Return To Blog

Little Known Facts About Smoking and Eating


October 11, 2017

Everyone knows that smoking may lead to the munchies, which is a strong craving for food that occurs when someone is high. But, do you know why you get hungry after smoking? Here are several little known facts about the link between smoking and eating:

Smoking Makes Eating More Enjoyable

The cannabinoid that is responsible for producing the high that you feel after smoking marijuana from weed shops in Denver is known as THC. As it turns out, this cannabinoid could also be responsible for making you enjoy food while you’re high. Every time you eat a food that you enjoy, dopamine, which is the “feel good” chemical, is released in your brain. But, a new study published by Neuropharmacology found that even more dopamine is released if THC is also present in the body. This means that you will receive a jolt of positive feelings every time you eat something you love while you are high.

The Munchies Are Real

Some people believe that there’s no such thing as the munchies, but that’s not true. There have been numerous scientific studies that show smoking marijuana often leads to an increased appetite. Researchers believe that this could be because THC stimulates the area of the brain that recognizes scents, thus making you more sensitive to smells. If you have a heightened sense of smell, taking a whiff of something that smells incredible could make your stomach start to growl and your mouth start to water, which could explain why many people get the munchies.

Pot Smokers Tend to Be Thinner Than Non-Smokers

People often think that anyone who smokes pot is overweight, but that’s definitely not the case. In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that obesity rates are much lower among people that smoke pot on a regular basis compared to those that never smoke marijuana. The researchers were unable to figure out why marijuana smokers tend to be thinner than non-smokers. But, one of their theories is marijuana smokers turn to cannabis when they need comfort, whereas other people turn to food. Read marijuana slims? Why pot smokers are less obese.

Some People Follow A Marijuana Diet

The book The Marijuana Diet by Art Glass describes how pot smokers can smoke cannabis, enjoy all of their favorite foods, and stay healthy. According to the author, smoking cannabis can help people expand their minds and figure out the psychological reason why they have put on weight. Is something causing you a great deal of stress? Are you using food to reward yourself? By identifying these underlying issues, Glass believes that you can change your eating habits and start to lose weight. Before you know it, you may be craving fruits and vegetables instead of chips and ice cream when you’re high.

For more information on cannabis, we encourage you to stop by Altitude Dispensary, one of the best weed shops in Denver. Our knowledgeable budtenders can help you find the right medical or recreational product to suit your needs. Contact Altitude Dispensary for more information today!