{"id":403,"date":"2021-07-12T09:00:49","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T09:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomnews.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=403"},"modified":"2025-11-12T20:32:53","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T20:32:53","slug":"why-does-marijuana-make-you-cough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/education\/why-does-marijuana-make-you-cough\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does Marijuana Make You Cough?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reasons Smoking Cannabis May Cause Coughing and Ways To Avoid It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coughing after smoking any substance, whether cannabis or tobacco, is a common physiological response which protects the lungs from irritation. However, not everybody coughs after smoking cannabis and if you do, there are steps you can take to minimize or avoid coughing. There are also some misconceptions about smoking cannabis which I will dispel in this article. I will also explain the steps you can take to avoid coughing and will cite studies about smoking cannabis and coughing. Finally, I will list the different theories from cannabis consumers on why smoking cannabis can cause coughing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Coughing As Lung Protection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The introduction of smoke of any sort into your lungs is an irritant and contains carcinogens.  The act of coughing is a protective mechanism which rids the bronchial tubes and the lungs of harmful substances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to cannabis specialist, Dr. Melanie Bone, a small amount of coughing should cause no alarm. However, if you develop a persistent cough, this may be an indication that it is time to stop smoking cannabis and choose a different delivery method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Misconception #1: Coughing Intensifies the Psychotropic Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Does coughing make you higher when smoking marijuana? There is absolutely no relationship between the intensity of your cannabis high and coughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Misconception #2: Holding The Smoke Deep Within the Lungs Intensifies Its Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Does holding in marijuana smoke get you higher? THC is absorbed by the lungs in as little as a few seconds after inhalation.  There is no difference in the effects it has on your body whether you inhale and exhale normally or inhale, hold it in your lungs for several seconds, and exhale. That lightheaded feeling you may experience from holding the smoke in your lungs is due to a lack of oxygen to the brain. When you return to a normal breathing pattern of inhalation and exhalation, that lightheadedness goes away. It has nothing to do with increased intoxication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, by holding the inhalation for a period of time, you may be ingesting more smoke instead of more cannabinoids which may almost certainly lead to more coughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Not Cough When Smoking Cannabis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n