If you’ve heard about cannabis, you’ve probably heard about the munchies. That feeling of hunger where you want to raise your fridge like a bear before the hibernation season is something that people associate with being high.

Why does it happen? What is the reasoning behind this? We’ll go over what it is, and why it tends to happen sometimes rather than others. 

What is It? 

This is basically the hunger pangs and the response of taste that happens when you have cannabis.  Cannabis does influence certain parts of both the body and the brain whenever our body is feeling hungry, and it can make us feel like we’re in starvation mode, hence why stuff may just taste better when you’re high.

It’s also why the cravings get really bad and are able to see advertisements and want to just run to the nearest fast food restaurant.

They also feel a sense of pleasure when they eat things, and that sensation where you’re able to enjoy the food that you have is something that can become a binge eating feeling if you’re not careful. 

Why does it Happen? 

Why do you get the munchies? 

This is because of your endocannabinoid systems starting to get some sort of interaction. 

The endocannabinoids can actually control the intake of food, the appetite, and sometimes, your energy. While this can turn off the pain receptors, it can sometimes stimulate digestion, and cause you to be hungry. It can also cause the body to mimic typical eating habits.  It can also cause you to feel like you have to eat. That’s also partially why whenever people have eating disorders, they may encourage people to have cannabis, since it can help give them the sensation that they need to eat.

The body gets stimulated to create more ghrelin, which is of course, the signal that says, you need to have more food. When you eat, it increases the leptin levels, making you feel full too. 

Sometimes as well, it’s because of the olfactory sensations being stimulated. It may just be all in your nose. 

What about Edibles 

Typically, the munches can happen up to 10 minutes after, and last up to 3 hours in certain cases.  You will also feel this even if you eat edibles. THC products that have edibles also can create this, and it means that you may still get the munchies, just maybe a bit later since the body needs to absorb and change this.

The Bet Ways to Stop This 

If you’re tired of the attack cravings, the best thing to do is know when you’re going to have it, and plan activities that’ll keep you busy, avoiding the temptations that are there. If you know you’re going to get high, maybe have dinner beforehand.  You should try to consume this not on an empty stomach.  You should try to consume foods high in fat as well.

Also, try to keep snacks that are healthy and prepare for these beforehand so that you can figure out what you want to eat, and where you should avoid binging, and also overdoing them. keep the snacks away from where you are, and don’t go to places that trigger this. Try to avoid watching anything with ads as well that might trigger you.

If you’re someone who just can’t hold back, try to have stuff that has textures that are crunchy.  Veggies that are crunchy, or even fruits are good.  You may also start to notice that you can eat these when having the munchies, and it can turn to healthy eating too.