Have you ever smoked a joint only to experience cravings for salty or sugary junk food and wondered why your body was reacting to weed with a snack attack? That's because weed causes appetite stimulation in two ways: making you feel hungry and making food taste better.
Learn why cannabis makes us so hungry, why it makes food taste better, and if there's a way to prevent it from happening.
What are the munchies?
The sensation of wanting to consume unique combinations of food or more food than normal after using cannabis products is called “the munchies.” It occurs whether you choose to smoke, vape, or consume edibles and is the main reason why cannabis is recommended to cancer patients going through chemotherapy or for those experiencing certain eating disorders.
Why weed makes you hungry: The science behind the munchies
Your body normally signals to your brain when it's hungry by releasing small signaling molecules called hormones. These hormones go to areas in the brain, such as the hypothalamus, that signal you to look for food when your stomach is empty. Over 20 gut hormones, the most well-known being ghrelin, are produced to help regulate appetites.
Additionally, your body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in controlling hunger. The endocannabinoids AEA and 2AG activate cannabinoid receptors in the body and stimulate hunger.
The science behind the munchies comes down to three separate mechanisms:
- THC interacts with cannabinoid receptors on the gut's cells, which ultimately causes an increase in the levels of ghrelin being produced, making you feel more hungry.
- In the hypothalamus, which controls hunger and appetite, among many things, there is a group of neurons called the POMC neurons, which typically release a compound to make you feel full. However, when activated by THC, it causes the POMC neurons to stop producing the compound that makes you feel satiated and instead starts producing endorphins, which make you feel more hungry.
- THC can mimic cannabinoid compounds that the body makes, called endocannabinoids, that are involved in signaling hunger in the brain.
In each case, consuming cannabis makes people feel more hungry since THC causes the body to release or mimic hunger hormones.
Why does weed make food taste better?
Cannabis can make almost everything taste better. Consuming our favorite junk foods like doughnuts, french fries, and cookies releases dopamine — the “feel-good” hormone — in the brain, making us feel happy and relaxed when eating these foods. When consuming cannabis, even more dopamine is produced, which makes many activities more enjoyable, like cleaning your room or showering. It feels good to eat when you're high because of the dopamine rush, and it can be difficult to stop for some.
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Another reason food tastes better when you're high is because THC can enhance your sense of smell. A 2014 study led by Giovanni Marsciano of the Université De Bordeaux determined that weed can make food smell better. The neuroscientists who conducted the study found that THC's interaction with the CB1 receptors in our nose, specifically the main olfactory bulb (MOB), enhances the sense of smell. Since human taste and smell are closely linked, a heightened sense of smell magnifies how satisfying and flavorful food tastes, which promotes food intake.
Benefits of the munchies
For many, the munchies may not be the most desirable side effect of cannabis. However, it's one of the main reasons why Marinol, a drug with the same chemical structure as THC, became an FDA-approved drug. Marinol was approved for weight loss associated with AIDS and cancer and has helped thousands of cannabis consumers and patients eat every day. Many people who struggle with disordered eating or find trouble feeding themselves benefit from consuming medical marijuana before meals.
Culturally, it's also amazing to smoke with friends and family before enjoying a large meal and good company.
Side effects and risks of the munchies
A potential side effect of the munchies may be weight gain. One study from 2020 found that the increased ghrelin levels can make it harder for some people to lose weight. However, there's also evidence that chronic cannabis users tend to have a lower BMI, likely due to differences in fat metabolism proteins.
If you are someone who struggles with the munchies, consider switching up the times you smoke or buying more healthy snacking options.
How long do the munchies last?
The munchies can last different amounts of time depending on your individual metabolism, consumption method, tolerance, food availability, etc.
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The munchies may last longer if you've taken an edible since the THC will be circulating in your body for longer, so the effects can last upwards of four hours. Smoking has faster effects, so you may feel the munchies for 1 - 2 hours after hitting a bong or joint.
Can you consume cannabis without getting the munchies?
There are ways to prevent the munchies from happening. This can be accomplished by finding strains or products containing unique plant molecules that work opposite to THC on hunger hormones. A compound called THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) acts oppositely and does not initiate hunger. THCV is naturally occurring in cannabis and is similar in molecular structure to THC.
Studies have shown that CBD can also decrease appetite. Finding products with a higher CBD to THC ratio can help prevent the munchies.
What to eat when you have the munchies
You can eat whatever you want when you have the munchies, but typically, your body will be drawn to the foods that release the most dopamine in the brain.
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I like to think about what I want to eat when I'm high while I'm at the grocery store and buy a variety of healthy snacks and unhealthy foods like carrots and ranch, chips, grapes, and more. I find fruits to be some of the best things to snack on since they're sweet and have a high water content to quell cotton mouth.
Bottom line
The munchies can be a beautiful thing to enhance a meal shared with family or friends, or it can help people eat who may struggle otherwise. THC activates receptors in your body that release hunger hormones, but some varieties can help prevent the munchies since they produce different active compounds that work in the opposite way.
FAQ
Are there specific strains or types of weed that make you more or less prone to getting the munchies?
If you're looking to incorporate THCV into your routine to help prevent the munchies, consider strains like Durban Poison and GSC, which are notoriously high in the compound. Additionally, if you still want to smoke your favorite strains but want to include THCV, add in THCV hemp bud or purchase THCV capsules, mints, and tinctures.
You can also look for strains with different CBD to THC ratios. For those who want to feel slightly stoned but don't want to get zooted, 1:1 CBD/THC ratios are the perfect balance. Strains like Sweet and Sour Widow and Pennywise are known for their 1:1 ratios.
Does weed make you gain weight?
No, weed itself will not make you gain weight. However, if you get the munchies after consuming cannabis, there is the potential to over-eat and consume more calories than your body burns, which can lead to weight gain.
This article was written by Dr. Riley Kirk, a cannabis research scientist, educator, and advocate. The goal of Riley's work is to unite people in the cannabis industry, academia, and consumers to further the reach of cannabis education and destigmatize plant medicine.
