How to Get Rid of a Sore Throat from a Bong
So, you took a a bigger bong rip than your virgin lungs could handle and now your throat feels like you gargled a campfire. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there lol. A sore throat from smoking a bong (often dubbed “bong throat”) can turn a chill smoke session into an uncomfortable ordeal that lasts beyond the sesh. The good news is that there are plenty of quick remedies and prevention tips to help soothe that throat burn and make your bong rips smoother in the future. Lets walk you through why bong hits can cause throat irritation, how to fix it fast, and how to stop that dreaded bong throat burn from happening next time.
Why Do Bong Hits Burn Your Throat? 🤔
Before we cure the burn, let’s understand it. Why does smoking a bong sometimes give you a sore throat? It comes down to a few key factors:
1. Hot, Dry Smoke: Even though bongs use water to cool and filter smoke, a big hit still sends hot smoke straight to your throat. The high temperature can irritate the delicate lining in your throat. Combine this heat with the dryness of smoke (cannabis can cause cottonmouth, meaning less saliva to keep your throat moist), and you’ve got a recipe for irritation. It’s like breathing in a desert wind — not exactly gentle on the throat.
2. Intense Inhalation: Bongs allow you to take large hits of smoke quickly. Those massive rips can overwhelm your throat and lungs. Taking in too much smoke at once, or holding the smoke in too long, gives irritants more time to latch onto your throat tissues. The result? A burning, scratchy feeling and coughing fits that could wake the neighbors.
3. Irritants in Smoke: Smoke from cannabis (just like any smoke) contains particulates and tar. Even though water in the bong filters some nasties out, not all irritants are removed. These tiny particles and chemical irritants can cling to your throat and cause inflammation. If your bong or water is dirty, you might also be inhaling extra residue and bacteria – eww, and ouch.
4. Frequent Toking: Let’s be real – if you’re having back-to-back bong sessions, your throat might not get a chance to recover. Constantly exposing your poor throat to hot, dry smoke will compound the irritation. It’s like a party for your throat that went on way too long, and now your throat is hangry (throat-angry).
The bottom line: Bong hits can burn for a mix of heat, dryness, and irritants, especially when taken in huge gulps. Now that we know why it happens, let’s get you some relief ASAP.
Sore Throat Remedies for Bong Smokers 🔥
When you’re dealing with a raw, sore throat after smoking, you want immediate relief. Below are some tried-and-true sore throat remedies for weed smokers that will help cool the burn and get you back to feeling human. These tips are easy, home-style fixes – no special potions, just practical cures.
1. Stay Hydrated (Chug that H2O): First and foremost, drink water – and lots of it. Guzzle down a big ass glass of cold water to cool your throat and rehydrate those dry tissues. Smoking can dry you out, so refill that water bottle and keep it handy. Pro-tip: sip ice-cold water between hits next time to stop bong throat burn before it starts.
2. Honey & Warm Tea: Put the kettle on and brew yourself a nice cup of herbal tea (peppermint, chamomile, or ginger are great). Add a spoonful of honey. Warm tea will soothe your irritated throat, and honey acts as a natural coating and antibacterial agent. It’s like a warm hug for your throat. No tea? Warm water with honey and a squeeze of lemon can also do the trick. It’s an old-school sore throat remedy that still works wonders – even for stoners.
3. Gargle Salt Water: Okay, this one isn’t the most pleasant, but it’s effective (grandma was right). Mix about half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, take a sip, tilt your head back, and gargle for 30 seconds before spitting it out. Gargling warm salt water a few times a day can reduce swelling and flush out irritants in your throat. Sure, it tastes like you deepthroated the ocean, but your throat will thank you.
4. Cough Drops or Throat Lozenges: Pop in a throat lozenge or cough drop and let it slowly dissolve. Lozenges (or even hard candies) will lubricate your dry throat and often contain soothing ingredients like menthol or eucalyptus. They also stimulate saliva production, which helps moisten that cottonmouth dryness. Just resist the urge to crunch them – let the lozenge do its thing. (And don’t attempt to smoke with a lozenge in your mouth 😂).
5. Steam and Humidity: Give your throat a spa day with some steam. A hot shower is an easy way – breathe in the steamy air while you rinse off. You can also fill a bowl with hot water, drape a towel over your head, and inhale the warm vapor (classic humidifier hack). Steam helps moisten your dry throat and clear away mucus. If you have a humidifier, crank it up in your room, especially at night. Adding moisture to the air prevents your throat from drying out further and feels oh-so-soothing.
6. Warm Soup or Broth: There’s a reason chicken soup is the universal sick cure. Sipping on warm soup or broth can feel great on a sore throat. The warmth eases the irritation, and it keeps you hydrated with bonus nutrients. If you’ve got the post-smoke munchies and a sore throat, a bowl of ramen or chicken noodle soup is basically self-care (and delicious).
7. Rest Your Voice (and maybe take a Toking Timeout): Lastly, give your poor throat a break. If it hurts to talk, try not to talk too much (save that epic story for tomorrow). And as much as it pains me to say – maybe pause your smoke sessions for a day or two. Continuously blazing while your throat is already sore will just keep the cycle going. Consider switching to a gentler form of cannabis temporarily (hello, edibles!) until your throat heals up. Your throat is telling you it needs a timeout, and even the most seasoned smoker needs a rest day.
By following these remedies, you should start feeling relief pretty quickly. Most smoke-induced sore throats are short-lived (24 hours or so). But while you soothe your throat, why not also think about how to prevent this from happening next time? We’ve got you covered there, too.
How to Stop Bong Throat Burn: Tips for Smoother Rips
Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy your bong without feeling like you swallowed a flamethrower after? The best cure is prevention, my friend. Here are some laid-back tips to help you avoid bong throat burn and get smooth bong rips every time:
1. Take Smaller, Cooler Hits: Monster hits might seem badass, but your throat disagrees. To keep things smooth, take smaller rips instead of packing the bowl to Mount Everest heights. Inhale at a moderate pace – think sipping the smoke, not vacuuming it. Smaller hits are cooler and less harsh on your throat, reducing the burn. Also, don’t hold the smoke in forever; exhale after a couple of seconds. You’ll still get plenty high, and your throat will be way happier.
2. Use Ice in Your Bong: If your bong has an ice catcher (those pinched sections in the neck) or you own an ice bong, take advantage of it! Drop a few ice cubes into the bong. The smoke will pass over the ice and cool down before it hits your throat. Cooler smoke = smoother hit. It’s science, but more importantly, it’s bliss for your throat. Ice bongs are specifically designed for this, and trust us, a frosty cold hit is a game changer. Check out our massive collection of high quality ice bongs.
3. Try a Percolator or Recycler Bong: Not all bongs are created equal. Some are built for ultra-smooth hits. Percolator bongs force the smoke to bubble through water multiple times (you’ve seen those cool bubbly chambers), which filters and cools the smoke more effectively than a basic bong. Recycler bongs take it a step further – they “recycle” the smoke through multiple chambers, cooling it down and removing even more harshness. The result is silky smooth, less irritating hits. If your current piece is a basic bong that’s giving you dragon throat, consider upgrading to a bong with a perc or recycler system. Your throat will notice the difference. (Shameless plug: Check out some awesome percolator bongs we carry for ULTRA smooth hits)
4. Keep Your Bong Clean: When was the last time you cleaned your bong? 😬 Be honest. Dirty bong water and resin buildup can make hits much harsher (and nastier tasting). Old gunk adds extra irritants to the smoke and even funky bacteria. To avoid that unnecessary throat abuse, clean your bong regularly. Dump out that swamp water, rinse the glass, and use a bit of isopropyl alcohol and salt to clear out resin. A clean bong not only hits smoother and tastes better, but it’s also better for your health. Aim for at least a quick rinse after each session and a deep clean every week or so if you’re a heavy user. Your throat will thank you, and your friends won’t gag when they see your glassware.
5. Stay Hydrated While You Smoke: We said it before and we’ll say it again – water is your BFF. When smoking, keep a drink on hand. Take sips between hits to keep your throat moist. This prevents that dry, scratchy feeling from ever setting in. You can even get creative with hydrating snacks like popsicles or cold fruit if you want to multi-task your munchies and throat care. The key is to never let the cottonmouth win.
6. Choose Quality Bud (and Avoid Irritants): Sometimes harsh hits are not just about the bong – it can be what you’re smoking. Low-quality cannabis or stuff that hasn’t been cured properly can feel rough on the throat. Similarly, avoid mixing in tobacco (if you roll spliffs and then use a bong hit, that tobacco can be extra irritating) or using lighters that scorch the bowl (try cooler flame or hemp wick). High-quality, well-cured cannabis will usually smoke smoother. And of course, make sure your herb isn’t moldy – inhaling mold is a one-way ticket to Throat Irritation City.
7. Take Occasional Smoke Breaks: If you’re planning a marathon smoke session (like a movie night with endless bowls), build in some breaks. Give your throat a breather every now and then – step outside for fresh air or just chill for a few minutes without the bong in your hand. Pacing yourself not only keeps your throat from getting torched, but it can actually help you enjoy your high more (no one likes coughing their lungs out in the middle of a good buzz). Remember, it’s quality of hits over quantity.
8. Consider a Vaporizer (Every Now and Then): We know, we know – you love your bong. Same here. But if your throat is consistently getting irritated, you might mix things up occasionally with a vaporizer. Vaping dry herb can be gentler on the throat than combusting with a lighter, especially if you use a good-quality vape at lower temperatures. The vapor is cooler and contains fewer harsh byproducts. It’s not the same big bong rip feeling, but it’s a worthy alternative when your throat needs a vacation from burning. You’ll still get plenty high, just with less trauma to your windpipe. Check out some premium dry herb vapes here.
By following these tips, you’ll drastically reduce throat burn and make your bong sessions a lot more enjoyable. A combination of the right technique and the right gear can turn you from a coughing mess into the smooth criminal of bong hits.
And speaking of gear – if you’re realizing it’s time for an upgrade, Blaze Boutique has you covered. We have a whole collection of bongs tailored for smoother, cooler hits. Browse our bong collection to find pieces with features like ice catchers, percolators, and recyclers. Your dream of buttery-smooth bong rips (and a happy throat) is just a click away.
Final Hit: Soothe That Throat and Enjoy 😌
A sore throat from a bong can be a bummer, but it’s usually easy to fix and even easier to prevent once you know how. With some quick remedies (water, tea, lozenges, and a bit of TLC) you can get your voice back to normal and ditch the painful swallowing. More importantly, by adopting a few smart smoking habits – cooling your smoke, taking reasonable hits, and using the right bong – you can avoid “bong throat” altogether.
Now you’re armed with the knowledge to stop bong throat burn in its tracks. So next time you light up, you can focus on enjoying your high rather than hunting for cough drops or apologizing to your throat. Stay hydrated, keep it smooth, and happy toking! Your throat will be much happier, and you’ll be back to ripping that bong with a grin 😎👌.
Remember: it’s all about smoking smart. Enjoy those smooth hits, take care of yourself, and may your bong sessions be ever gentle on your throat. Cheers!
