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Beginners, Dry Herb & Flower

Cottonmouth Blues: How to Beat That Dry Mouth Feeling After Vaping

Posted on by DanA
20
Aug
Table of Contents

We’ve all been there: you’re enjoying a blissful flower vape session, only to find your mouth feeling like the Sahara Desert. That dry, sticky, “cottonmouth” sensation is a common side effect of cannabis, and it can definitely put a damper on the good vibes.

For example, I get hella cottonmouth every time I vape or smoke, and I hate it. Not only does it NOT FEEL GOOD, it makes me hyperfocus on my mouth and lips. I don’t know if you ever had this happen to you in company, but I find it makes me ‘feel’ and act dumber – I’m constantly thinking about how dry my mouth feels, fumbling words, and generally presenting like a kid who’s got his entire face covered in cotton candy, smacking my lips and grinning stupidly.

So yeah, I had to find ways to fix my cottonmouth a long time ago, and the advice I dish out in this post is everything that’s worked for me in the past. The biggest one for me is the type of strain that I choose – I’ll share my favorite strains that don’t rob me of my saliva below.

Buttom line – cottonmouth or hyposalivation, meaning lowered produtction of saliva, is temporary and easily managed in most cases. All it takes is some pre-session planning and follow through.

If you’ve been battling with it, read on for some tried-and-true remedies to get your saliva flowing.

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Hydrate Like a Boss: Your First Line of Defense

We all know water is essential, but when it comes to battling cottonmouth, it’s your ultimate weapon. In my vast experience, how much you hydrate in general has a profound impact on the severeness of cottonmouth, so make sure that your water intake game is good throughout the day.

  • Before: Start hydrating before you even take that first puff. This pre-game hydration sets the stage for a smooth and comfortable experience.
  • During: Keep a water bottle handy and sip on it throughout your session – water keeps those saliva glands flowing.
  • After: Don’t stop hydrating once you’ve put the vape down. Continue sipping water to replenish lost fluids. Make it a part of your session routine.

Pro Tip: Upgrade your hydration game by adding a pinch of salt to your water. A lot of people recommend Himalayan salt, but I’m not that picky. Regular salt with do the trick and help your body absorb fluids more efficiently, keeping you feeling refreshed and hydrated longer.

Snack Smart to Beat Cottonmouth (& Munchies)

Tokers are their worst enemies when it comes to cottonmouth. At least, I know I am. For years, I’d get these munchies that compelled me to snack on dry, salty things, which made my cottonmouth worse.

Those days are long gone.

Today, when I vape or smoke and I anticipate the munchies, I prepare treats that fall into three broad categories – fruit and vegetable, frozen treats, and savory delish with a twist.

  • Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumbers, and citrus fruits are packed with water and ectrolytes, offering a refreshing boost to your hydration levels. Plus, they’re a delicious way to curb those sweet or salty cravings.

  • Reach for sugar-free popsicles or frozen yogurt for a sweet and refreshing treat that’ll keep your mouth happy. Bonus points for choosing flavors with a touch of citrus or mint for an extra refreshing kick.

  • If you’re craving something salty, opt for hydrating snacks like pickles, olives, or even a bowl of broth-based soup.

Remember, the key is to choose snacks that are both satisfying and hydrating. Olives and pickles are what work for me most of the time. Experiment until you find something that you’re happy with.

[Recommended reading: How to Stop Feeling Hungry When You’re High]

Choose Strains That Don’t Mess With Your Saliva Production

While cottonmouth can be a common side effect of cannabis consumption, some strains tend to be gentler on your saliva glands. Here are a few varieties known for producing less cottonmouth:

  • Grandaddy Purple: This iconic indica-dominant strain is famous for its relaxing effects and grape-like aroma. Its high myrcene content, a terpene known for its sedative and muscle-relaxant properties, might also contribute to reduced cottonmouth.

  • Blue Dream: A popular sativa-dominant hybrid, Blue Dream offers a balanced high with a sweet berry aroma. Its relatively low THC content and high levels of pinene (a terpene found in pine needles) may help keep your mouth feeling less dry.

  • Harlequin: This high-CBD strain is prized for its therapeutic benefits and minimal psychoactive effects. With a 5:2 CBD to THC ratio, Harlequin is often used to manage pain, anxiety, and inflammation, and it tends to be less likely to induce cottonmouth.

  • ACDC: Another high-CBD strain, ACDC boasts a whopping 20:1 CBD to THC ratio, making it a popular choice for those seeking relief without the intoxicating effects of THC. Its potential to reduce anxiety and inflammation may also contribute to decreased cottonmouth.

  • Cannatonic: This balanced hybrid strain offers a mild, relaxing high with a focus on CBD’s therapeutic benefits. Its low THC content and relatively high levels of beta-caryophyllene (a terpene found in black pepper) may also help mitigate cottonmouth.

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Lifestyle Tweaks: Little Habits, Big Impact

Sometimes, a few simple lifestyle tweaks can make all the difference in fighting cottonmouth.

In my case, it meant reducing the amount of coffee I drink every day. I’ve ditched alcohol a long time ago, but it falls into this same category of dehydrators.

Caffeine and alcohol are your mouth’s worst enemies when it comes to dryness – there’s plenty of research out there that shows coffee to decrease saliva production significantly. Try swapping that coffee for herbal tea or a refreshing juice, and save the cocktails for another time.

Also, I’m now very aware of how I breathe when I vape or smoke. I try to do it through the nose as it helps stimulate saliva production. It takes some getting used to, but between nose-based breathing, hydration, and a lozenge or two, I can pretty much guarantee plentiful saliva production even during serious sessions.

… if you have one.
If there’s one thing I hate, is advice that comes with a price tag. Humidifier is a great way to add some moisture to your air so it keeps your nasal passages and your mouth out of the Sahara desert zone, but it’s not worth getting as fix for cottonmouth alone. It moves the needle a bit… but not by a lot.
I have one, and while helpful, I don’t use it as much if I have my water and fruity snacks on the ready. My guess you’d be the same.
Anyway, yes – cottonmouth is a pain. Not a huge one… but it’s a pebble in a shoe of an otherwise awesome toke session. You can fix it by following my advice above and committing to these five things:
  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – through a straw!
  • Choose your cannabis strains wisely
  • Avoid cannabis and alcohol during your sessions
  • Choose moist and refreshing snacks
  • Go ahead and use a humidifier if you have one

Go now – toke and make your salivary glands happy!

Looking for something to clog up those salivatory glands first?

Our new OG Jams bundle comes with a gift of delicious & potent THC-A flower.

OG jams and THCa flower

Click here to shop OG Jams get #KIND THC-A flower (3.5G) for FREE

DanA

As a vaper since 2013, I cut my vape teeth on 1st generation vape devices and have followed the industry's growth ever since (from squonk mods to disposables... and everything in between. I'm also a canna grower - geeking out over terpenes and cannabinoids is my idea of a fun weekend. When I'm not tending to buds and chillaxing, you'll find me half way up a mountain or hanging out at vape and cannabis expos all over the world.

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