Your medical cannabis journey simplified: find partnered dispensaries, explore pricing options, earn rewards, and get answers to FAQs, all in one spot.
October 30, 2020 02:47 pm ETEstimated Read Time: 3 Minutes
As more and more states move toward the legalization of cannabis, people have begun to ask the question of what the consequences of laws permitting cannabis use will be. For the most part, the answers have been promising. In states where cannabis has been legalized, we’ve seen things like decreases in the crime rate and additional government funding made available to start new social programs. By and large, legalizing cannabis has proven to be a good thing. But whenever cannabis is involved, there is always a chance that the party will be crashed by the dreaded munchies.
The Science Behind the Munchies
The munchies are a well-known feeling of hunger or a desire to snack, that’s common after the consumption of cannabis. The reason this happens is very simple and basic: THC stimulates the part of your brain that controls your appetite. Even if your body doesn’t technically need to eat, consuming THC can convince you that you’re hungry. When your body reacts to THC, it makes food smell and taste better, which speaks to why we have a tendency to not just fix ourselves a meal but to grab a favorite snack and feast.
Having the munchies isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This effect is so reliable that some people utilize it deliberately. Cancer patients and people suffering from eating disorders use cannabis to help stimulate their appetites so they can get nourishment during a time in their lives when it might otherwise have been difficult to eat fulfilling meals.
Apply For Your Medical Marijuana Card Today
Veriheal has satisfied hundreds of thousands of patients nationwide
Get approved or your money back
Appointments available on-demand
Customer support available 24/7
The Connection Between Cannabis Legalization and Junk Food Sales
An economist at the University of Connecticut released a study in early 2019 exploring the connection between cannabis legalization and the rate of sale of junk food products. The study compared purchasing trends for products such as cookies, potato chips, and ice cream in the months following cannabis legalization in states like Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.
The study showed a 3 to 5 percent increase in the purchases of all three types of food, which is a figure of statistical significance. In states where cannabis has been legalized, people are demonstrably buying more junk food than they did before. Although cannabis legalization leads to many good things, right now studies are telling us that healthy eating habits aren’t one of them.
Redirecting the Munchies Toward Healthier Options
For the good of our health, junk food is best enjoyed in moderation. So, you may be wondering whether there’s anything you can do to stave off the effects of the munchies. The good news is that the answer is yes!
One great tactic is not to resist but to opt for healthy snacks. The good news is that the munchies effect functions in such a way that every food seems more appealing than it would have if you weren’t under the influence of THC. This is a great time to enjoy some fruits and veggies, rice cakes, or air-popped popcorn. For most people, even large quantities of these healthy snacks make for a decent choice. You can also combat the munchies by choosing a cannabis strain with a high CBD or THCV content. CBD is known to counteract many of the side effects of THC and THCV is a cannabinoid known for appetite suppression. And if none of those options work for you, try planning ahead for what you’re going to do to avoid the rush to the kitchen. Cannabis legalization can lead to increased junk food consumption—but with a little mindfulness, that can be easily avoided.
Kat Helgeson comes from a ten year career in social media marketing and content creation. She takes pride in her ability to communicate the culture and values of an organization via the written word. Kat is also the author of numerous books for young adults. Her titles have received the Junior Library Guild Award, the Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year Distinction, and been featured on the Illinois Reads selection list. Her work has been translated into Dutch and German.
Blunts: What are they exactly, and how do they affect your body? If you’re interested in smoking blunts—or already smoke them—this guide is for you. We’ll cover everything you need to know about this popular cannabis intake method, including how they’re made, how they differ from spliffs and joints, risks of use, and alternative intake…
Cannabis edibles are a preferred method of consuming cannabis by both retail consumers and medical cannabis patients alike. But just how long do they last? Let’s explore the shelf life of edibles, how to store them, and what to do if they go bad. What Are Edibles? Common Types of Edibles How Long Do Edibles…
Navigating the laws on traveling with medical marijuana (MMJ) is incredibly confusing with the current global stance on cannabis. In the U.S., some states are okay with you bringing your medicine with you as long as you can prove your patient status, while other states are staunchly against it altogether, leaving MMJ patients in a…
People have been smoking joints for a long time. The first rolling papers surfaced around the early 1500s in Alcoy, Spain. These weren’t like the rolling papers we know today though. To start, these papers were intended for tobacco, not cannabis. They were made of hemp along with other textiles and lacked an adhesive gum…
Cannabis seeds, aka beans, come in a lot of different varieties. On top of countless different strains to choose from, there are regular cannabis seeds, feminized cannabis seeds, auto-flowering cannabis seeds, and ruderalis cannabis seeds. Ruderalis cannabis seeds are the least common out of the group, generally only used by breeders. Regular cannabis seeds produce…
We use our own as well as third party cookies to improve your site experience and the services we make available. You can learn more about our use of cookies in our Privacy Policy.
Content Disclamer
The statements made regarding cannabis products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is not an FDA-approved substance and is still illegal under federal law. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabis products. The use of any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.