OFM Eats: Marijuana and the Munchies
“Kenny: What do you guys want?
“Brian: Get some … sour cream and onion chips with some dip, man, some beef jerky, some peanut butter. Get some Haagen-Dazs ice-cream bars, a whole lotta of chocolate. Gotta have chocolate, man. Some popcorn, pink popcorn, graham crackers! Graham crackers with the marshmallows, little marshmallows with little chocolate bars, and we’ll make some s’mores, man. Celery, grape jelly, Cap’n Crunch with the little crunch berries; pizzas, we need two big pizzas, man, everything on ’em; water, a whole lotta water and … Funyuns.
“Kenny: That’s it?”
–Half Baked, 1998
If you just smoked some weed or have eaten an edible, it probably doesn’t take long before you’re consuming all the junk food in sight. You’re not alone. One of the most talked about effects of marijuana is the spike in appetite, better known as the munchies. The term munchies first appears in Charles T. Tart’s famous 1971 study, “On Being Stoned,” where 150 marijuana users were observed and their cravings for sweets were noted by researchers.
So, what exactly is happening to your body—and your appetite—when you’re high?
The Science
What is in marijuana that causes this phenomenon? It’s all connected to the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate the brain, immune system, sexual function, metabolism, and mood.
Jeff Chen, director of UCLA’s Cannabis Research Initiative, says the endocannabinoid system can be thought of like a series of keyholes. THC, the main chemical compound in marijuana that causes the sensation of being high, is like a key. When a person consumes marijuana, the THC “turns on the engine of our cells and tells it to do certain things,” Chen informs us. One of those things is building an increased appetite.
Further research suggests that THC interacts with ghrelin, a hormone secreted by the stomach that stimulates appetite. THC also increases the release of dopamine, which enhances the pleasure of eating. In addition to making food more enjoyable, dopamine can lower inhibitions.
How hungry you feel depends on the amount of marijuana you had and how you consumed it. When you smoke a joint, the level of THC in the blood is higher and leads to more munchies than if you were to eat an edible. Because edibles must be digested, whatever food is already in your system is going to slow down the absorption of THC until it finally reaches the brain.
There is a “food pyramid” for the munchies phenomenon!
According to Pot Mates (potmatespdx.com), there is a food pyramid that formulates the food groups for the munchies:
Sweet: Sweet foods are irresistible and instantly delicious. Candy, chocolate, pies, cakes, and ice cream are just some examples of sugary delights. You’re not going to feel great about your choices the next day if you don’t plan ahead. Prepare a munchie stash, and you never have to worry about going without. Stick to the snack sizes whenever possible.
Salty: Salty foods are a cornerstone of the four food groups because salt makes everything taste better. Pizza, Funyuns, Doritos, Chex Mix, and pretzels are mainstays of salty sensations. As with sweet foods, try to manage your portion sizes with snack sizes to avoid the adverse health effects of eating too much salt.
Chewy: Chewing is like exercise for your mouth! And chewing will help your salivary glands counteract the dry-mouth endemic to some stronger strains. Try chewing on some sugarless gum, Twizzlers, gummy bears, Rice Krispies treats, or caramel. It turns out, most things that are chewy are also sweet.
Crunchy: Think potato chips, crackers, popcorn, even carrots and celery (if you are feeling adventurous). Their satisfying crispiness will be a welcome reprieve after all that chewing. Some crunchy foods are sweet and salty, so feel free to mix and match!
What we should crave
Ideally, you should be eating fruits, vegetables, and grains. To satisfy those cannabis-induced cravings, try choosing healthier options that still have sugars or salts like granola cereals or baked chips instead of fried. When you’re high, it might seem impossible to stop wherever your stomach leads you, but try being preemptive and setting out your snack options ahead of time, so you don’t choose the unhealthiest food options. When you go shopping, choose bags of trail mix, roasted vegetable chips, or pre-cut fruit.
Here are some alternatives to your favorite’s worth considering, with some help from Way of Leaf (wayofleaf.com):
Sweet and Crunchy: Roasted nuts in honey, chopped fruit, and vegetables in a little peanut butter or a low-calorie dressing of your choice.
Savory Snacks: Lightly buttered popcorn
Chocolate: Squares of dark chocolate (the darker, the better)
Chips and Dip: Pretzels and Greek yogurt (or salsa)
Sweet: Vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries
Above all, have a few things prepared before you start using marijuana. And enjoy!
