Sore Throat From Smoking Weed? We found the solution

Toking can be very frustrating and unsatisfactory when it leads to irritating symptoms in a user’s throat. These symptoms include a persistent cough, a scratchy voice, and a painful and dry sore throat.

The occurrence of this irritation can vary depending on the type of cannabis smoked or the user’s tolerance to the irritant, smoke, which is common in this situation.

Several weed smokers have been discontinued due to the painful sore throat that occurred almost immediately after smoking a stick or two. It affects not only recreational cannabis smokers, but medical patients who use marijuana to relieve the symptoms of their ailments. In fact, some users had to stop using medicinal cannabis due to the developed sore throat. What the majority of users don’t know is that there are other ways you can try to relieve your sore throat and still get a chance to smoke even more.

Why cannabis users get a sore throat after smoking

When a person smokes, it results in a dry mouth and throat. This is because toxic chemicals are inhaled along with the tar present in the hot and dry air. These particles can irritate the throat. Research by the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIH) has found that the smoke inhaled while smoking cannabis contains “carcinogenic combustion products”. This is reason enough for users to develop a sore throat.

While the user can keep smoking if the throat is sore and irritated, it is not advisable to do so unless they take care of the irritation.

Photo by DESIGNECOLOGIST via Unsplash

If you are a new user or have just recently developed the irritation to a new strain and are feeling helpless, don’t fret. To help you with this, I’ve rounded up some solutions that can help relieve your sore throat and other symptoms the next time you smoke this unique strain.

Solutions for sore throats after smoking

Drink enough

Smoking dehydrates the throat and mouth – that is, it draws in and dries out the moisture that these tissues need.

Consumption of at least the recommended daily amount of H2O is required for regular smokers. However, you will need almost 50% of the recommended amount.

Smoking for hours without drinking water or other moisturizing liquids can have detrimental effects. The healthy lining of the throat sheds when moisture is not available, hence the painful pain in the throat, as well as the scratchy voice that develops.

RELATED: How to Stop Coughing So Hard From Marijuana Smoke

Regardless of the amount of smoking you plan on, stay hydrated with water.

Before smoking – drink water,

While smoking – drink water,

Drink water immediately after smoking.

Avoid spicy foods

Smoking marijuana results in a healthy appetite for experienced smokers. They either long for more pot or for food.

In this situation, you need to do well to avoid spicy meals for a sore throat.

The acidic nature of these hot spices could make inflammation worse. Chili peppers, hot sauces, and even nutmeg should be avoided.

Photo by Sarah Pflug on Burst

Rather, you should only eat and enjoy soothing meals. Like ramen, tomato juices and other soothing sauces can relieve pain and boost the immune system.

While it is common for you to crave more weed after smoking, eating these calming meals will help satisfy your cravings in some way.

So if you want to smoke, make sure your fridge is stocked with your favorite non-spicy dishes. Ice is also a better option if your throat stings after smoking.

Gargle with warm salt water

Saltwater gargle is an old but golden solution to throat infections. It is also an efficient solution for relieving sore throats.

Although it has bad taste, the relief it offers is well worth it.

You just need to warm up a little water, add a maximum of 5 tablespoons of salt and stir until the salt dissolves. Then gargle for at least 30 seconds before spitting out the water and gargling another one. Keep going until you feel better. The results can be viewed in a few minutes or a few hours at the most.

For cannabis users who don’t smoke at home or in a place where they can easily access salt and tap water, they tend to carry around a chloraseptic spray – much like salt water.

Photo by Mayara Klingner / EyeEm / Getty Images

Reduce the amount of cannabis consumed

This doesn’t mean you should quit cold turkey (that’s a bad idea). This means that you should reduce the number of sticks you smoke. However, if the sore throat turns out to be very bad, you may need to take a few days off. This would give the throat time to recover rather than degenerate into more serious problems.

RELATED: New To Smoking Marijuana? Expect cough, anxiety, and paranoia

By reducing how much or how often you smoke, you will help your neck tissues and sinuses stay hydrated and less irritated.

Other solutions include:

Lick honey or lemon.

Drink soothing herbal tea with fruits

Avoid caffeine or energy drinks

Change your usual place of smoking to a more airy place.

Buy a vaporizer or humidifier to help remove stale dry air in your homes.

Try another method of using cannabis – vaping and consuming food.

Photo by Itay Kabalo via Unsplash

Vaping: This is an unobtrusive way to enjoy the effects of the cannabinoid in a strain of marijuana. It’s also healthier as it doesn’t inhale dry / hot air. Though you may still ingest a little tar.

Edibles: Not everyone feels like smoking. Food is food product that has been infused with an active cannabinoid – it can be THC, CBD, or both. It’s the healthiest way to ingest weeds – no risk of breathing problems if they get high.

Bottom line

If you’ve adjusted and tried each of the solutions listed above and your throat has still not recovered – it’s still sore and the pain persists – it may be an indication of an underlying medical condition. If so, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and was republished with permission.