Why does pot give munchies

Another recent study suggested that marijuana could affect the olfactory bulb in the brain , essentially making food smell much better than it usually does. Indeed, the phenomenon of the munchies is most likely a complex physiological response that can't be reduced to a single set of neurons. But Horvath and his team are now curious to explore the role that these neurons might play in the overall feeling of being stoned.

You know, if you want to. Then again, who needs drugs when you can have a plate of chicken pot-cciatore? One of the study's other key findings might provide a clue as to why snacking stoners aren't all morbidly obese. Sign In Create Account. We don't need science to tell us that getting stoned and getting the munchies tend to go hand in hand—but a team of neuroscientists may have discovered the exact reason why weed can make you can tear through a pile of junk food.

April 19, , pm. Photo via Flickr user Chris Gold. So, when THC binds to receptors there, it makes food smell better and taste more delicious, which is part of the munchies phenomena, McDonough says. Does doing an edible change the way munchies hit you? You can get the munchies from taking an edible or smoking. What happens if I eat more edibles when I have the munchies? You will probably be really high. People like Bareket say marijuana can be a truly pleasant and helpful experience.

A wholesome snack. How are the munchies different than being super hungry when you're on your period or having pregnancy cravings? These are all types of hunger, but they are pretty different. First of all, the THC-induced munchies are caused by an external factor, while period and pregnancy hangry-feels are caused by hormones within your body. But being hungry from menstrual-related hormonal shifts likely happens because of high progesterone levels at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, Hultin says.

Basically all three of these food cravings happen for different physiological reasons — not all hunger is equal.

Can the munchies be a good thing? The term munchies comes from Charles T. THC is the most psychoactive component in cannabis and ultimately the cause of the munchies. And researchers believe there are two possible reasons why. One, in order for a drug to work, it has to find receptors in the body. Two, you could also be feeling hungry because weed may have an impact on a hormone secreted from your stomach called ghrelin. This hormone signals the brain that your body is hungry and stimulates your appetite.

How hungry you feel depends on the amount of marijuana you had and how you consumed it. When you smoke a joint, the level of THC in the blood is much higher and leads to more munchies than if you were to eat an edible. Because edibles have to be digested, whatever food is already in your system is going to slow down the absorption of THC until it finally reaches the brain. Patel says that inhalation can take five to 10 minutes to take effect while ingestion can take up to two hours.