Does CBD Make You Thirsty?
Anything you consume may have side effects, and that includes CBD (cannabidiol). There are two common questions people ask. Does CBD cause thirst? Can CBD dehydrate you? Some people experience cottonmouth after taking CBD, and researchers have suggested it may be due to how the endocannabinoid system affects the salivary glands in the mouth. The following sections explore what is known today concerning CBD and saliva production.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read):
CBD does not cause thirst, but it can lead to dry mouth, however there is limited research on CBD’s effects on the salivary glands. Some research indicates CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system leads to saliva suppression. Other research suggests THC causes dry mouth, and CBD inhibits the THC effects. It is important to always stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids each day. You can take other steps to avoid dry mouth and feeling thirsty while taking CBD, like avoiding caffeine and spicy foods and consuming beverages.
Table of Contents
Can CBD Cause Thirst?
It is important to understand that dry mouth (xerostomia) and thirst are different conditions. A dry mouth is a condition in which the mouth’s salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to moisten the mouth.
Thirst is the natural instinct to drink fluids. Researchers discovered the brain senses the body’s salt and water balance. When specific neurons in the hypothalamus and associated structures are activated, a sense of being thirsty develops.
What is the effect of CBD? Does it cause dry mouth, thirst or both? CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a regulatory system, and one of the functions it regulates is saliva production. Researchers believe CBD causes cottonmouth, which makes you think you are thirsty, because it affects ECS signaling via its effect on CB1 and CB2 receptors. The saliva glands (submandibular glands) contain ECS receptors, and CBD appears to decrease saliva production. A separate study reported similar results.
More research is needed on the effect of CBD on THC because THC has been linked to changes in salivation. The question is whether CBD alters salivation or blocks THC from causing mouth dryness. Full spectrum CBD has up to 0.3% THC. There are many THC free broad spectrum CBD products also available.
Why You Might Feel Thirsty After Taking CBD?
People report that one of the side effects of CBD is thirst. However, CBD does not cause a fluid imbalance. Dry mouth can make you feel thirsty because the glands and their ECS receptors signal the brain that saliva production is decreased. The brain responds by creating a thirst sensation, leading you to drink water to reduce the sensation.
As discussed, researchers are investigating whether CBD directly affects saliva production. If saliva production is reduced, a feeling of thirst develops.
How to Stay Hydrated with CBD?
There is a CBD dehydration myth. The myth is that CBD can cause dehydration. You are dehydrated when your body loses more fluid than it is taking in. It usually develops due to heavy sweating, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing diarrhea or vomiting. CBD does not cause fluid loss or a body fluid imbalance, so it does not cause dehydration.
However, by staying hydrated, you can effectively manage dry mouth and maintain a proper fluid balance. Here are some steps you can take to stay hydrated with CBD and manage thirst after CBD.
➥ Drink the recommended amount of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, while being mindful of activities that cause excessive sweating, like exercise and working in the sun. Some people need more fluid than others.
The recommended minimum amount of water to drink daily is 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women, adjusted down by the amount of other fluids consumed.
➥ If you are experiencing dry mouth after taking full spectrum CBD, which has THC, consider switching to broad spectrum CBD that is THC-free or isolate CBD, which is pure CBD.
➥ Drink a fluid when you take CBD. Drink water or fruit juice simultaneously if you take oils, capsules or gummies during the day.
➥ Avoid drinking beverages with caffeine or eating spicy or salty foods because they contribute to dry mouth.
➥ Learn to recognize the signs of dehydration, so you can hydrate before taking CBD. Some symptoms of dehydration include dark urine, dizziness and unrelenting thirst.
➥ Consume your CBD by drinking beverages. Products include CBD teas, coffee and hot chocolate.
➥ Chew sugar-free gum or dried fruit because chewing may stimulate saliva production.
➥ Avoid alcohol and tobacco which can cause dry mouth.
➥ If experiencing dry mouth at night, use a humidifier.
If your dry mouth persists despite taking any of these steps while consuming CBD, there may be other reasons you are experiencing dry mouth. Some prescription medicines and diseases can cause dry mouth. You should talk to your doctor and share your symptoms.
Pay Attention to Your Body’s Signals
There is still so much to learn about CBD’s effect on saliva production. Do you find yourself asking, “Does CBD make my mouth dry?” If so, the first step is evaluating whether you are staying properly hydrated. Approximately 75% of Americans do not drink enough water daily to stay hydrated. One of the symptoms of inadequate water in the body is feeling thirsty. When taking CBD, it is important to maintain your general health to have the best experience possible.
Sources
- https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/scientists-identify-thirst-controlling-neurons
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9391487/
- https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/15/8329
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-17987-2
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-much-water-should-you-drink
- https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/dry-mouth
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