How To Get Rid Of Hunger After Eating Cannabis

Hunger and Cannabis

If you've ever overeaten after a night of smoking weed, you're not alone. The munchies are a real phenomenon that science has been able to explain by looking at how THC affects your brain.

Some people enjoy this effect, while others find it bothersome. So, what causes this? What can be done to avoid this in the first place? The answers to these questions are as follows.

A hormone called ghrelin increases appetite.

Ghrelin is a hormone that increases appetite. It's released primarily from cells lining the stomach, rising before meals and falling after meals.

In people with obesity or anorexia nervosa, ghrelin levels are much more varied than usual. These findings suggest that these groups of people have an overactive hormone system that leads to overeating or restricting food intake. A vicious cycle can exacerbate health problems related to weight gain or loss.

When you consume cannabis-related products, the THC present can increase appetite by activating CB1, which lowers levels of the peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY). As a result, your appetite increases due to the levels of ghrelin present. 

Marijuana increases dopamine in the brain, which affects mood and other things.

Many people believe that smoking marijuana makes you munchies, but it's more complicated. When you feel hungry, your body releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, motivation, and reward. Dopamine release is also associated with pleasure and satisfaction.

When you eat food, your brain releases dopamine in anticipation of receiving nutrients delivered via the food you're eating. The same happens when you eat or smoke marijuana: Your brain anticipates receiving pleasure from these actions and releases dopamine as a result. So while it may seem like smoking pot increases appetite by making you hungry, your body releases more naturally occurring chemicals upon indulging in any activity that makes us feel good, like smoking weed.

THC is the main component in the hunger effect after using marijuana products. With this in mind, products without high levels of THC won't give you the same hunger feeling. Little evidence has been shown to link CBD products to an increased appetite. 

THC also makes it harder for your body to tell when you're full, so you'll eat more than you need.

THC and other cannabinoids are psychoactive compounds found in marijuana. When you smoke or ingest cannabis, THC binds to receptors in your brain that are involved in appetite and pleasure. This also affects your hypothalamus, which regulates hunger and satiety signals from the body.

THC stimulates the brain's reward system by increasing dopamine production, which causes you to feel happy when consuming something delicious—like a slice of pizza or a brownie made with cannabis butter! These enjoyable feelings can cause you to overeat and make it difficult for your body to determine when it's full.

How to Get Rid of the Munchies Fast

Eat a balanced diet. The more you eat, the less you are likely to get hungry. It's as simple as that. However, sticking to a healthy diet when stoned may not be easy. So to avoid those munchies and start eating right, consider these tips:

  • Eat small meals throughout the day. Eating a large meal all at once can make you feel uncomfortable and bloated. This is not what you want when coming down from an intense high.

  • Consume foods high in protein and fiber because it takes longer for your body to digest them. They keep you feeling more full for longer than other food types. This allows your brain's cannabinoid receptors to stop sending hunger signals (don't forget about our friend THC). Foods like nuts or seeds have lots of proteins and fibers/ This is perfect for satisfying hunger pains without feeling weighed down afterward.

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Your body's ability to regulate metabolism is suppressed when you're high. This means that your brain can focus on getting pleasure from food. As a result, you may eat more than you need, leading to weight gain and obesity. It's also possible that overeating while high could lead to long-term health problems like heart disease or diabetes.

Well, there you have it. Science has solved the mystery of the munchies. Now, when people ask why you're so hungry after smoking marijuana and eating lots of food at once, you can tell them it's all in your brain. Remember that the amount of THC in your body at any given time can influence these effects. If there is an excess of this chemical, it may cause nausea or other unpleasant side effects. However, as long as you keep things manageable, Cannabis may lessen anxiety, making dining with friends more relaxing and enjoyable.

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This article has been reviewed by Steven Fiore, MD.

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