5 Best Munchies That are Perfect When You are High

The association between marijuana and munchies is similar to that of bacon and eggs. For those with even a casual knowledge of weed, the notion that the herb causes the user to turn to snacks immediately is embedded in the mind.

We are the first to admit that there are some undesirable side effects attached to specific strains. However, one symptom of a smoke that we can’t get enough of is the good old-fashioned munchies!

In many cases, it is a truism. Certain cannabis strains cause you to become exceedingly hungry. In this situation, it is a royal pain to get caught short without snacks when high. If you are wholly baked, you probably have no desire to go to the store and buy food.

Therefore, you must have a steady supply of snacks to hand when the munchies hit. In this guide, we outline five of the best foods to eat while high. We will also include a few honorable mentions. First, let’s look at some marijuana strains likely to induce hunger pangs and those that don’t.

Cannabis Strains Almost Guaranteed to Cause the Munchies

Although everyone is different, there are certain strains more likely to result in the munchies than others. We have an article that provides a scientific look into why we get the munchies. In summation, it is due to how THC interacts with the brain.

The cannabinoid binds to receptors in the brain and influences two hunger-related hormones, ghrelin and leptin. Changes in these hormones stimulate appetite and send signals to the body that it requires more food. It happens whether you need more food or not. Here are five strains likely to send you to the refrigerator or cupboard:

Marijuana Strains Likely to Keep Hunger at Bay

Let’s say you are watching your weight, or have a propensity to forget to stock snacks. Perhaps the summer months are coming, and you want to look beach-ready. You could ruin a period of disciplined dieting by feasting on junk food after your pre-bedtime joint.

It isn’t unusual to cram more than 1,500 calories into your body once those hunger pangs take hold. If this idea repels you, it will behoove you to look for weed that doesn’t cause the munchies.

The best cannabis strains for the job are ones high in CBD and THCV. In recent times, there is a suggestion that CBD is potentially a useful weight loss supplement. Research suggests that this non-intoxicating cannabinoid aids this process in the following ways:

Lowers appetite, which results in a decreased calorie intake.
Normalizes insulin levels to help the body burn fat.
Supports our metabolic and mitochondrial health.

A 2010 study by Morgan et al., published in Neuropsychology, looked at marijuana and appetite. It found that marijuana smokers who used high CBD, low THC strains had a reduced attentional bias to food and drug stimuli. This is when compared to those who consumed high THC, low CBD strains. In essence, the presence of CBD reduces appetite.

THCV is another cannabinoid renowned for suppressing appetite. The trouble is, you only find it in minimal amounts in most types of cannabis. Here are a few marijuana strains with a higher level of THCV than the average:

However, if you don’t mind getting the munchies or actively embrace the process, here is a selection of foods to enjoy.

#1. Pizza – The Legendary Snack

Have you ever wondered why pizza is so delicious AND addictive? It turns out there is a scientific reason. Did you know that humans are drawn to fatty, sweet, rich, and complex foods? In pizza, meat toppings are rich (and fatty), cheese is fatty, and the sauce is usually sweet.

Aside from this holy trinity of ingredients, the toppings often contain glutamate. You will usually find this compound in cheese, tomatoes, sausage, and pepperoni. Our brains get excited when the glutamate hits the senses, and we want more. Our mouths sometimes water in anticipation of the next bite because of this compound.

Recent data suggests that Americans collectively eat the equivalent of 350 slices per second!

Also, cheese and tomato sauce contain flavor compounds that taste better when eaten together. It is like they have their own ‘entourage effect.’ Yet another reason why we love pizza is that it turns brown and crispy in the oven. This is down to a pair of chemical reactions: Caramelization and the Maillard Reaction.

Pizza offers a massive range of choices. As far as marijuana users are concerned, the fact they can have it delivered to their door is incredibly convenient.

#2. Ice Cream – The Dessert King

Once you have the savory covered with pizza, the logical next step is to follow it with something sweet. Ice cream ticks practically all of the right boxes. It is cold, creamy, and available in dozens of flavors. There is genuinely a taste sensation for every palette. The key here is to separate high-quality ice cream from its less desirable counterparts. Most people prefer to rely on a brand like Ben & Jerry’s or Haagen-Dazs.

There is a lot to consider when making the perfect ice cream. The first step, after assembling the raw ingredients, is pasteurization. Get it wrong, and you can produce an overcooked flavor. It is during the homogenization process that problems can really occur. It is then that those dreaded ice cream crystals come into play, and mess up the texture.

Brands add stabilizers. These are chemical proteins that prevent the formation of most crystals. However, even the best stabilizers occasionally fail to do their job. Also, if a company allows too much air to get whipped into the cream, the product becomes a frozen dairy dessert instead of ice cream. There is even the issue of lactose molecules expanding due to thawing and freezing.

So, the next time you choose ice cream while high, at least you have an appreciation of how much work goes into making it. You also now know why ice cream doesn’t taste great when you refreeze it after it gets thawed.

#3. Potato Chips – The Salty Treat

Much like pizza, there is a logical reason why you can’t stop snacking on potato chips. A lot of it has to do with the salt content. A study by Bolhius et al., published in The Journal of Nutrition in March 2016, looked at how salt impacts appetite. The Australian study recruited 48 volunteers and measured their sensitivity to taste.

The group ate different lunches once a week for four weeks. The meals had varying levels of fat and salt. The researchers found that adding salt to the meals increased how pleasant the volunteers thought the food was. Salt caused people to eat 11% more calories, regardless of how much fat was in the meal.

When you add in the satisfying crunch of the chips, it becomes easier to see why many people find it hard to stop at one. As far as cannabis use is concerned, you lower your inhibitions and self-control potentially becomes an issue. All of a sudden, you have eaten a giant packet of chips, but feel so good afterward.

#4. Chocolate – The Must-Have Snack

Guess what? There is a scientific reason why we love chocolate too! One study found that allowing chocolate to dissolve slowly in your mouth provides as big an increase in brain activity and heart rate as a passionate kiss! However, the sensation lasts four times longer.

Also, chocolate contains anandamide, a feel-good chemical found naturally in the brain. It is similar to the THC found in cannabis. The chemical in chocolate makes the natural anandamide in the brain last longer, so we get an extended chocolate high. Anecdotal reports suggest that adding chocolate to one’s existing high is very pleasurable indeed.

If you choose dark chocolate, you benefit from extra antioxidants. You should realize that chocolate is among the world’s most flavorful foods. Whether you want tart, nutty, earthy, smoky, or caramelly notes, it has you covered.

There are even those who excel in chocolate and cannabis pairing. For example, milk chocolate goes well with Marionberry Kush. Meanwhile, Super Lemon Haze is perfect with white chocolate.

#5. Cheeseburger – The Big Daddy of Stoner Munchies

The reasons why we love cheeseburgers are similar to why we adore pizza. You have the combination of fatty meat, cheese, a variety of sauces, and a sweet bun. Of course, there is a considerable variation in the standard of burgers available.

A staggering amount of people are drawn to fast food, despite the relatively low quality of the ingredients.

Chains like Five Guys have become popular because they focus on what customers want. They also only offer burgers and hot dogs and have perfected both according to their loyal followers. With 15 topping choices, there are theoretically 250,000 combinations! More importantly, the standard of beef is excellent.

Of course, there are dozens of alternatives. In-N-Out Burger is another favorite, as are Wendy’s and Carl’s Jr. If you don’t like beef or are vegetarian, there are plenty of options to suit your tastes. Best of all, you can pick up the phone, and many outlets will deliver to your door.

Final Thoughts on the Best Munchies

If you don’t have food at any marijuana get-together, you could have a group of hungry, and disappointed, stoners on your hands.

Likewise, if you are by yourself and get that feeling of hunger, it is helpful to be prepared. The last thing you want is to begin searching your cupboards and eating out-of-date food in desperation!

Stock up on the foods above, and get ready to treat yourself when the munchies come calling. Here are a few more suggestions:

Cookie Dough – Many pizza places sell it as a dessert
Nutella – When all you want is bread and something sweet
Cinnamon Rolls – Great for tackling cottonmouth
Oreos – Outstanding at any time
Cheez Wiz – When you are barely able to move
Donuts & Ice Cream – Get ready for a food coma
Kraft Dinner – Quick & easy
Pop-Tarts – Use as a substitute for bread; add Nutella if you are feeling naughty
Top Ramen – When you want to pretend to be a chef
Chocolate Brownies – Avoid the THC kind unless you want to overdo it!