Munchies when you're stoned: here's what's going on!

You know that munchies you get after smoking weed? A lot of people find this a pretty annoying side effect, because they end up eating until they feel sick or quickly reach for unhealthy foods they “really” don’t need. But how does that munchie kick happen when you’re stoned, and what’s the best way to deal with it? We’ll explain it to you in plain language!

Where does that munchies come from?

As you know, hash and weed contain THC. This is the active ingredient that makes you feel so good when you smoke weed. THC mimics the effect of a certain substance found in your brain: anandamide. Anandamide binds to receptors in your brain, such as those in the so-called hunger center. When there’s a shortage of food, anandamide is released and binds to the receptors in the hunger center. This triggers a feeling of hunger that prompts you to eat. THC actually does the same thing! In addition, THC speeds up your metabolism, so you get hungry faster. Especially the first few times you smoke, you’ll notice that you can get a serious munchies kick, and this effect usually lingers if you don’t use cannabis regularly and/or for long periods. If you do, your brain will get used to the effects of THC, and you’ll experience munchies less often.

How can you prepare for it?

What’s the best thing to do if you know you’ll get a munchies kick while smoking, and that you’ll quickly make unhealthy choices? Our first tip: make sure you’ve eaten a hearty meal before smoking, so you’ll at least feel full faster. Of course, you can also look at it the other way around and smoke before you’d normally eat dinner. That way, when the munchies hit, you’ll at least be filling your stomach with something that was already on the menu. If you’re still unsure, try to make sure you have mostly healthy foods (and low-calorie options, for example) in the house. That way, when the moment comes, you’ll have no choice but to reach for those healthy snacks you’ve got ready.

There are more tips online that are worth trying. For example, it might help to suck on a peppermint. This would help keep your blood sugar levels stable and make your hunger go away faster. That’s quite a difference, isn’t it—a peppermint versus all the other treats you had in your cupboard? We’re curious to see if this tip works for you!