Why Does Weed Make You Cough? 7 Tips To Prevent Coughing Fits

Do you frequently find yourself coughing after smoking weed? You are not alone. A report shows that around 29% of cannabis users around the world experience coughing as a side effect.

So, like many tokers, you may wonder, why does weed make you cough?

The main reason for the smokers cough is that your body treats the smoke as an intruder. When you inhale cannabis smoke, it irritates your airways which triggers tiny nerves in your throat to signal your brain to trigger a cough reflex to expel the smoke.

There are also other reasons you might cough while smoking weed, and we will cover those along with tips to minimize coughing in this article. Continue reading, as we will also provide an answer to an interesting question: Does coughing actually get you higher?

7 Reasons Weed Makes You Cough

First of all, as is obvious, inhalation of any smoke will lead to coughing and this applies to inhaling vape smoke and tobacco smoke as well. Nevertheless, there are several factors that increase the likelihood of you having a coughing fit after smoking marijuana.

1. Smoke Irritates Your Throat and Lungs

Smoking cannabis can irritate your throat and lungs because it contains hot gasses, tar, and combustion particles which are all irritants.

According to research, when you inhale cannabis smoke, it stimulates certain sensors in your airways known as tussigenic receptors, which basically act like alarm systems.

When the hot smoke and particles touch these sensors, they trigger pathways that respond to temperature changes and irritants and the reaction sends a signal to your brain, which can make you start coughing reflexively.

2. The Hit Is Too Hot

Pot has a burning temperature that is much higher than that of tobacco. The higher temperature can lead to thermal damage of the mucous membranes of the throat, more so if you are smoking using dry pipes, blunts, and joints due to the limited time for cooling of the smoke.

3. You Took A Fat Rip

Large hits overwhelm the respiratory tract and increase the chances of coughing by flooding the breathing passage with thick and scorching smoke. And if you have heard the myth that holding a larger volume of smoke in the lungs will get you higher, sorry to bust your bubble, but it won’t. It just increases irritation and exposure to harmful byproducts.

4. Your Throat Is Dry

Cannabis reduces saliva production (causing cottonmouth and a dry throat) because cannabinoids like THC interact directly with the endocannabinoid system, interrupting the nerve signals that tell your salivary glands to produce saliva. Without moisture, even small hits feel scratchy. Drinking water before and during your session helps counter this dryness.

5. Terpenes Can Be Harsh for Some People

Terpenes give weed its unique smell and flavor. Some terpenes, like limonene and pinene, can irritate your throat when vaporized at high concentrations because they produce a peppery or prickly smoke.

In addition, certain terpenoids like pinene and caryophyllene are bronchodilators by nature, which means they help to relax and dilate the bronchial tubes, possibly improving airflow but if they are in high amounts, they can cause a tickling sensation in your throat, making you cough.

6. The Weed Is Dry, Old, or Poor Quality

If you are smoking marijuana that is overly dry or old chances are high that your session will be filled with lots of coughing. Old marijuana loses its moisture and ends up producing a very harsh smoke. Worse case scenario the marijuana can be moldy, which puts you at risk of breathing in mold spores that can irritate your respiratory system or trigger allergic reactions.

>>Learn how to spot moldy weed in our detailed guide

7. Your Smoking Method Matters

Lastly, how you ingest you weed matters as some methods can be more harsh than others.

• Joints and blunts deliver unfiltered smoke directly to your lungs.

• Pipes provide concentrated hits without any cooling effect.

• Bongs use water filtration, but dirty water harbors irritants that make hits harsher.

• Vaping heats cannabis at lower temperatures, producing vapor instead of smoke, which can feel smoother for some people.

Pro tip: You can experience a smoother smoking experience no matter the smoking method by adding a weed filter to your routine

Does Coughing Make You Higher?

For quite a long time, the debate concerning the connection between coughing and getting higher continued among the members of the cannabis community. Surely, we all have heard the phrase that "if you ain't choking, you ain't toking," and there was a point of view that harsh cough indicates better quality of the weed.

But does coughing make you higher? The short answer is no.

The Science Behind the Myth

There's no scientific evidence to support the claim that coughing leads to a more potent experience. The act of coughing itself doesn't directly impact how much THC your body absorbs. In reality, THC absorption happens quickly, within just a few seconds after inhalation. Your lungs are incredibly efficient at pulling cannabinoids into your bloodstream almost immediately.

Some people believe the theory that the sharp inhale before a cough allows for greater smoke intake, exposing your lungs to more THC. However, coughing can actually work against you. When you cough, the forceful expulsion of air from your lungs can potentially expel smoke along with its cannabinoids before they're fully absorbed. This means you might be losing THC rather than gaining any extra effect.

What Actually Happens When You Cough

So why does coughing make you feel like you're getting higher? The sensation comes from oxygen deprivation, not cannabis. During a coughing fit, your lungs compress and your oxygen levels drop temporarily. This lack of oxygen causes your blood pressure to decrease, creating dizziness and lightheadedness. Those floating, disoriented feelings mimic some physical sensations of being high, but they're just side effects of reduced oxygen to your brain.

Moreover, coughing makes your heart work harder to pump blood to your organs, slightly increasing blood flow to your brain. That temporary rush might feel like euphoria, reinforcing the false belief that you're experiencing a stronger high. In many cases, this feeling is just a classic example of the placebo effect.

How to Stop Coughing When Smoking Weed

Now that you know why weed makes you cough, here's how to reduce it without giving up your sessions.

• Take Smaller Hits: Take small, slow, and controlled puffs for two to three seconds to avoid overwhelming your throat and lungs with smoke.

• Use Clean Glass: Clean your smoking equipment weekly with isopropyl alcohol to remove harsh, cough-inducing irritants, bacteria, and mold.

• Keep Water Nearby: Take regular sips of water before, during, and after your session to stay hydrated and keep your throat lubricated against dry mouth.

• Choose Better Flower: Avoid old, musty, or overly dry weed that crumbles easily, as it burns hotter and produces a much harsher smoke.

• Do Not Hold Smoke In: Exhale smoothly immediately after inhaling, as holding smoke in only traps irritating toxins in your lungs.

• Try a Different Smoking Method: Switch to vaporizers for lower temperatures and fewer irritating compounds, or use bongs for cooling water filtration.

• Use a MouthPeace From Mooselabs: Attach a triple-layer activated carbon filter, like the Mooselabs MouthPeace, to trap harsh impurities, resin, and tar without blocking cannabinoids and terpenes. It is an easy upgrade for smokers who want less irritation without giving up their favorite way to sesh.

When should I be concerned about my smoker's cough?

Occasional coughing during a session is normal, but persistent respiratory symptoms signal something more serious.

Signs Your Cough Needs Medical Attention

Talk to a healthcare professional if you notice any of the following:

• Cough hasn't improved after 3 weeks of stopping smoking

• Chest pain

• General malaise

• Bloody cough

• Thicker or discolored mucus

• Increased wheezing

• Shortness of breath

• Chest tightness that doesn't go away

• New or worsening hoarseness

• Noticeable shortness of breath during light activity

• Morning phlegm that takes time to clear

• Coughing fits triggered by cold air or talking, not just smoking

Some symptoms need attention right away. You should see your doctor immediately if you have trouble breathing even while resting and a fever with green/yellow phlegm because that can mean an infection.

Final Thoughts: You Can Still Enjoy Weed Without Coughing So Much

We hope our guide has helped you understand and manage a weed cough!

The good news is you can still enjoy weed without coughing by adding a weed filter from Mooselabs to your routine. A weed filter sanitizes your smoke of tar and other irritants that cause a cough and thus a cough-free session.

Say Goodbye to the Smoker's Cough and Hello to a Cough-Free Session with Mooselabs.

FAQs

Why do I cough so much when I smoke weed?

Because smoke, heat, and tiny particles can irritate your throat and lungs. Your body coughs to clear the irritation from your airways.

Does coughing from weed mean it is good weed?

Not always. Strong weed can make some people cough, but coughing can also happen from dry flower, hot smoke, dirty glass, or harsh smoking methods.

How do I make weed less harsh?

Take smaller hits, clean your glass, drink water, use fresh flower, avoid holding in smoke, and consider using a cannabis filter like MouthPeace.

Why do pipes make me cough?

Pipes have a very short airpath, meaning the smoke hits your throat before it has a chance to cool down. Unlike bongs or bubblers, dry pipes also lack water filtration, which results in a hotter and harsher hit that triggers a cough reflex.

Why does weed make you cough but not cigarettes?

Cannabis smoke tends to be harsher because people inhale it more deeply into their lungs and hold it longer than tobacco smoke. Also, tobbacco in cigarettes is highly processed unlike weed which is smoked raw. In fact, research shows that marijuana smoke 3 to 5 times more tar than tobacco smoke.

Can a filter help with weed coughing?

A filter may help create a smoother smoking experience by reducing some of the resin, tar, and particles from smoke before you inhale.

How do I get rid of Phlegm?

Drink plenty of water to thin out the mucus. You can also use a humidifier, take a steamy shower to open your airways, and drink warm tea with honey and lemon to soothe the throat. If the phlegm is persistent, taking a temporary tolerance break from smoking will give your lungs time to clear out.

Are there inhalation techniques so I don’t cough?

Coughing typically indicates tar and resin settling in the lungs’ tissues. To mitigate this, consider using a MouthPeace or the MouthPeace Micro, equipped with a triple-layered carbon filter that purifies smoke, providing a smoother and cleaner hit.

Also, stick to smaller, shallower hits, and exhale smoothly rather than holding the smoke in to avoid unnecessary lung irritation.

>> Dive deep into how to inhale weed properly

Why do i have a sore throat after smoking?

Smoking exposes your throat to intense heat, dry air, and irritating plant particulates. This combination naturally inflames and dries out the sensitive mucous membranes lining your esophagus and vocal cords, leaving behind a dry, scratchy, and sore feeling.

What is smokers cough?

Smoker's cough is a persistent, nagging cough that develops over time. Smoke damages the cilia, tiny hair-like structures in your airways that act as brooms to sweep away dirt and mucus. When the cilia are temporarily paralyzed or damaged by smoke, mucus builds up in the lungs, forcing your body to constantly cough to clear the congestion.