How Marijuana Causes the Munchies

Marijuana is a popular recreational drug that has a variety of potential medicinal uses, from reducing anxiety to boosting appetite. Thus, different strains of marijuana differ concentrations of cannabinoids: including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and terpenes. What Causes the Munchies?

Our brains produce their own cannabinoids that help control our appetite, mood, memory, and pain reception. Specifically, Tetrahydrocannabinol increases the sensitivity to scents and flavors by using occurring neural networks to convince the brain that it’s starving. Research has revealed that THC stimulates the endocannabinoid system, which controls feeding behavior and energy stability.

What Causes the Munchies?

For instance, Endocannabinoids are substances produced by the human body that activate cannabinoid receptors. THC increases the release of dopamine, which enhances the pleasure of eating, making food more enjoyable. Tetrahydrocannabinol binds to receptors in the brain’s olfactory bulb, making food smells better and tastes more delicious.

We can absorb THC in cannabis through smoking or eating. In spite of the ways of consumption, the effect is considerable. In fact, cannabis stimulates the appetite in people with medical conditions.

Therefore, the decrease in energy stores in the body releases the hormone ghrelin which triggers in the gastrointestinal tract. This hormone stimulates the hypothalamus to increase the feeling of hunger. THC stimulates the release of ghrelin. As a result, consuming cannabis gives you the desire to eat salty and fatty carbohydrate-foods.

The increase in energy stores provokes the release of leptin, which counteracts the senses of hunger. Leptin inhibits the neurotransmitter anandamide,  the decrease in leptin causes an increase in food starvation resulting in hunger.

The effects of THC in marijuana stimulate the feeling that an individual is starving and results in gorging on food.