Sore Throat After Smoking? Here’s the Solution
Cannabis is a plant that is treasured by most, for various reasons including medicinal benefits. With thousands of strains to pick from and different ways to consume marijuana, you can always pick the experience that pleases you the most.
If you love consuming marijuana by smoking, one of the challenges that you will have to put up with is a sore and irritated throat. As you can expect, the irritations that come with a sore throat make the smoking experience less enjoyable.
The good thing is that there are various solutions that you can use to get relief so that you are ready for your next smoking session.
Does smoking marijuana always cause a sore throat?
No. Smoking marijuana will only lead to a sore throat when you are exposed to irritants such as heat, smoke, or dust. When exposed to these irritants over an extended period of time, the tissue in your airway becomes inflamed which is what leads to a sore throat.
As such, smoking marijuana does not mean that you will always end up with a sore throat. It's only when you are exposed to the irritants in smoke over an extended period, that you increase your risk of getting a sore throat.
How can you get relief from a post-smoking sore throat?
If you have been using cannabis for a long time now, there is a high likelihood that you have enough experience in dealing with sore throats whenever they arise. That, however, does not mean that there is nothing new to learn.
You might come across a new tip that works better than what you thought was the most effective solution. For beginners, there are plenty of solutions to learn about, so let's get started.
1. Water - But of course!
This is one of the most obvious solutions to a post-smoking sore throat. While it does not work for all people, drinking lots of water can provide you with instant relief.
Take about 6 to 12 glasses of water every day. If you are not sure about how much is too much, simply drink based on your thirst. Taking water before and after smoking does a great job of reducing the chances of getting a sore throat. And the best part? It's free and good for your overall health.
2. Gargle with saltwater
If you are suffering from an intense sore throat, it is best that you go for gargling instead of drinking plain water. Saltwater has natural anti-inflammatory properties which can help to relax the tissues in your airway.
The good old saltwater gargle works for smoking-related sore throats just like it works for normal sore throats. Even though you might not like the taste, you only have to do it a few times for relief.
When gargling with salt water, you can also opt to add a little bit of lemon juice as well. The acidic content in the lemon juice helps to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria that cause sore throats.
3. Eat soothing foods
Although it is not the most practical solution, eating certain foods can help soothe your throat. From warm soups to ice cream, there are lots of soothing foods that will work wonders for a smoking-related sore throat.
The warmth of the food, for instance, will help to coat your throat and relieve the discomfort.
4. Add some moisture into the air
Indoor marijuana smokers are especially at risk of suffering from a sore throat after smoking. This is because the dry air in homes does not provide enough moisture for your throat to stay healthy.
As such, you want to add some moisture into the air by running a humidifier or steaming up the bathroom while taking a hot shower. The moisture in the air will reduce the chances of exposing your throat to hot and dry air which when combined with smoking, almost always causes a sore throat.
For post-smoking sore throats, you can also run a humidifier at night before going to bed. You should hopefully notice some improvement when you wake up.
5. Take a step back
If you do not want to go through the tedious process of finding out which solution works best for your sore throat, then taking some time off is definitely the easiest solution.
You see, many people will continue smoking after they develop a sore throat because it reduces their symptoms.
Instead of doing that, try stepping back from marijuana so that your throat can heal. You may not like it, but it will make it a lot easier to deal with the discomfort of a sore throat when you are not exposed to irritants in smoke on a daily basis.
6. Explore other options for consuming marijuana
Smoking is undoubtedly the most popular way of consuming cannabis. However, it can be rough on your throat, and this might cause a sore throat. There are other forms of cannabis consumption, however, that don't have this disadvantage.
Here are the main options that you should consider:
- Vaping: In addition to offering you a more discreet way of CBD and THC consumption, vaping is a lot easier on your throat. The vapor will be considerably cooler before it hits your throat, which eliminates sore throats related to the harshness of hot air.
- Edibles: Edibles are another form of marijuana that is less harsh on your throat. You can find a wide variety of THC and CBD edibles, but always keep in mind that they take longer to kick in.
- Topicals: Topicals offer the perfect way for you to treat soreness with cannabis without consuming any psychoactive compounds.
- Sprays: You can also opt for a CBD or THC spray which will be absorbed into your system through the mucous membrane in the mouth and throat. As such, you won't have to worry about any psychoactive effects from consuming these sprays.
In general, it is safe to say that there are many options for you to prevent sore throats after smoking marijuana.
Always remember that different people will have varying results with these various methods, so don't give up too quickly if the first one doesn't work out for you.
To sum up,
The main takeaway is that there are many ways for you to relieve your sore throat without resorting to harsh chemicals like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Instead of taking a pill, why not try some soothing foods and drinks to address the problem? Remember that your sore throat is a direct result of your smoking habits, so you want to find a solution that addresses the root problem without harming your body in any way.
Also keep in mind that if you have to smoke, it's always a good idea to listen to your body. Don't smoke more than your body can handle. We hope you stay healthy.