Wondering can cannabis dehydrate you? The answer might not be what you thought of!
Can cannabis dehydrate you? Many cannabis users report a dry mouth, sparking questions about what’s really going on inside the body. Before you get worried and reach for that can of bottle, scroll down!
Can Cannabis Dehydrate You?
Cannabis does not dehydrate you in the way that substances like alcohol do.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active compound in cannabis, binds to receptors in the endocannabinoid system, particularly in areas that control saliva production. By reducing the secretion of saliva, it creates that characteristic dryness, but it is not pulling water from your body or causing systemic dehydration.
Dr. Ethan Russo, a well-known researcher in the field of cannabinoid studies, notes that “THC acts on the CB1 receptors in the brain and other areas of the body, including the submandibular glands responsible for saliva production. This action temporarily suppresses the glands, leading to the dry sensation in the mouth.”
This effect is more about how cannabis alters normal bodily functions, specifically reducing moisture in the mouth, not causing a broader loss of hydration in your system.
Other symptoms that people might mistake for dehydration, such as lightheadedness, can be linked to the physiological effects of cannabis, like lowering blood pressure. However, these are unrelated to dehydration, as cannabis doesn’t lead to a loss of bodily fluids.
Ensuring you drink water while using cannabis can alleviate some of the discomfort associated with dry mouth or throat, but the sensation is a temporary side effect of how THC interacts with your body’s natural processes.
Effects of Cannabis on Water Content of the Body
When considering the effects of cannabis on the body’s water content, it’s essential to understand the precise physiological mechanisms behind the sensation of dehydration.
While cannabis doesn’t cause true dehydration like alcohol, it does create a variety of experiences that may lead to the perception of dryness. Here’s a deeper dive into those sensations and how they interact with your body’s hydration.
1. Dry Mouth (Cottonmouth)
Cannabis, particularly THC, interacts with the endocannabinoid system and inhibits the submandibular glands responsible for producing most of your saliva.
The sensation of dry mouth, or “cottonmouth,” is not a sign that your body is dehydrated, but rather a result of reduced saliva production.
Dr. Ethan Russo, a well-known figure in cannabinoid research, states, “The inhibition of salivary secretion is a direct effect of cannabinoids binding to receptors in the submandibular glands, resulting in the sensation of dryness.”
This feeling can make you believe you are dehydrated, but your overall water balance remains unchanged. Drinking water helps alleviate this sensation, even though the body isn’t in a state of dehydration.
2. Increased Fluid Intake
The dryness in the mouth often prompts you to drink more fluids. While drinking water is always beneficial, cannabis itself doesn’t inherently require the body to consume more water to maintain balance.
You feel a need to hydrate due to the dry mouth, but your body’s hydration levels, in terms of blood volume and fluid distribution, are generally unaffected.
3. Sweating and Heart Rate
Cannabis use can elevate heart rate, sometimes leading to mild sweating. While the amount of water lost through sweat is minimal under typical conditions, it can become more significant if you are physically active.
According to Dr. Mitch Earleywine, a professor of psychology and cannabis researcher, “The rise in heart rate and associated increase in body temperature from cannabis consumption can contribute to sweating, though the effect is generally mild unless paired with physical exertion.”
The sweat loss experienced here is minimal, and as long as you maintain regular water intake, your hydration will remain stable.
4. Thirst Response
You might experience a heightened sense of thirst while using cannabis, even though the body isn’t dehydrated. This is a direct effect of the body’s response to THC’s interaction with neurotransmitters involved in regulating sensations like thirst.
Drinking water during this time will alleviate the discomfort, but the body’s actual water content isn’t in danger of depletion. It’s a secondary response triggered by how cannabis alters your perception of bodily sensations.
Clarifying Hydration Misconceptions
It’s crucial to understand that cannabis doesn’t dehydrate the body like alcohol or caffeine, which actively pull water from cells. The sensations of dryness and increased thirst are primarily due to the effects on the salivary glands and other body processes that regulate thirst perception.
Drinking water while consuming cannabis helps combat the feeling of dryness, but it is not addressing an actual water deficit in the body.
So, can cannabis dehydrate you? Absolutely not. There’s no need to overcompensate with excessive water intake unless you’re engaging in other activities like exercise. The dryness and mild sweating are side effects that can be easily managed with regular fluid intake.
