LIFESTYLE
Ever had that irresistible urge to reach for a snack after hitting a blunt. Yes, it may not seem normal to some, but it is completely normal to desire and crave everything in your cabinets to the refrigerator. However, you don’t have to empty your cabinet or refrigerator. It is more or less like a craving that can be overlooked. This is why after that blunt, we mostly crave junk rather than actual food, hence the discovery of munchies.
We get very intense satisfaction from these munchies, even if it is as simple as a bag of chips or a single Snickers. Surely you must have asked yourself why food tastes better when you are high but do you know the reason behind it?
Why Food Tastes Better When High
If you have yet to experience the munchies, you are missing out on one of the best feelings in the world. As a stoner, you must have had the munchies one too many times. Surely you can testify to the greatness of munchies and the satisfaction it induces. But do you know what is responsible for this feeling? Sit back, relax and read how weed makes everything taste better.
THC Increases the Dopamine Levels in the Brain
Dopamine is the chemical in the brain that is responsible for feeling good. For instance, when you enjoy an activity, the dopamine level in your brain increases and tells you to continue whatever you are doing. THC interacts with your CB1 receptor and releases dopamine. Now this increased dopamine level contributes to the psychoactive feeling causing euphoria and other pleasurable effects and feelings.
In addition, marijuana heightens your sense of smell and taste. With a heightened sense of smell and taste and increased dopamine levels, food will not only taste extraordinarily good, but your brain will also not let you stop eating them.
Citation: PubMed Central
Marijuana Activates the Olfactory Bulb
The olfactory bulb is the part of the brain responsible for your sense of smell. Marijuana activates your olfactory bulb and, in return, enhances your sense of smell.
In 2014, a group of neuroscientists from the University of Bordeaux conducted research led by Giovanni Marsicano. The research was to discover how and why marijuana increases one's appetite. They found that weed makes food smell better.
When you smoke a joint, the THC in marijuana interacts with your CB1 receptors and tickles your olfactory nerve, enhancing your sense of smell. Given that the human sense of smell and taste are intertwined, the enhanced smell results in a lustful appetite.
Citation: Nature Neuroscience
Your Taste Bud is More Acute When You Are High
Similar to what we have above, THC interacts with your olfactory nerve and enhances your smell. Given that the sense of smell and taste works similarly, your taste buds become more acute. Even without marijuana, when you eat something delicious that you like, your brain gets excited and tells you to keep going. When marijuana is added to the equation, it interacts with a nerve that spikes your taste buds, making taste better than usual. In addition, marijuana interacts with the brain to produce dopamine. Now you know why you can’t stop eating when you are stoned.
That's not all. Eating certain foods when you are stoned can make THC's effects stronger and last longer. Foods rich in fats, nuts, and alcoholic beverages are perfect examples. Mango, broccoli, coffee, and tea also contain compounds that sustain the effect of marijuana.
Research and studies show that the heightened sense of smell and taste is responsible for your huge appetite when stoned. The increased dopamine level, on the other hand, triggers you to keep going even when you are filled up.