Coughing when smoking cannabis is a common experience, affecting both new and seasoned users. This widespread phenomenon often prompts questions about its underlying causes and how it might be mitigated. This article explores the physiological reasons behind this cough and practical strategies to help reduce its occurrence.
Understanding the Cough Reflex
The human body possesses a natural defense mechanism known as the cough reflex, designed to protect the respiratory system from foreign invaders and irritants. When smoke enters the airways, sensory nerves lining the throat and lungs detect these substances, triggering a rapid signal to the brain. This activation results in a forceful expulsion of air, which is the cough, intended to clear the airways of the perceived threat.
Cannabis smoke contains a variety of irritants that can activate this reflex. These include particulate matter, tar, and numerous chemical byproducts of combustion, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The heat of the smoke itself also contributes significantly to irritation. Hot smoke can burn the pharynx, and if it’s exceptionally hot, like steam, it can injure the lower airways. While cannabinoids like THC can stimulate the cough reflex in some individuals, the physical irritation from combustion byproducts and heat are primary contributors to cannabis-induced coughing.
Impact on Respiratory Health
Persistent coughing and irritation from inhaling combusted material can have various effects on the respiratory system. Short-term consequences often include general irritation and inflammation of the airways. Individuals may experience symptoms such as a chronic cough, increased mucus or phlegm production, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
The combustion process involved in smoking cannabis can injure the cell linings of the large airways. Regular inhalation of smoke can also reduce the effectiveness of cilia, the tiny hair-like structures that help filter particles and germs from the lungs. This impairment, coupled with increased mucus production, can make the respiratory system more vulnerable. Many of these respiratory symptoms, including chronic cough and phlegm, often improve or resolve once cannabis smoking is stopped.
Minimizing Coughing
Several strategies can help reduce coughing when consuming cannabis, starting with altering the method of consumption. Water filtration devices (e.g., bongs, water pipes) cool smoke and filter irritants, leading to a smoother experience. Vaporizers heat cannabis to release cannabinoids without combustion, producing fewer irritants like tar and carbon monoxide. However, some studies suggest cannabis vaping can still cause respiratory symptoms and may contain irritants like ammonia. For smoke-free options, edibles and tinctures bypass the respiratory system, eliminating inhalation irritation.
Adjusting inhalation techniques also helps. Smaller, slower draws reduce smoke and heat entering the lungs, minimizing irritation. Avoid holding smoke in the lungs for extended periods; THC absorbs within seconds, and prolonged breath-holding increases lung irritation. Maintaining proper hydration is effective. Drinking water before, during, and after consumption soothes the throat, minimizes irritation, and keeps airway mucus thin for easier clearance. Finally, ensuring cannabis quality by avoiding impurities, pesticides, or improper drying/curing reduces harshness and improves the experience.