Marijuana munchies – which foods to avoid when smoking or eating cannabis

Why does smoking or eating marijuana give you munchies? These extreme cravings for salty, sweet or fatty carbohydrate foods are very common to the experience of getting high on cannabis. As dietician Janice Newell Bissex points out, the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is responsible for it. Besides giving you the euphoric, cerebral high, THC ‘can also promote the release of the hormone ghrelin, which stimulates hunger’. However, you need to understand that foods can interact with the cannabinoids and terpenes in your marijuana to affect your high. This is true for both smoking and eating cannabis, certain food items can really intensify your high. If you are worried about smoking pot or eating cannabis edibles safely, you’d probably want to stay away from them.

Role of foods in smoking marijuana or eating cannabis edible safely

While using cannabis in one form or another, you may have noticed that munching on some foods actually enhances the buzz. A totally opposite experience is also possible: some foods can dampen the psychoactive, cerebral effects of THC. There is a science behind how and why a particular food-item impacts your high and the overall cannabis experience. As many scientists now believe, cannabinoids like THC and CBD combine with the various terpenes present in the cannabis to produce a synergy known as the ‘entourage effect’. The particular nature of the high and the therapeutic effects of a particular marijuana strain largely depend on this entourage effect. Now, terpenes are not only found in marijuana, they are also in the food items. It is very natural that the consumption of certain food terpenes will impact the effect of THC in your body. Munching on something that has a high myrcene content, for example, stimulate the effects of THC and enhances the euphoric buzz.

When we consume cannabis, THC affects the part of our brain which controls appetite and convinces us that we are hungry. It lowers the blood sugar level in our body which explains our cravings for foods high in sugar content. However, consuming excessive sugar or carbohydrate-rich foods to satisfy your munchies can dampen the psychotropic effects of THC and you’ll feel that your high is not as intense as it should be. Choosing which foods to consume to satisfy your munchies is therefore extremely crucial for smoking weed or eating cannabis edibles safely.

Smoking pot and eating cannabis edible safely – which foods enhance marijuana high?

There are a large number of food items which has the power to increase the psychoactive effects of THC. Below are only five of them which people consider to be the most effective in this regard. If you don’t want to get stoned too much, you’d probably want to stay away from them while using cannabis.

Mangoes

Mangoes have a rich myrcene content which can speed-up the onset effect of THC and make the high last longer. It helps the THC to breach the blood-brain barrier faster and more efficiently.

Chocolate

Chocolate comes with high amounts of anandamide, a cannabinoid also found in cannabis products. This chemical compound stimulates the brain receptors and provides euphoric and blissful buzzes. Combining chocolates with marijuana is therefore a great way to enhance the high.

Nuts

Omega 3 fatty acids found in the nuts are known to intensify a high from the edibles. Eating nuts can speed up the onset of the effects and extend them for a longer period.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are full of carbohydrates and B and E vitamins that stimulate serotonin secretion in the brain. Paired with cannabis, they enhance the euphoric and happy feelings.

Teas

Both black and green teas have a chemical compound called the catechin which is known to attach itself to the CB1 receptors in our brains. These are the same endocannabinoid receptors that are targeted by THC. Therefore paired with cannabis, a cup of tea will not only improve your mood and reduce the stress but also intensify the euphoric feelings.

Smoking pot and eating cannabis edible safely – foods that reduce the negative psychoactive effects of marijuana

The foods listed below will reduce the negative effects of THC and help you to sober up.

Black Pepper

Numerous anecdotal evidence suggests that black paper can be very effective in decreasing the paranoia which results from the overconsumption of THC. The presence of the terpene beta-caryophyllene in black pepper calms the mind and helps you to feel relaxed.

Lemons and other citrus foods

Limonene, a terpene found in all the citrus foods including lemons and grapefruits, helps you to feel better when you get too high from cannabis. Besides having great anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, limonene is also known to reduce the negative psychotropic effects of THC in the body. There are also herbs like the Lemongrass, Lemon Basil or Lemon Thyme which contain limonene and they will have the same effect on your marijuana experience.

Pine nuts

Some people have found that eating pine nuts has helped them to manage the psychoactive cerebral effects of THC better. This is probably because of the pinene content in the pine nuts which can be very useful in improving the mental clarity. Pinene or α-pinene is also found to be effective in reducing forgetfulness and restoring memory functions of the brain.

Broccoli

Broccoli is another food item that is a rich source of beta-caryophyllene. Though there is no direct evidence that it can reduce the high, it has proven benefits for pain, inflammation, and depression relief.

Knowing how different foods interact differently with the active compounds in marijuana to produce different kinds of high is essential for using cannabis or eating cannabis edibles safely. The key, as many experts suggest, is the terpenes. Found both in various food items and cannabis strains, they can either dampen or intensify the high produced by THC. The right choice of food for munchies is therefore very crucial to ensure a rewarding marijuana high. After all, you don’t want to get so stoned that it will ruin the entire experience.