Chlorhexidine and Weed
Edited by Hugh Soames
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Chlorhexidine and Weed
Most people who consume marijuana do so for its mood-altering and relaxing abilities. Weed gives people a high and allows them to relax. However, heavy consumption of weed can cause unwanted results. It can increase the anxiety and depression a person experiences, and it can interact with certain other drugs including Chlorhexidine. It is important to remember that interactions do occur with all types of drugs, to a great or lesser extent and this article details the interactions of mixing Chlorhexidine and Weed.
Mixing Chlorhexidine and Weed
Chlorhexidine is a disinfectant and antiseptic with the molecular formula C22H30Cl2N10, which is used for skin disinfection before surgery and to sterilize surgical instruments. It is also used for cleaning wounds, preventing dental plaque, treating yeast infections of the mouth, and to keep urinary catheters from blocking. It is used as a liquid or a powder. It is known by the salt forms: chlorhexidine gluconate (chlorhexidine digluconate) and chlorhexidine acetate (chlorhexidine diacetate).
Side effects may include skin irritation, tooth discoloration, and allergic reactions, although the risk appears to be the same as other topical antiseptics. Chlorhexidine rinse is also known to have a bitter metallic aftertaste. Rinsing with water is not recommended as it is known to increase the bitterness. It may cause eye problems if direct contact occurs. Use in pregnancy appears to be safe. Chlorhexidine may come mixed in alcohol, water, or surfactant solution. It is effective against a range of microorganisms, but does not inactivate spores.
Chlorhexidine came into medical use in the 1950s. Chlorhexidine is available over the counter in the United States. It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. In 2020, it was the 273rd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.
Chlorhexidine is used in disinfectants (disinfection of the skin and hands), cosmetics (additive to creams, toothpaste, deodorants, and antiperspirants), and pharmaceutical products (preservative in eye drops, active substance in wound dressings and antiseptic mouthwashes). A 2019 Cochrane review concluded that based on very low certainty evidence in those who are critically ill “it is not clear whether bathing with chlorhexidine reduces hospital-acquired infections, mortality, or length of stay in the ICU, or whether the use of chlorhexidine results in more skin reactions.”
In endodontics, chlorhexidine has been used for root canal irrigation and as an intracanal dressing but has been replaced by the use of sodium hypochlorite bleach in much of the developed world.
Chlorhexidine is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, facultative anaerobes, aerobes, and yeasts. It is particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria (in concentrations ≥ 1 μg/L). Significantly higher concentrations (10 to more than 73 μg/mL) are required for Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Chlorhexidine is ineffective against polioviruses and adenoviruses. The effectiveness against herpes viruses has not yet been established unequivocally.
There is strong evidence that chlorhexidine is more effective than povidone-iodine for clean surgery. Evidence shows that it is an effective antiseptic for upper limb surgery.
Meta-data spanning several decades shows that the efficacy of chlorhexidine (against organisms that cause surgical site infection) has not changed, dispelling concerns over emerging resistance.
Use of a chlorhexidine-based mouthwash in combination with normal tooth care can help reduce the build-up of plaque and improve mild gingivitis. There is not enough evidence to determine the effect in moderate to severe gingivitis. Its use as a mouthwash has a number of adverse effects including damage to the mouth lining, tooth discoloration, tartar build-up, and impaired taste. Extrinsic tooth staining occurs when chlorhexidine rinse has been used for 4 weeks or longer.
Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine which stain teeth less than the classic solution have been developed, many of which contain chelated zinc.
Chlorhexidine is a cation which interacts with anionic components of toothpaste, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium monofluorophosphate, and forms salts of low solubility and reduced antibacterial activity. Hence, to enhance the antiplaque effect of chlorhexidine, “it seems best that the interval between toothbrushing and rinsing with CHX be more than 30 minutes, cautiously close to 2 hours after brushing”.
Chlorhexidine gluconate is used as a skin cleanser for surgical scrubs, as a cleanser for skin wounds, for preoperative skin preparation, and for germicidal hand rinses. Chlorhexidine eye drops have been used as a treatment for eyes affected by Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Chlorhexidine is very effective for poor countries like Nepal and its use is growing in the world for treating the umbilical cord. A 2015 Cochrane review has yielded high-quality evidence that within the community setting, chlorhexidine skin or cord care can reduce the incidence of omphalitis (inflammation of the umbilical cord) by 50% and neonatal mortality by 12%.
Chlorhexidine is ototoxic (toxic to the inner ear). If put into an ear canal which has a ruptured eardrum, it can lead to deafness.
Chlorhexidine does not meet current European specifications for a hand disinfectant. Under the test conditions of the European Standard EN 1499, no significant difference in the efficacy was found between a 4% solution of chlorhexidine digluconate and soap. In the U.S., between 2007 and 2009, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center conducted a cluster-randomized trial and concluded that daily bathing of patients in intensive care units with washcloths saturated with chlorhexidine gluconate reduced the risk of hospital-acquired infections.
Whether prolonged exposure over many years may have carcinogenic potential is still not clear. The US Food and Drug Administration recommendation is to limit the use of a chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash to a maximum of six months.
When ingested, chlorhexidine is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and can cause stomach irritation or nausea. If aspirated into the lungs at high enough concentration, as reported in one case, it can be fatal due to the high risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
At physiologic pH, chlorhexidine salts dissociate and release the positively charged chlorhexidine cation. The bactericidal effect is a result of the binding of this cationic molecule to negatively charged bacterial cell walls. At low concentrations of chlorhexidine, this results in a bacteriostatic effect; at high concentrations, membrane disruption results in cell death.
It is a cationic polybiguanide (bisbiguanide).
Chlorhexidine is deactivated by forming insoluble salts with anionic compounds, including the anionic surfactants commonly used as detergents in toothpastes and mouthwashes, anionic thickeners such as carbomer, and anionic emulsifiers such as acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, among many others. For this reason, chlorhexidine mouth rinses should be used at least 30 minutes after other dental products.
The structure is based on two molecules of proguanil, linked with a hexamethylenediamine spacer.
Chlorhexidine topical is sold as Betasept, Biopatch, Calgon Vesta, ChloraPrep One-Step, Dyna-Hex, Hibiclens, Hibistat Towelette, Scrub Care Exidine, Spectrum-4 among others.
Chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash is sold as Dentohexin, Paroex, Peridex, PerioChip, Corsodyl and Periogard, among others.
In animals, chlorhexidine is used for topical disinfection of wounds, and to manage skin infections. Chlorhexidine-based disinfectant products are used in the dairy farming industry.
Post-surgical respiratory problems have been associated with the use of chlorhexidine products in cats.
Research has found that anxiety is one of the leading symptoms created by marijuana in users, and that there is a correlation between Chlorhexidine and Weed and an increase in anxiety.
Anyone mixing Chlorhexidine and weed is likely to experience side effects. This happens with all medications whether weed or Chlorhexidine is mixed with them. Side effects can be harmful when mixing Chlorhexidine and weed. Doctors are likely to refuse a patient a Chlorhexidine prescription if the individual is a weed smoker or user. Of course, this could be due to the lack of studies and research completed on the mixing of Chlorhexidine and Weed.
Heavy, long-term weed use is harmful for people. It alters the brain’s functions and structure, and all pharmaceuticals and drugs including Chlorhexidine are designed to have an impact on the brain. There is a misplaced belief that pharmaceuticals and medication work by treating only the parts of the body affected yet this is obviously not the case in terms of Chlorhexidine. For example, simple painkiller medication does not heal the injury, it simply interrupts the brains functions to receive the pain cause by the injury. To say then that two drugs, Chlorhexidine and Weed, dol not interact is wrong. There will always be an interaction between Chlorhexidine and Weed in the brain11.J. D. Brown and A. G. Winterstein, Potential Adverse Drug Events and Drug–Drug Interactions with Medical and Consumer Cannabidiol (CBD) Use – PMC, PubMed Central (PMC).; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678684/.
One of the milder side effects of mixing Chlorhexidine and Weed is Scromiting. This condition, reportedly caused by mixing Chlorhexidine and Weed, describes a marijuana-induced condition where the user experiences episodes of violent vomiting, which are often so severe and painful that they cause the person to scream. The medical term for Scromiting by mixing Chlorhexidine and Weed is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, or CHS. For these reasons, some people choose to quit smoking weed.
It was first included in scientific reports in 2004. Since then, researchers have determined that Scromiting is the result of ongoing, long-term use of marijuana—particularly when the drug contains high levels of THC, marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient. Some experts believe that the receptors in the gut become overstimulated by THC, thus causing the repeated cycles of vomiting.
In the long run, a person can become even more depressed. There is a belief that marijuana is all-natural and not harmful to a person’s health. This is not true and Chlorhexidine and weed can cause health issues the more a person consumes it.
How does Weed effect the potency of Chlorhexidine?
The way in which the body absorbs and process Chlorhexidine may be affected by weed. Therefore, the potency of the Chlorhexidine may be less effective. Marijuana inhibits the metabolization of Chlorhexidine. Not having the right potency of Chlorhexidine means a person may either have a delay in the relief of their underlying symptoms.
A person seeking Chlorhexidine medication that uses weed should speak to their doctor. It is important the doctor knows about a patient’s weed use, so they can prescribe the right Chlorhexidine medication and strength. Or depending on level of interactions they may opt to prescribe a totally different medication. It is important for the doctor to know about their patient’s marijuana use. Weed is being legalized around the US, so doctors should be open to speaking about a patient’s use of it.
Sideffects of Chlorhexidine and Weed
Many individuals may not realize that there are side effects and consequences to mixing Chlorhexidine and Weed such as:
- Dizziness
- Sluggishness
- Drowsiness
- Shortness of breath
- Itching
- Hives
- Palpitations
- Respiratory Depression
- Cardiac Arrest
- Coma
- Seizures
- Death
Interestingly, it is impossible to tell what effect mixing this substance with Weed will have on an individual due to their own unique genetic make up and tolerance. It is never advisable to mix Chlorhexidine and Weed due to the chances of mild, moderate and severe side effects. If you are having an adverse reaction from mixing Chlorhexidine and Weed it’s imperative that you head to your local emergency room. Even mixing a small amount of Chlorhexidine and Weed is not recommended.
Taking Chlorhexidine and Weed together
People who take Chlorhexidine and Weed together will experience the effects of both substances. Technically, the specific effects and reactions that occur due to frequent use of Chlorhexidine and weed depend on whether you consume more weed in relation to Chlorhexidine or more Chlorhexidine in relation to weed.
The use of significantly more weed and Chlorhexidine will lead to sedation and lethargy, as well as the synergistic effects resulting from a mixture of the two medications.
People who take both weed and Chlorhexidine may experience effects such as:
- reduced motor reflexes from Chlorhexidine and Weed
- dizziness from Weed and Chlorhexidine
- nausea and vomiting due to Chlorhexidine and Weed
Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three. A combination of weed and Chlorhexidine leads to significantly more lethargy which can easily tip over into coma, respiratory depression seizures and death.
Mixing weed and Chlorhexidine
The primary effect of weed is influenced by an increase in the concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which is found in the spinal cord and brain stem, and by a reduction in its effect on neuronal transmitters. When weed is combined with Chlorhexidine this primary effect is exaggerated, increasing the strain on the body with unpredictable results.
Weed and Chlorhexidine affects dopamine levels in the brain, causing the body both mental and physical distress. Larger amounts of Chlorhexidine and weed have a greater adverse effect yet leading medical recommendation is that smaller does of Chlorhexidine can be just as harmful and there is no way of knowing exactly how Chlorhexidine and weed is going to affect an individual before they take it.
Taking Chlorhexidine and weed together
People who take Chlorhexidine and weed together will experience the effects of both substances. The use of significantly more Chlorhexidine with weed will lead to sedation and lethargy, as well as the synergistic effects resulting from a mixture of the two medications.
People who take both weed and Chlorhexidine may experience effects such as:
- reduced motor reflexes from Chlorhexidine and weed
- dizziness from weed and Chlorhexidine
- nausea and vomiting of the Chlorhexidine
Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three. A combination of weed and Chlorhexidine leads to significantly more lethargy which can easily tip over into coma, respiratory depression seizures and death.
Weed Vs Chlorhexidine
Taking Chlorhexidine in sufficient quantities increases the risk of a heart failure. Additionally, people under the influence of Chlorhexidine and weed may have difficulty forming new memories. With weed vs Chlorhexidine in an individual’s system they become confused and do not understand their environment. Due to the synergistic properties of Chlorhexidine when mixed with weed it can lead to confusion, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders. Chronic use of Chlorhexidine and weed can lead to permanent changes in the brain22.G. Lafaye, L. Karila, L. Blecha and A. Benyamina, Cannabis, cannabinoids, and health – PMC, PubMed Central (PMC).; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5741114/.
Chlorhexidine Vs Weed
Studies investigating the effects of drugs such as Chlorhexidine and weed have shown that the potential for parasomnia (performing tasks in sleep) is dramatically increased when Chlorhexidine and weed are combined. Severe and dangerous side effects can occur when medications are mixed in the system, and sleep disorders are a common side effect of taking weed and Chlorhexidine together.
When a small to medium amount of weed is combined with Chlorhexidine, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can occur. According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) most ER visits and hospitalizations caused by too much weed were associated with other substances such as Chlorhexidine.
How long after taking Chlorhexidine can I smoke weed or take edibles?
To avoid any residual toxicity it is advisable to wait until the Chlorhexidine has totally cleared your system before taking weed, even in small quantities.
Overdose on Chlorhexidine and weed
In the case of Overdose on Chlorhexidine or if you are worried after mixing Chlorhexidine and weed, call a first responder or proceed to the nearest Emergency Room immediately.
If you are worried about someone who has taken too much Chlorhexidine or mixed weed with Chlorhexidine then call a first responder or take them to get immediate medical help. The best place for you or someone you care about in the case of a medical emergency is under medical supervision. Be sure to tell the medical team that there is a mix of Chlorhexidine and weed in their system.
Excessive Weed intake and result in scromiting, chs, and anxiety disorder. It is advisable to quit vaping weed if you are feeling these symptoms.
Mixing Chlorhexidine and weed and antidepressants
Weed users feeling depressed and anxious may be prescribed antidepressant medication. There are some antidepressant users who also use Chlorhexidine and weed. These individuals may not realize that there are side effects and consequences to consuming both Chlorhexidine, marijuana and a range of antidepressants.
Studies on weed, Chlorhexidine and antidepressants is almost nil. The reason for so little information on the side effects of the two is mostly down to marijuana being illegal in most places – although a number of states in the United States have legalized the drug.
Self-medicating with Weed and Chlorhexidine
A lot of people suffer from depression caused by weed and Chlorhexidine. How many? According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), in any given year, it is estimated that nearly 16 million adults experience depression. Unfortunately, that number is likely to be wrong due to under reporting. Many people do not report suffering from depression because they do not want to be looked at as suffering from a mental illness. The stigmas around mental health continue and people do not want to be labeled as depressed.
Potential side effects from mixing Chlorhexidine and weed
Quitting weed to take Chlorhexidine
Medical professionals say an individual prescribed or taking Chlorhexidine should not stop using weed cold turkey. Withdrawal symptoms can be significant. Heavy pot users should especially avoid going cold turkey. The side effects of withdrawal from weed include anxiety, irritability, loss of sleep, change of appetite, and depression by quitting weed cold turkey and starting to take Chlorhexidine.
A person beginning to use Chlorhexidine should cut back on weed slowly. While reducing the amount of weed use, combine it with mindfulness techniques and/or yoga. Experts stress that non-medication can greatly improve a person’s mood.
Weed and Chlorhexidine can affect a person in various ways. Different types of marijuana produce different side effects. Side effects of weed and Chlorhexidine may include:
- loss of motor skills
- poor or lack of coordination
- lowered blood pressure
- short-term memory loss
- increased heart rate
- increased blood pressure
- anxiety
- paranoia
- increased energy
- increased motivation
Mixing Chlorhexidine and weed can also produce hallucinations in users. This makes marijuana a hallucinogenic for some users. Weed creates different side effects in different people, making it a very potent drug. Now, mixing Chlorhexidine or other mental health drugs with weed can cause even more unwanted side effects.
Mixing drugs and weed conclusion
Long-term weed use can make depression and anxiety worse. In addition, using marijuana can prevent Chlorhexidine from working to their full potential33.J. D. Brown and A. G. Winterstein, Potential Adverse Drug Events and Drug–Drug Interactions with Medical and Consumer Cannabidiol (CBD) Use – PMC, PubMed Central (PMC).; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678684/. Weed consumption should be reduced gradually to get the most out of prescription medication. Marijuana is a drug and it is harmful to individual’s long-term health. Weed has many side effects and the consequences are different to each person who uses it, especially when mixed with Chlorhexidine.
If you take Chlorhexidine, and also drink Alcohol or MDMA, you can research the effects of Chlorhexidine and Alcohol , Chlorhexidine and Cocaine as well as Chlorhexidine and MDMA here.
To find the effects of other drugs and weed refer to our Weed and Other Drugs Index A to L or our Weed and Other Drugs Index M-Z.
Or you could find what you are looking for in our Alcohol and Interactions with Other Drugs index A to L or Alcohol and Interactions with Other Drugs index M to Z , Cocaine and Interactions with Other Drugs index A to L or Cocaine and Interactions with Other Drugs index M to Z or our MDMA and Interactions with Other Drugs Index A to L or MDMA and Interactions with Other Drugs Index M to Z.
Chlorhexidine and Weed
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