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Xerostomia, most often known simply as dry mouth, is a very common effect of a wide variety of substances, especially diuretics (which increase the rate of urination). Psychoactive stimulants, especially with [[amphetamines]] at higher doses, are known to reduce glandular release of saliva, which can cause tooth decay over time. Ensuring proper hydration and electrolyte balance can help mitigate this symptom. Xerostomia is diagnosed based on the person's experience of the symptom, rather than the actual dryness of one's mouth. Other than stimulants, anticholinergic drugs such as tropane alkaloids like [[Scopolamine]] or [[Diphenhydramine]], cannabinoids such as [[THC]] (especially if the person is smoking [[cannabis]]), [[opioids]], antidepressant-class drugs such as the Tricyclic Antidepressants, SSRI's, as well as Lithium - any one of these may lead to dry mouth - in combination the chance of this effect manifesting increases manyfold, and should be watched. [[Benzodiazepines]] are also known to bring about dry mouth.  
<onlyinclude>
'''Dry mouth''' (also known as '''xerostomia''') is defined as having a dry-feeling mouth, often accompanied by a difficulty swallowing. It is usually a direct result of [[dehydration]] but can be felt to occur regardless of the actual dryness of a person's mouth.  


Acute Xerostomia is the subjective effect of having a dry mouth, and is most often simply the result of [[dehydration]]. It is also a common side effect of many substances, especially polypharmacy, as the result of drug interactions, especially the combination of more than one drug which can produce or amplify already present experience of a dry mouth.  
Chronic xerostomia or "dry mouth syndrome" is the regular and/or consistent experience of having a dry mouth that can result due to natural causes or as a product of the prolonged usage of mouth-drying substances. To treat this condition, substances such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cevimeline cevimeline] which stimulate the release of saliva are typically used. However, a problem noted with repeated use of such treatments is the overall worsening of the dry mouth symptoms over time. If the body adjusts to having chemical assistance in increasing saliva production cessation of treatment with the chemical can lead to physiological dependence wherein there is a rebound effect upon abrupt stopping of treatment.  


Chronic Xerostomia or Dry Mouth Syndrome is the regular and/or consistent experience of having a dry mouth. Other than physiological causes like decreased glandular saliva production or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sj%C3%B6gren%27s_syndrome Sjögren's syndrome], the most common cause of chronic Xerostomia is polypharmacy and/or the combination of more than one drug that brings about the effect.
In general, if the cause of dry mouth is due to a psychoactive substance, medication, or combination, medical treatment is not recommended. Dry mouth as an effect of substances is considered to be benign unless the effect is chronic and continues to bother or cause tooth/gum issues in the person experiencing it. As a basic [[harm reduction practice]] one should be mindful to stay consistently well hydrated, avoid breathing through the mouth, and limit substance usage if the effect becomes uncomfortable, unmanageable, or persists even when not under the influence of a psychoactive substance.


Treatments exist, such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cevimeline Cevimeline] or similar substance which stimulates the release of saliva. Drugs like Cevimeline are muscarinic agonists, selective to M1 and M3 muscarinic-acetylcholine receptors. A problem noted with repeated use of such treatments is the overall worsening of the Xerostomia over time. If the body adjusts to having chemical assistance increasing saliva, cessation of treatment with the chemical can lead to physiological dependence wherein there is a rebound effect upon abrupt stopping of treatment.
Dry mouth is often accompanied by other coinciding effects such as [[frequent urination]] (due to drinking excessive amounts of water) and [[dehydration]]. It is most commonly induced under the influence of [[dosage#common|moderate]] [[dosage|dosages]] of a wide variety of compounds, such as [[stimulant|stimulants]], [[psychedelic|psychedelics]], [[opioid|opioids]], [[antipsychotic|antispychotics]], [[deliriant|deliriants]], [[selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors|SSRI's]], and [[cannabinoids]]. It is also a common side effect of many substances, especially the combination of more than one substance which can produce or amplify already present experience of a dry mouth, which can interact significantly.</onlyinclude>
In general, if the cause of dry mouth is from a psychoactive drug or combination, medical treatment is not recommended. As a basic harm reduction practice, one should stay consistently well hydrated, avoid mouth breathing, and limit or stop drug use if the effect becomes uncomfortable or unmanageable.  
===Psychoactive substances===
 
Compounds within our [[psychoactive substance index]] which may cause this effect include:
Dry Mouth should not be considered anything but entirely benign unless the effect is chronic and continues to bother the person experiencing it.
{{#ask:[[Category:Psychoactive substance]][[Effect::Dry mouth]]|format=ul|Columns=2}}
===Experience reports===
Annectdotal reports which describe this effect with our [[experience index]] include:
{{#ask:[[Category:Experience]][[Effect::Dry mouth]]|format=ul|Columns=2}}
===See also===
*[[Responsible use]]
*[[Subjective effects index]]
*[[Stimulants#Subjective_effects|Stimulants - Subjective effects]]
*[[Deliriants#Subjective_effects|Deliriants - Subjective effects]]
===External links===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerostomia Xerostomia (Wikipedia)]
[[Category:Physical]][[Category:Uncomfortable]][[Category:Bodily]][[Category:Effect]]

Latest revision as of 13:27, 6 February 2020

Dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) is defined as having a dry-feeling mouth, often accompanied by a difficulty swallowing. It is usually a direct result of dehydration but can be felt to occur regardless of the actual dryness of a person's mouth.

Chronic xerostomia or "dry mouth syndrome" is the regular and/or consistent experience of having a dry mouth that can result due to natural causes or as a product of the prolonged usage of mouth-drying substances. To treat this condition, substances such as cevimeline which stimulate the release of saliva are typically used. However, a problem noted with repeated use of such treatments is the overall worsening of the dry mouth symptoms over time. If the body adjusts to having chemical assistance in increasing saliva production cessation of treatment with the chemical can lead to physiological dependence wherein there is a rebound effect upon abrupt stopping of treatment.

In general, if the cause of dry mouth is due to a psychoactive substance, medication, or combination, medical treatment is not recommended. Dry mouth as an effect of substances is considered to be benign unless the effect is chronic and continues to bother or cause tooth/gum issues in the person experiencing it. As a basic harm reduction practice one should be mindful to stay consistently well hydrated, avoid breathing through the mouth, and limit substance usage if the effect becomes uncomfortable, unmanageable, or persists even when not under the influence of a psychoactive substance.

Dry mouth is often accompanied by other coinciding effects such as frequent urination (due to drinking excessive amounts of water) and dehydration. It is most commonly induced under the influence of moderate dosages of a wide variety of compounds, such as stimulants, psychedelics, opioids, antispychotics, deliriants, SSRI's, and cannabinoids. It is also a common side effect of many substances, especially the combination of more than one substance which can produce or amplify already present experience of a dry mouth, which can interact significantly.

Psychoactive substances

Compounds within our psychoactive substance index which may cause this effect include:

Experience reports

Annectdotal reports which describe this effect with our experience index include:

See also

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