Anyone who has even heard about marijuana, let alone used it, knows about the hunger pangs one gets after consuming marijuana. Now, a snack is something that everyone likes once in a while, but especially after a smoke session can that likeness turn into a craving love. This can be a real conversation starter as to how much one could eat after about with cannabis, but the underlying question remains. What is the reason behind getting such a surge in hunger that you start to devour food like never before?
Cannabinoids in cannabis plants are chemical compounds that naturally occur in them. There are more than 100 of them, and each cannabinoid has its own, different effects on people. Some give a euphoric high, others are medicinally very useful, while some even help in sleep. The reason why they interact with our bodies is because of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) we have. Our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids through the ECS, just like the cannabis plant does, only in the plant’s case they are called phytocannabinoids.
Cannabinoids interact with our ECS when consumed and hence lead to a variety of different effects we feel. Is this the reason why we feel incredibly hungry after consuming cannabis? Let us dive further into the topic at hand.
The Science Behind Munchies
As we did mention earlier, Cannabinoids affect the Endocannabinoid System, which in turn determines how we feel. This means that there are some cannabinoids if not all that affect our appetite in one way or another. Out of the many, THC has been touted to have resulting outcomes that make people hungry. THC interacts with receptors in our ECS to modulate and regulate our bodily functions. It majorly involves working on parts of the brain that deal with appetite stimulation. Other than that, THC also significantly enhances our olfactory senses, which can heighten cravings even more.
Another reason for the hunger cravings is the increase in the production of the hormone ghrelin. It is a hormone that the hypothalamus produces that increases the feeling of hunger. The production of this hormone is increased with the intake of THC, adding to the already engaging effects that make people hungry. You could almost say that there is an entourage effect in our body that leads to the spike in hunger pangs.
Can Increased Appetite be Used Medicinally?
The fact that there are diseases, if not just treatments for other health conditions that severely decrease appetite in people. This means that marijuana’s property of increasing someone’s appetite can be used to a very positive effect. People receiving heavy medication from cancer and HIV treatments can be left in a gloomy mood along with being left with little to no appetite. This corresponds to a further deterioration in their health as they cannot receive proper nourishment and nutrients to support bodily functions.
The use of medical marijuana in such cases can not just help people gain their appetite, but also help with their mood. It may seem far-fetched while battling such severe, serious health conditions, but marijuana has an uplifting effect on people’s perceptions and how they feel. There are many anecdotal pieces of evidence along with medical studies that back these claims.
There are many other conditions, depending on your state, that can give you access to medical marijuana. After talking to a medical marijuana specialist, be it as an in-person clinic visit or through a telemedicine portal like Online Medical Card, you can get a recommendation from a state-licensed doctor. These doctors will let you know how to get a medical card online. They will provide you with a document certifying your qualification as a medical marijuana user and you can use the same in any dispensary to get marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Increased dopamine levels with marijuana
There is yet another factor that plays a major role in developing this excessive sense of hunger, and that is the increase in levels of dopamine. An increase in a level of dopamine can correlate to a better standing in social situations, helping people with anxiety, especially with Social Anxiety Disorder. What dopamine does is that it increases the sense of freedom eliminating any inhibitions holding back a person.
This lack or decrease in inhibitions means that people under the influence of marijuana can experience and fulfill their hunger without wanting to stop. They also start to enjoy the taste and smell of what they are eating (as talked about earlier). This means that they relish the same thing with much more vigor, also driving them to try new things without batting much of an eye.
Is Lack of Proper Sleep the Underlying Cause?
A plausible reason for an increase in appetite can be found in someone’s sleeping patterns too. A study reflected on how a disturbed sleep pattern can lead to an increase in appetite. This happens because lack of sleep can interfere with our Endocannabinoid System, causing us to have increased hunger pangs.
So a series of good night’s sleep can be very effective in keeping such hungry thoughts out of our system. Lack of sleep can be problematic in many other ways as it disrupts the natural equilibrium that our bodies try to maintain for better and smooth functioning.
The Final Verdict
Now, every time you get munchies along with the fleeting high of using marijuana, you will know the reason why people get it in the first place. This can not only be highly informative about how marijuana actually works but can also be a kicker of a conversation starter. Ideally one should indulge in healthier food like fruits and something like soup, but in a state of slight delirium and a sudden spike in hunger, nothing seems more fit than having a hearty, high-calorie intake.
Our understanding of phytocannabinoids and our Endocannabinoid System has made us aware of the reasons behind something so simple yet something that can be highly beneficial for people battling severe conditions and treatment dulling their appetite.
