking it from sending messages to the parasympathetic nervous system. In other words, your nervous system fails to receive a message to maintain adequate salivary flow, leading to dry mouth. Therefore, cannabis usage may temporarily cause xerostomia or dry mouth.

As you can see, cottonmouth is, in fact, a common side-effect of Cannabis.

Dry mouth (xerostomia) in this case, is dose-dependent, meaning it becomes stronger with heavier Cannabis use. People commonly experience cottonmouth with ingestion and vaporization of Cannabis, without inhalation of smoke, because THC directly affects the salivary glands.

What Can You Do to Treat Cottonmouth?

Cannabis-associated cottonmouth can be quite uncomfortable. There are several home remedies that you can try to ease your symptoms, namely:

Drink more water
Xylitol gum
Reduce the use of Cannabis (as Cottonmouth is dose-dependent)
Avoid alcohol (including in mouthwash)
Reduce caffeine intake
Reduce tobacco use
Try Natural Dry Mouth Spray, Lubricity!

What is Lubricity?

Lubricity is an odorless, flavorless, and colorless spray that is perfect for people who are overly sensitive to taste. Our Dry Mouth Spray also has Zero Calories, NO Gluten, NO Alcohol, NO Sugar, and is Vegan-Friendly!

Lubricity Dry Mouth Spray has 5 simple ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Xylitol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, and Purified Water. This simple formula is clinically proven to alleviate your dry mouth symptoms for up to 4 hours.

How To use Lubricity?

Lubricity Dry Mouth Spray comes in a convenient 0.5 oz and 2oz spray bottle. Simply point and spray 3-5 times per use. When used as directed, Lubricity provides up to 4 hours of relief from dry mouth symptoms.

For best results, we recommend using Lubricity Dry Mouth Spray as follows:

Use Lubricity after a meal and before bed. If needed, Lubricity can be used more than 4 times per day. *Some may need 3-5 pumps per use, as the bottle needs to be primed upon opening. Relief from symptoms begins immediately. Maximum effectiveness is achieved after 72 hours of continued use.