Coughing is a typical consequence of smoking weed, no matter how unpleasant or bothersome it may be. You’ll learn why marijuana makes you cough and what you can do about it in this article.
Why does weed smoke make you cough?
According to Dr. Melanie Bone, a board-certified OB-GYN and cannabis specialist, coughing when smoking marijuana has a clear anatomical cause. “Coughing is, in fact, a defensive mechanism for the lungs and air tubes that bring air down to them to open up and expel irritants,” she added.
In a sense, coughing is the body’s natural way of removing harmful materials from the lungs. A little cough should not be cause for alarm. A persistent coughing spell, on the other hand, might suggest that you should quit smoking.It does not, however, indicate that you must give up cannabis entirely. If your frequent weed smoking cough is causing you problems, try using a cannabis pill or lotion to get many of the same health advantages as if you used marijuana.
Is coughing a way to make your high more powerful?
It’s a popular notion that coughing may improve the high. However, according to Dr. Bone, the two are not linked. “Another common mistake is to keep the smoke or vapor deep in the lungs for longer in order to achieve higher highs.” “It’s just as good to inhale and exhale without the extra deep pull,” she added.
Some people believe that holding the hit for longer allows them to consume more psychoactive THC. However, THC is rapidly absorbed by the respiratory system, taking only a few seconds after inhalation. If you feel dizzy or strange from holding your drag for too long, it’s more likely that your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. The temporary drop in oxygen isn’t linked to a high, but rather to the need to exhale and breathe normally.
Furthermore, if you breathe in and hold the smoke for a long time, it’s possible that you’re absorbing more tar than cannabinoids. You’re more prone to coughing fits if you take in a lot of smoke. As a result, attempting to cough to obtain higher is like throwing yourself off a cliff with two bull’s-eyes painted on it: you will most likely fail. Rather, you will inhale more smoke, resulting in a negative domino effect of coughing.
Consume organic cannabis products
Be cautious of weed that has additional additives because they can irritate the body. The most common causes are traces of solvents remaining in vapes and added terpenes to improve the product’s fragrance and impact. Natural and unsweetened products will be kinder on your lungs.
Experiment with inhalation techniques
Because the longer smoke or vapor comes into contact with your throat tissues, the more likely you are to get irritated, inhalation methods might be useful. Inhaling immediately and without hesitation is a more effective technique.
Drink fluids
A glass of water or a cup of herbal tea can help remove residual particles from the throat and down to the stomach. Lozenges and hard candy can also be used for this purpose.
Final thoughts on weed and coughing
While mild coughing when smoking cannabis may not be cause for alarm, Dr. Bone stated that coughing is a defensive mechanism that we should not attempt to suppress. Consider consuming cannabis in a different manner, such as tinctures, capsules, or edibles, to avoid coughing completely. Otherwise, accept the occasional cough as part of a stoned lifestyle and keep a glass of water handy.
