If you’re smoking marijuana for the first time, don’t be surprised if your appetite increases; this is known as “getting the munchies”. You may find yourself craving sweets or junk food even if you have just finished eating. But why do we get the munchies when high?
Keep reading as we explain what the munchies are, what causes them, and at the end, we will give you the best options to eat. If you’re purchasing your weed through our MoM Dispensary, edibles will also work perfectly for the munchies.
What are the Munchies?
The “munchies” come from the study of Tart Charles in 1971, which was called “On being Stoned”. Experts studied more than 150 marijuana users, and the researchers observed their cravings after consuming marijuana. The name comes from the term “to munch”.
Munchies can be associated with a voracious, uncontrollable hunger when consuming cannabis. Cravings are usually aimed at junk food or sweets, so you must be careful with what you eat during the munchies. You may also use cannabis to help fight degenerative or autoimmune diseases, which might diminish your appetite, so eating healthy during the munchies can help you gain weight without risking your health.
Why Do We Get Munchies when High?
Cannabis has two active components, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the latter of which causes munchies.
Researchers consider two possible reasons for the munchies: The first reason is that weed may impact the hormone ghrelin, secreted by the stomach, thereby telling the brain that you’re hungry, stimulating appetite. In short, cannabis releases ghrelin which makes you feel hungry when high.
The second reason revolves around the effect that THC has on your brain. When THC reaches the receptors in your brain, it makes food taste and smells better, making you hungry even when you’re not.
The Best Options for the Munchies
When you’re high, you feel all sensations enhanced, including the taste and smell of food. The munchies will make you crave calorie-rich sugary foods, salt, and fat, as they help your body release dopamine, which in turn makes you happy.
It’s no wonder that during the munchies, you want to reach for a slice of pizza, order a cheeseburger, eat some chocolate, ice cream, or a bag of potato chips. But all this junk food can be unhealthy or make you gain extra weight, so you need to replace it with vegetables, nuts, grains and fruits.
To satisfy those cannabis-induced cravings, we suggest that you keep healthy options such as baked chips and granola in your pantry. You can also consume your weed through edibles like cookies or gummies; this will help you get high and satisfy your sweet cravings at the same time.
If you’re looking to experience beyond cannabis, we invite you to try bright future mushrooms, and tell us all about your experience. They won’t give you the munchies, but you will undoubtedly reap all of their benefits!