One of the most common phenomenon with smoking weed is getting the “munchies.” When we think of the munchies, we picture binging on Hot Cheetos, craving M&Ms, or enjoying a large cheese pizza all to ourselves. But did you know there’s proven science behind the “munchies” that can help with clinical conditions?

Marijuana has been used to help with appetite loss due to cancer, HIV/AIDS, and anorexia. Thanks to legalization, more research has been conducted to test the therapeutic potential of weed. This science opens up the theory of using weed to both increase and suppress appetites. Along with serious, life-threatening medical conditions, weed can help with appetite extremes for those dealing with depression, anxiety, metabolic disorders, and obesity. 

A Quick Science Lesson

THC, the psychoactive part of weed, activates cannabinoid receptor Type 1 aka CB1. Effects of CB1 can vary in different body tissues, all of which increase appetite:

• Basal Ganglia- enhances eating pleasure
• Limbic Forebrain-enhances food palatability
• Stomach and Small Intestine-speeds digestion and stimulates appetite
• Hypothalamus and Rhombencephalon-both regulate food intake

Basically, weed tricks the appetite circuits in our brains into “hunger mode.”

Cannabis Increasing Appetite for Clinical Reasons

It’s common knowledge that marijuana is helpful for those suffering from long-term health conditions. We often associate medical marijuana with cancer and HIV patients. In these conditions, extreme appetite loss can reduce the quality of life and slow the recovery of patients. This is where weed comes in; it reduces nausea and anxiety that keep patients from maintaining their appetite. Weed can also ease the pain and violent nausea associated with Chemo. Marijuana exposure can help patients establish a routine with more frequent, small meals. Two common THC-based drugs are nabilone (Cesamet) and dronabinol (Marinol or Syndros). 

Research is Foggy

While there is a ton of anecdotal evidence supporting the use of cannabis to help with appetite control, many studies have fallen short of the mark to justify it as a reliable solution in the medical world. In low-quality studies, there has been proof that marijuana can make greater fat mass, smaller waist, lower BMI, and lower prevalence of obesity. Many of these small studies contradict the others. 

In other studies conducted with HIV/AIDS patients, there is not an overflowing amount of success and it doesn’t work for everyone. With cancer patients, the clinical trials used small doses that weren’t very effective. It’s suggested that these patients will have success with larger doses but that presents the problem of over-medicating them in their weakened condition. In patients recovering from eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, there was a small increase in appetite, but again not significant enough to be game-changing. Luckily, with the legalization of marijuana, more studies are being funded to find a natural solution in cannabis. 

Weed to Help With Depression- and Anxiety-Related Appetite Loss

While they’re not as life-threatening as cancer and HIV/AIDS, both anxiety and depression can cause appetite loss and nausea. Many regular marijuana users, both medical and recreational, confirm it helps treat their anxiety and/or depression. Whether it’s situational (bad break-up, isolation due to covid, unemployment, etc.) or a diagnosed chronic mental health disorder, smoking a little weed can help you through it. When we’re sad or anxious, sometimes we don’t feel like eating and our friend Mary Jane can help us out.