There’s quite a bit of buzz around the internet that smoking cannabis causes cotton vagina. Cotton vagina is exactly what it sounds like, cotton mouth but in your lady bits. But, does consuming the herb actually dry you out? To spread the truth about this extremely important issue, we answer a crucial question about cotton vagina: is it myth or fact?
Is cotton vagina real?
Ladies everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief. Cotton vagina is a myth. A couple of very smart gynecologists have informed all of the cannabis-loving ladies (and men) out there that they need not worry about the herb drying them up.
OB-GYN Dr. Tami Rowen tells the Daily Dot,
The reason that people have cotton mouth is because there is a cannabinoid receptor in the salivary gland in the mouth. So it decreases the amount of saliva produced in the mouth.
When you inhale cannabis smoke or vapor, the activated THC directly engages the cannabinoid receptors in your mouth. Your mouth and your vagina are quite a ways away from each other.
The herb has such a huge impact on your salivary glands because they are the first thing in your body exposed to such high doses of THC.
Compounds in cannabis connect with these salivary receptors directly, rather than traveling through the blood stream. If you smoke, eat, or vaporize cannabis, THC will then have to travel through the blood stream and engage vaginal cannabinoid receptors.
Thinking that cannabis drys out your lady parts just like cotton mouth also makes a fundamental mistake about how vaginal secretions actually work.
Another wise doctor, Dr. Jordan Tishler tells Learn Green Flower,
The assumption that vaginal secretions would be controlled the same way as oral is just not valid. These are fundamentally under different control. Most people don’t literally salivate when they are sexually aroused, nor do most people become sexually aroused when they think about lunch. The control mechanisms are just different.
Mucus vs. lubrication
For a quick biology lesson, here’s how vaginal lubrication works. The vagina produces a couple of different juices. The lubrication present during sex is very different from the fluid produced by the mucous glands in the cervix. Cervical mucus is vaginal discharge and it changes throughout your menstrual cycle.
However, this mucus isn’t what makes you wet when you’re aroused. Rather, arousal lubrication is caused by a change in blood flow. When you’re turned on, more blood flows to your vagina. All of this extra blood puts pressures on capillaries in the region. This is called vasocongestion.
The pressure from extra swelling forces water and proteins out through the mucous membrane that makes up the vaginal lips. Basically, your vagina is “hot” and full, so it starts to sweat. All that water and protein? That’s your built-in sexual lubrication. Vaginal mucus is something else entirely.
Does cannabis increase arousal fluid?
In the bedroom, applying cannabis lubricant may also increase your arousal fluid. Why? It increases blood flow to the area.
Lena Davidson of Washington’s BOND Sensual Oil (a cannabis-based sexual massage oil), tells The Stranger,
THC is absorbed through the mucous membranes that are in high concentrations in a woman’s vagina. Once applied and absorbed, THC acts locally on the cannabinoid receptors, much like an edible.
Functionally, the THC dilates the capillaries and increases blood flow in the smallest blood vessels in our body – this enhanced microcirculation magnifies sensitivity and sensation.
Research on how cannabis interacts with the production of vaginal discharge is needed. Yet, it’s safe to say that the herb doesn’t seem to have an impact on your arousal fluids.
However, things like dehydration can have a huge impact on your ability to get wet. If you’re having some trouble in that department, avoid using intoxicants that dehydrate you (like alcohol).
Every woman also has her own thing going on down there, so some ladies might be less inclined to get wet than others. If you’re concerned about this, you might want to consider a friendly chat with your doctor.
Every woman also has her own thing going on down there, so some ladies might be less inclined to get wet than others. If you’re concerned about this, you might want to consider a friendly chat with your doctor.
Do you think cotton vagina is real? Share with us on Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
The post Cotton Vagina: Does It Really Exist? appeared first on HERB.