Why Does Cannabis Give You The Munchies?
by MADELINE FERGUSON
Feeling the need to steal a Reeses from your kid’s Halloween candy stash after you partake in a cannabis product? Wondering why that “Thanksgiving cousin walk” before dinner is so great? Let’s evaluate why some strains of cannabis can give us munchies.
With an updated scientific study of cannabis and more commercial grow operations, we know so much more about strains and can curate a cannabis experience that works for the individual which can mean choosing to avoid munchies or increase your appetite.
So, Why Does Weed Give You The Munchies?
The same compound in cannabis that gets you high is the same compound that also gives you the munchies: THC.
This is because THC interacts with your endocannabinoid system. According to the Harvard Medicine Review, the ECS regulates and controls many of our bodily functions such as learning and memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses, and eating.
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Some research also shows that THC can signal the release of ghrelin, the hunger hormone.
Researchers also believe part of the reason you get the munchies is that THC stimulates the olfactory system, making smells seem more appealing. Our sense of taste is heavily tied to our sense of smell, like when you get a cold and your nose is stuffed you can’t taste things.
It is well known that THC stimulates the release of dopamine, which is one reason it can be effective at helping those with certain mental health problems. But dopamine is also released when you eat, making it a pleasure-seeking behavior, so eating while you are high can cause dopamine to shoot up, making you want to eat more.
Strains that give you the munchies can be a powerful tool for cancer patients going through treatment that often makes them completely lose their appetite.
Some strains that are thought to increase appetite include: Girl Scout Cookies, White Widow, Chemdawg and Bubba Kush.
Can Cannabis Curb Appetite?
With the number of strains available and the amount of research and testing done on various strains, you can now find certain weed strains that can help you not get the munchies.
Whole plant cannabis has lots of different cannabinoids that contribute to the effects of marijuana, one in particular, THCV can trigger your brain to eat less, according to research. So if you find a strain higher in THCV it could offset the munchie effect.
Some strains currently on the market that are high in THCV include: Jack The Ripper, Durban Poison, Pineapple Purps and God's Green Crack.
We hope you enjoy the upcoming holidays and maybe a few pre-Thanksgiving walks.
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