Marijuana enthusiasts know there are common side effects that come from medicating with or enjoying cannabis, like forgetfulness, red eyes or even the dreaded “couch lock.”

Perhaps the most common side effect for cannabis users is the onset of dry mouth after inhaling marijuana or ingesting edible products.

Why does “cottonmouth” happen? According to a 2006 study on rats funded by the National Institute of Health, once consumed, cannabinoids, the psychoactive and medicinal chemical compounds in the marijuana plant, assisted by the more aromatic category of compounds, terpenes, get absorbed by receptors in the mouth first. That’s where your salivary glands are, and they react by drying up.

So, cottonmouth is just a sign that the marijuana is working.

Click to read the entire post on Colorado Springs Independent.