Every cannabis enthusiast knows the feeling of the “munchies”: that incredible craving for food you get after smoking a joint, eating a space cake, or vaping that delicious green herb. Most of us accept that this craving for food is part of the adventure, just as alcohol, for example, makes us hungry.
But while with alcohol you might feel like you can “handle a bit of food,” with cannabis you’re more likely to find yourself easily polishing off the entire contents of your fridge (and a few snacks from the fry shop) all by yourself—and you’ll probably do it, too. Want to avoid this feeling, perhaps because you’re trying to maintain your weight? We’ve got some tips for that!
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You can’t eat what you don’t have…
This first tip might sound a bit obvious, but it’s probably the best tip out there. If your kitchen cabinets are filled with cookies, chocolate, and your little brother’s birthday cake, you’re asking for trouble. The best way to thwart the munchies is simply by not having any “munchies” in stock. Yes, you’ll most likely still search everywhere for hidden bags of chips or candy, but after opening that drawer for the third time, you’ll probably conclude that there really isn’t anything in the house. An even better option is to fill those cabinets with healthier items, such as fruit, nuts, or yogurt or cottage cheese. Yeah, yeah, we know. A greasy or sugary snack is sometimes just a must, but if you really want to work on your summer body, sometimes there’s no other way…
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Find a distraction
Hungry? What hunger? The worst part of being hungry is that you’re constantly thinking about it. But what if you have completely different things on your mind? That’s our tip #2 for preventing (or curing) the munchies: ignore them. Go for a walk with your friends, fire up a video game, or call a friend (if you’re on your own). Whatever you do, as long as you’re not thinking about food, you’ll be much less likely to open your mouth and stuff all that candy inside. These days, a lot of people like to smoke a joint before they start their work-from-home session. In that case, make sure you have plenty of work to do, and we’re sure you’ll be able to power through those munchies like a champ.
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Stay hydrated!
Drinking plenty of water isn’t just healthy for you; it also helps suppress feelings of hunger or cravings. The same goes for coffee, by the way. Scientists believe that caffeine can suppress your appetite. It’s an effect that doesn’t last very long, but if you’re really biting your nails, it’s worth a try to just knock back a cup of joe. An espresso also gives you a good boost of energy if you’re part of that group of remote workers. You guessed it: it’s not the best choice if you’re planning to hit the sheets in half an hour…
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Pinch your nose
We’re not making this up, folks. Researchers have shown that THC primarily affects the area in mice that activates the olfactory organ—you know, your nose. This significantly improves the mice’s ability to smell food, causing them to eat more of it. The idea is that humans react to THC in the same way: we follow our noses instead of our stomachs. It might look a bit silly (and maybe it is), but nose plugs can actually help beat those munchies. Of course, we all know that absolutely no one is going to follow this advice, but you know… science.
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Eat
It might sound counterintuitive, but another good way to beat the munchies when smoking weed is to simply eat more before you start smoking (or vaping, eating, you name it). If you consume cannabis on an empty stomach, you tend to get much hungrier than when you’ve already eaten quite a bit. Eating before you smoke won’t completely eliminate the munchies, but it will at least reduce them by eliminating actual hunger.
