Explore the Reason Why Weed Makes You Hungry?
"Dude, what's up with me? I'm so hungry all of a sudden!" Many people ask this question after an epic session of smoking weed.
Well, cannabis has been long known to cause the “munchies” effect, which is why it's often recommended to people who have lost their appetites. But why does one feel like raiding the whole fridge after a session of marijuana? Does weed stimulate the same area of the brain as food does?
This article will answer these questions and help you understand the cause and impact of munchies in the context of cannabis use.
What Normally Triggers Hunger?
Most people are not even aware of what hunger really is. It appears to happen so randomly! Even scientists don't fully understand the mechanism of hunger triggers.
However, research shows that hunger is not just a feeling but an intricate response system involving the brain, gut, and other organs. Research further indicates that hunger could be a two-part process depending on what the body senses— either an excess or shortage in energy stored in the body.
When the body is low on energy, the GI releases a hormone called ghrelin that stimulates the hypothalamus of the brain, which in turn sends hunger signals to the gut. Furthermore, these signals stimulate the brain's Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA), which releases dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter.
In case of excess energy in the body, fat cells release the hormone leptin, which stimulates the hypothalamus of the brain. The hypothalamus this time inhibits hunger by reducing dopamine and VTA release.
A similar effect of leptin can be seen on anandamide, a molecule that binds to the same receptors as THC, one of the cannabinoids in marijuana known for its incredible 'high.' This brings in the Munchies effect.
But here is a more straightforward answer to why you get the munchies when you are high on marijuana:
Your Body Thinks You Are Starving!
According to this 2014 study about the effect of weed on the human brain and appetite, it was determined that THC increases the sense of smell, taste, and appetite by activating all the olfactory bulbs of the brain.
Researchers have also found that THC reverses the way the hypothalamus functions in a 2015 study about the effects of weed on mice's appetite. Instead of telling the body you are full, the hypothalamus signals that you are hungry.
So, in a nutshell, the THC in weed tricks your brain and GI system that you are starving even if you are full. In some cases, this can be beneficial, while in other cases, it may be destructive, depending on your health condition and what you are hoping to achieve.
Don’t Forget Your Sense of Smell
Closely related to the munchies is the elevated sense of smell. Smoking weed enhances your sense of smell due to the stimulation of receptors in the nerve cells found in your nose.
When you chew food, air is forced through your nasal openings, so you are able to smell and taste even more complex flavors.
The hungry signals that result from this make you go for high-calorie foods to get the much-needed energy boost.
Another way THC makes you hungry is by impacting CB1 receptors. On attachment to the receptors, THC makes your taste buds more sensitive to sucrose or anything sweet which explains why you crave sweet things when you're high.
Why Do You Think Marijuana Works as an Appetite Stimulant?
Although medical professionals don’t know exactly how marijuana increases your appetite, they know it does increase appetite. This is the reason why people suffering from eating disorders, such as anorexia, can use marijuana to stimulate their appetites.
According to this 2011 study, cancer patients consumed THC pills for 18 days to test their response to food. In the study, 73 percent of the cancer patients showed an increase in food appreciation, and 65 percent reported increased appetites.
Often, cancer patients suffer from severe appetite loss and wasting syndrome. Impressively, one of the authors of the study reported that the cancer patients regained their appetite and were able to enjoy food after taking the THC pills.
Cannabis can also stimulate appetite by triggering the release of dopamine, which makes us feel good. The rewarding feeling is due to the activation of cannabinoid receptors in the hypothalamus and nucleus accumbens regions of the brain.
In summary, weed is a treatment for people suffering from loss of appetite or those who generally want to get in the mood for food.
Not Everyone Gets the Munchies
Munchies are a well-known side effect of cannabis consumption. However, not everyone gets them when high on marijuana. For example, if you have lower levels of endocannabinoids in the olfactory region than normal you are unlikely to feel hungry after consuming THC.
So is consuming marijuana tied to weight gain issues? According to this 2019 study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that marijuana users are unlikely to have weight gain problems compared to non-users. The study further identified that marijuana consumers take more calories but have low body fat.
But does this mean that you can eat anything to fulfill your after THC munchies? Definitely not. It'd actually help if you stocked healthy snacks when consuming marijuana. An alternative trick would be going for cannabis high in CBD or THCV rather than THC.
Final Thoughts on Weed & the Munchies
Whether you are an active user of marijuana or just smoke weed occasionally, you've definitely noticed one thing: weed makes you hungry. This is because THC, the psychoactive component in weed, stimulates the appetite center in your brain and the GI.
In addition to the munchies, THC will make you feel high and your sense of smell will be elevated. Despite the good ‘high,’ you can feel good all the way to a snacks shop due to the intense munchies.
So, if you are on a diet, you better avoid smoking marijuana with high THC strains as it could cause you to raid an entire fridge in a search for the sweetest and tastiest snacks!
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