Cannabis (CBD) consumption is currently legal for medicinal purposes widely in the UK, provided it has been EU-approved. CBD Dry Mouth is a chemical found in marijuana that does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in the cannabis plant that produces a certain high. Anecdotally, prescription cannabidiol oil has been identified by numerous researchers to be an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, diabetes, and dental anxiety. This claim has been backed by the Harvard Medical School which reiterates its health benefits.
By understanding the potential for CBD Dry Mouth, users are better equipped to maintain proper hydration levels.
Currently, the only CBD (derived from an industrial hemp strain) that has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a prescription cannabidiol oral solution called Epidyolex. Although CBD usage has been seeing a persistent rise in users, it cannot be disregarded that cannabis or CBD may be responsible for one of the most common and potentially deteriorative oral problems, dry mouth.
Does CBD Cause Dry Mouth?
To alleviate CBD Dry Mouth, oral hydration practices are often adopted.
CBD has been condemned by many to be a prime culprit of dry mouth. A common complaint among cannabis users is the unpleasant feeling of a dry or sticky mouth, often referred to as cottonmouth or “the pasties” that does not go away. Cottonmouth (also known as dry mouth or clinically called xerostomia) is usually not a major issue when you limit the use of cannabis. However, the intensity of oral health problems may significantly rise with the increased intake of cannabis.
Some of the commonly occurring symptoms of cottonmouth are:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Persistent thirst
- Hoarseness of voice and sore throat
- Inflamed, red tongue
- Cracked lips
- Tingling or burning sensation in the mouth
- Red, swollen, tender, bleeding gums (gingivitis)
- Sores at the corners of the mouth
- Mouth ulcers and canker sores
Is CBD Safe To Use?
CBD oil is typically advocated by pharmaceuticals as a health supplement. The NCBI published a review paper on the safety and side effects of cannabidiol that demonstrates that controlled CBD administration is safe and non-toxic in humans and animals. It also does not induce changes in food intake nor does it affect physiological parameters like heart rate, body temperature, or blood pressure. High doses of up to 1,600 mg/day of CBD Dry Mouth have been reportedly well-tolerated in humans.
Furthermore, CBD is generally not habit-forming. According to a report by the World Health Organization, “CBD appears to have little effect on conditioned place preference or intracranial self-stimulation… [It] exhibits no effect indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.”
The Science Behind CBD-Induced Dry Mouth
It’s important to note that dry mouth might occur while using CBD, but ensuring adequate water intake can help mitigate this effect. Originally dry mouth associated with CBD consumption was attributed to the harsh smoke irrigating the permeable oral membranes to irritate and decrease salivary flow, but upon rigorous studies, it has been understood that the natural response of the salivary glands to CBD components factors in much of the cause for dry mouth. Cannabinoids, the active components in cannabis, interact with the human Endocannabinoid System (ECS), a complex biological network of receptors and neurotransmitters distributed all over the body. The ECS regulates different cognitive and physiological processes in the body.
Our submandibular salivary glands (located under the jaw bone) are responsible for 70% of healthy saliva production in the mouth. These glands contain cannabinoid receptors to which cannabinoids begin to bind when you imbibe cannabis or CBD Dry Mouth. This prevents your ECS from communicating with your parasympathetic nervous system to institute active saliva production. This causes poor saliva production in the mouth with the use of CBD.
Remedies Of CBD Dry Mouth
Cannabis frequenters may be used to feeling a little parched when smoking or doing edibles. However, proper caution must be taken to de-escalate this seemingly minute dental issue before it proliferates into something critical.
American Marijuana published an article directing CBD Dry Mouth users to follow these remedies for cottonmouth:
- Sip water, ideally through a straw to keep yourself hydrated.
- Chew St Andrew’s Trust xylitol infused dry mouth chewing gum to stimulate saliva production.
- Chew on dry fruits, citrus fruits, or beef jerky to increase saliva production.
- Use tablets and toothpaste that promote saliva production. Try St Andrew’s Trust Dry Mouth Lozenges or toothpaste to get rid of your dry mouth.
- Suck on a lollipop, take a cough drop or some hard candy.
- Try demulcent cough drops that coat the mucous membranes with a moist film to prevent the feeling of dry mouth.
- Drink herbal teas to rid yourself of a sore or irritated throat.
Avoid these foods if you have a dry mouth
- Black and green teas (anything containing caffeine) can dry your mouth further
- Salty crackers and snacks may worsen Cottonmouth
- Alcohol causes dehydration, further drying out the mouth
- Tobacco products can lead to lowered saliva production
Conclusion
CBD can cause dry mouth because it interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the salivary glands. There are reports of individuals experiencing CBD Dry Mouth occasionally when using CBD. When you use sublingual forms of CBD (oils and sprays) or inhale it (CBD joints and vapes), these supplements can trigger some side effects, such as a dry mouth feeling. Usually, the higher the dose, the more pronounced this reaction will be.
Make sure to use clean CBD products, chew gum, eat fruit, and hydrate yourself to prevent and reduce the intensity of dry mouth. No matter which form of CBD Dry Mouth you go with, always check if your product has an up-to-date certificate of analysis. Doing so will help you verify its potency and purity — minimizing the risk of ingesting any dangerous chemicals that could exacerbate the dry mouth or cause side effects unrelated to CBD oil.