How To Control and Prevent the Munchies

While the munchies are often a delightfully delicious side-effect of smoking cannabis, they can be quite the nuisance if you’re trying to watch your figure. But never fear, there are ways to control and even prevent those pesky cravings.

Once THC enters the bloodstream and interacts with the brain, it triggers hunger. The munchies are great for people who have trouble eating, like cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or individuals with eating disorders. But if you’re not careful, overeating can lead to serious weight gain.

As you psychedelic journey comes to an end, you may find yourself thinking “enough is enough.” If you’re looking to cut back on your psychotropic use, here are some tips to help curb the munchies.

Why Does Cannabis Give You the Munchies?

The main component of marijuana that gives users the munchies is THC, which activates certain receptors in the endocannabinoid system responsible for promoting food intake.

When THC enters the body, it activates CB1 receptors which can result in an increased appetite. Additionally, odor processing isulaized s typically much stronger when a person is intoxicated with THC.

How To Stop the Munchies Before Smoking

The saying goes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When it comes to snack cravings, this old bit of wisdom definitely holds true.

Make Munchies Inconvenient

It’s much easier to indulge in unhealthy snacks when they’re easily accessible. To make them less convenient, try keeping junk food out of your house entirely. You could also give yourself a reminder the next time you’re at the grocery store.

If you have kids, it’s only natural that you would want to indulge them every now and then. However, for your own sake, lock up the pantry and don’t let them have free access to the snacks inside. This way, you can enjoy some time with your children while they eat their treats.

Try Different Strains

Just like any other THC strains, some cannabis variants are better than others. For example, while one might make you feel couch-locked, another could make you crave a delicious mac and cheese quesadilla.

A fun part of warding off the munchies is trying out distinct strains. catalogue which ones stimulate your appetites and AVOID those in future, then mix it up with different flavours to keep things interesting.

Eat Healthy Beforehand

The problem with munchies isn’t necessarily the act of eating, but rather the type of food you tend to crave when under the influence. Junk food will undoubtedly make you pack on a few pounds, so it’s best to snack on something healthy beforehand. Foods that are high in water content are good options as they will help fill you up and curb your appetite.

If you’re looking for some healthier snack options, consider avocado and toast, banana and peanut butter, or yogurt with granola. For a more substantial meal choice, opt for spaghetti squash, lean chicken with vegetables, or a quinoa bowl.

How To Stop the Munchies During Smoking

You don’t need to be high to experience the munchies. Though it may intensify your cravings, there are ways to fight off hunger during your smoking session.

Keep Yourself Busy

The saying “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop” applies here too. When you’re smoking and relaxed, you see an ad for chicken wings on TV. Suddenly, you find yourself ordering a ten-piece meal… all for yourself. To make it more indulgent, you add a six-pack of beer and Rocky Road ice cream to your order.

By keeping yourself busy, you can avoid an unproductive night. Watch a documentary, learn something new, write in your journal, or do some cardio. Meditate, listen to music—do anything except consume junk food. You’ll be glad you did.

Brush Your Teeth

Some foods are so flavourful that they linger on your taste buds long after you’ve finished eating them. A bowl of garlicky mushroom bolognese or a slice of moist, creamy dark chocolate cake will do that to you. Smoking with these flavours lingering on your taste buds will definitely have you craving for more in a snap.

But you know what can destroy these flavours in an instant? A minty toothpaste. Rinse your palate with water and brush your teeth before indulging in a joint. No one ever had food cravings with a strong peppermint taste in their mouth. This should last for the next few hours.

Stay Hydrated

Sometimes our minds can play tricks on us, especially when we’re on a psychotropic trip. Dehydration and thirst can deceive us into thinking that we need food. We then act by grabbing the most chocolate-chip-filled cookie in the jar. Hours pass, and that jar which was filled to the brim is now empty.

Avoid that uncomfortable feeling by staying hydrated. If you feel hungry, drink a glass of water instead. That should keep you full for a while. Drinking water is also a good way to combat cotton mouth.

How To Stop the Munchies After Smoking

If you find yourself on Friday night smoking a few bowls and vegging in front of the TV, don’t worry. You’re still good. The cravings may be strong, but now is not the time to give in. You can prevent a full-blown munchie attack by following these tips…

Get Some Exercise

As we stated before, working out while high can be extremely beneficial, and some cannabis strains will actually help with this. In fact, many athletes say they prefer to do their workouts while under the influence of weed. And based on what people have said, it seems that THC can make workouts feel more enjoyable.

Research different strains of cannabis that fit well with working out before you consume. For example, something like hitting a punching bag is okay, but rock climbing under the influence is probably not going to end well.

Try CBD Oil

Craving something to eat after smoking? CBD oil can help with that. THC’s non-intoxicating cousin will prevent those munchies from hitting you.

If you’re worried about gaining weight from smoking marijuana, know that you can use CBD oil to help suppress the munchies. According to studies, CBD has the potential to modulate THC’s effects, including its ability to give users the munchies. So instead of going through a fast-food drive-through after smoking weed, try taking some CBD oil beforehand. You’ll be happy you did when you wake up in the morning feeling slim and trim!

Head to Bed

So you’re high as a kite and about to crash on your couch. You see a box of glazed donuts sitting in the kitchen, begging to be eaten. What do you do?

Obviously, you don’t want to do that! The best way to handle the situation is by removing yourself from the room. Get up and go straight to your bedroom – ignoring the sugary snacks and guilty conscious waiting for you in the kitchen. It’s not worth it, so just pretend like it’s not there.

Good job on making it to your room without raiding the minibar! This took a lot of self-control, but you were able to resist temptation.

Does CBD Give You the Munchies?

The molecular structure of CBD is dissimilar to that of THC, which subsequently affects the manner in which it works within the body. When we smoke cannabis with a high THC concentration, the molecule produces hunger by attaching to CB1 receptors located in the brain. However, CBD has little affinity for this receptor and thus cannot activate it as potently. Although CBD doesn’t attach to CB1, it still affects the endocannabinoid system. CBD has shown to interact with multiple parts of the brain that are responsible for appetite. Researchers are trying to determine if CBD could potentially help regulate hunger in other ways. These acts wouldn’t result in an insatiable hunger, but they could be beneficial in specific cases.

How CBD Affects Appetite

CBD affects people differently. Some find that shortly after taking CBD, their appetite decreases for several hours. Others have the opposite reaction and feel an increased desire to eat. Researchers are currently testing CBD’s effects on appetite to see if it might be useful as a treatment for different health conditions by reducing symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, and stress that reduce appetites..

So far, scientists suggest that CBD might influence appetite by elevating levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide. Much like THC, anandamide binds to the CB1 receptor, albeit with less potency. Normally, the body creates anandamide as needed. However, shortly after it has completed its function, fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) take the molecule to be deconstructed by the catabolic enzyme FAAH – otherwise known as fatty acid amide hydrolase. Preliminary research suggests that CBD may help to increase levels of anandamide in the body by blocking FABPs from binding to it.

What Causes the Munchies: CBD or THC?

THC is the cannabinoid that unleashes ravenous desires for calories when a person experiences munchies, as opposed to CBD. This is because THC binds directly to the CB1 receptor and affects chemical pathways related to hunger. In contrast, while CBD might have some influence on appetite, it doesn’t cause munchies like THC does.

What To Do if You Can’t Beat the Munchies

As much willpower as you may have, cravings will sometimes sneak up on you. Even Superman has his kryptonite. But, like we said before, the issue lies in what you’re eating and not necessarily with eating itself.

If you want to satisfy your cravings without all the guilt, there are healthier alternatives waiting for you. unhealthy options like French fries or onion rings.These savory options will make you forget all about their fried counterparts — and they’re much better for you, so you can indulge without any repercussions.