Cannabis Sensei

How to Get Weed Out of Your Septum Safely

Cannabis 101 · By Aaron Girard · Updated · 3 min read

Dried cannabis bud
Contents

Photo by Evan-Amos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Some adults with septum piercings who use cannabis run into an odd problem: bits of weed or ash stuck in the nose or around the piercing.

Here is how to get weed out of your septum gently and safely, and when to see a doctor instead.

Understanding the Septum

The nasal septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that divides your two nostrils. It helps give the nose its shape and support.

How Weed Gets Stuck in Your Septum

Small plant particles can be drawn into the nose while grinding or rolling cannabis.

Sticky residue on your fingers can also transfer to your nose or piercing when you touch your face.

The moist lining of the nose traps particles, which is why they can be hard to dislodge.

The Importance of Addressing the Issue

Trapped particles are usually harmless, but they shouldn't be ignored.

Particles in the nose can cause irritation and sneezing.

Around a fresh or healing piercing, debris and dirty fingers raise the risk of infection.

Some people are allergic to cannabis. For them, cannabis particles can cause sneezing, a runny or itchy nose and other allergy symptoms.

saline spray

How to Safely Remove Weed from Your Septum

Be gentle. The inside of the nose is delicate.

Wash your hands with soap and water first. Then gently blow your nose to clear loose particles.

Use a clean, warm, damp tissue or cotton swab to wipe just inside the nostril and around the piercing. Don't push anything deep into the nose.

For a more thorough rinse, use a saline nasal spray, which can help flush out particles that stick to the nasal lining.

If you can't get something out, if you have bleeding, or if a piercing becomes red, swollen, hot or painful, see a doctor rather than digging at it.

Read Also: How to Use THC Oil

Guidelines for Detoxing from THC

Some people want THC out of their system, for example before a drug test.

There is no proven way to speed this up. Stopping use and waiting is the only reliable approach.

  1. Know Your Timeline: MedlinePlus notes that drug tests can find signs of drugs taken hours to several days or more before the test. For cannabis, the window is usually longer for people who use often.
  2. Cease Cannabis Use: Stop all smoking, vaping and THC products.
  3. Stay Hydrated: Drink normally, but don't overdo it. Drinking excessive water doesn't remove THC and can be dangerous.
  4. Healthy Diet: A balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and lean proteins supports overall health, but no food flushes out THC.
  5. Exercise Regularly: Exercise is good for you, but it won't reliably clear THC faster.
  6. Be Skeptical of Detox Kits: Detox drinks and kits are not proven to clear THC.

If cannabis use is hard to cut back, talk to a doctor. NIDA notes that cannabis use disorder is treatable with behavioral therapies.

Conclusion

Most weed stuck in the nose or around a piercing comes out with clean hands, a gentle wipe and saline spray. See a doctor for anything stuck deep, bleeding, or signs of infection.

If your goal is to clear THC from your system, there's no shortcut: stopping use and waiting is the only reliable method.

Cannabis is for adults 21 and older where state law allows it. Under US federal law, marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance outside narrow exceptions, and state laws differ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can weed particles get stuck in my septum?

Yes. Particles can be drawn into the nose while handling cannabis or transferred from your fingers.

Why should I address weed in my septum?

To prevent irritation, allergy flare-ups and infection around a piercing.

How do I safely remove weed from my septum?

Wash your hands, blow your nose gently, wipe with a damp tissue and use saline spray. See a doctor if something is stuck deep or the area looks infected.

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