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VapeHeatLabCottonmouth
Dry mouth caused by cannabis reducing saliva production, one of the most common side effects of cannabis use.
Cottonmouth, medically known as xerostomia, is the dry, parched feeling in the mouth that is one of the most common side effects of cannabis consumption. Nearly every cannabis consumer has experienced it: a sensation of dryness where the tongue feels rough, the mouth feels sticky, and the intense urge to drink something becomes overwhelming.
Why Cannabis Causes Dry Mouth
Cottonmouth occurs because THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the submandibular glands, the salivary glands responsible for producing the majority of saliva. A study published in Experimental Biology and Medicine confirmed that these glands contain CB1 and CB2 receptors, and when THC activates them, saliva production is temporarily suppressed. This effect is not caused by smoke drying out the mouth (it also occurs with edibles, tinctures, and other non-smoked methods), confirming it is a pharmacological response rather than a physical one.
Remedies
Stay hydrated before, during, and after consumption. Sipping water regularly is the simplest remedy. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on hard candy stimulates saliva production. Alcohol-free mouthwashes designed for dry mouth can provide temporary relief. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which increase dehydration. Some consumers find that certain strains or consumption methods produce less cottonmouth than others, though the effect is hard to avoid entirely with any significant THC dose. While uncomfortable, cottonmouth is harmless and resolves completely as the cannabis effects wear off.