Cannabis is enjoyed by many due to its recreational effects. It provides a high that is very enjoyable and helps people relax after a day of stress and hard work. However, cannabis can also be used to treat different illnesses and conditions. People smoke weed to reduce stress, boost the immune system, and even lower anxiety and depression. With all that said, there are still adverse effects that might come when people smoke too much weed. Effects such as dry eyes, dry mouth, and sore throat are becoming a thing. But, can you get a sore throat from smoking weed?
In this post, we discuss the effects of smoking weed and if it does result in the sore throat from smoking weed.
What Are Cannabis and What Are Its Effects?
It is undeniable that smoking cannabis is purely a joy to do. It brings a sense of calm and relaxed feeling that you get to feel better about yourself. These are just a few of the effects that you get right after smoking weed. Apart from that, the euphoric high and the stress-relieving properties work their way into your body to make sure that you feel good for the next few hours.
But what is cannabis, and how does it manage to do that? Cannabis is a plant that is filled with natural compounds called cannabinoids. These cannabinoids have an effect on the human body through the endocannabinoid system, like pain relief and stress management. One of the major and very popular cannabinoids is THC. THC is the compound that gets you high. With enough THC content on a specific strain of cannabis, the high can last for several hours. This means that you get to enjoy the effects of weed for that duration.
However, not everything is good as it seems. When people start to abuse this natural substance, things begin to take an odd turn. Adverse effects begin to happen, and the body reacts negatively to the overwhelming barrage of compounds within the system. This is the reason why you often get dry red eyes and dry mouth when you smoke with. Some people even experience panic attacks and paranoia when they take too much weed. Some studies show that weed can cause a dependency that would lead to addiction.
Can You Get Sore Throat From Smoking Weed?
Just like tobacco and cigarettes, smoking weed can cause dryness and irritation to the throat and nasal passages. This irritation and dryness can lead to an infection that causes sore throat. Cannabinoids are notorious for reducing the production of saliva and mucous membrane in the mouth, thus limiting the lubrication of the throat and nasal passages. This leads to the dryness you experience after a heavy session with weed. This also exacerbates the irritants that are found in smoke, thus causing the sore throat we experience when we smoke weed.
How To Avoid Sore Throat While Smoking Weed
While there is no other way to avoid sore throat from smoking weed apart from abstinence, there are still other things that you can do to minimize the onset of the condition and ensure that you still have the best possible time when you smoke marijuana.
1. Always stay hydrated when you are smoking weed. Weed is notorious when it comes to dehydration. Drinking fluids like tea and juice when smoking is a good way to combat the onset of sore throat. Drinking water before, after, and while you are smoking helps make sure that your body is hydrated at all times. Make sure to avoid drinking beverages with caffeine or alcohol when smoking weed as it amplifies the effects of dehydration.
2. The environment where you smoke also plays a huge impact on the mucous lining of your throat. A dry environment would immediately evaporate the moisture from your passageway, which later on causes sore throat. If you are smoking outdoors, make sure to move inside a more conducive environment. If you are within the four walls of your home, invest in a humidifier to add moisture in the air and open up your windows to let the cool fresh air in and the dry air out. Proper air circulation is key to preventing sore throat.
3. The most common and the best way to prevent a sore throat from smoking weed is to take a break. If you have been suffering from sore throat every time you smoke weed, then it is time to take a break in between and let your throat rest for a while. The persistent onset of the condition should let you know that your body is not well-suited for the continuous use of cannabis. It is telling you to pace yourself properly and avoid smoking too much weed at one go.
4. Another way of enjoying weed without having a sore throat is to find other ways to consume weed like edibles. You can choose from a wide variety of edibles such as cannabutter or cannabis oil and infuse them to your food or ingredient to your dishes. This way, you still get to enjoy weed without having to smoke it and irritate your throat and lungs.
Although edibles come as desserts and sweets, which also causes sore throat, it is less likely to dry and irritate your throat. It also takes a while for the effects to come online; hence you will have to wait in between each session to enjoy the effects. This can also mean that people might tend to eat more than what is recommended, thus causing sore throat in the process. The key here is to take control of the way you consume weed.
Conclusion
Smoking marijuana has always been known to cause a lot of health benefits, but not all that glitters is gold. You can still suffer from adverse reactions to smoking a lot of weed, especially those who abuse its recreational properties. The best way to avoid sore throat from smoking weed is to follow the steps mentioned above and make sure to regulate and control the way you consume weed. Be a responsible smoker, and you get to enjoy all the good things with weed.
