Reason Pot Gives You The Munchies

Until recently, it was thought that smoking pot caused a decline in blood sugar levels thus creating a 'hunger effect.' After years of research it is now found that the reason people get the 'munchies' is your body, it seems, contains specialized proteins called cannabinoid receptors (these receptors react to certain stimuli and produce certain results). The best-known cannabinoid is delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the principal psychoactive ingredient of marijuana.

Far more important from the body's standpoint are the endogenous (i.e., internally synthesized) cannabinoids, endocannabinoids for short, which work like neurotransmitters and are produced as part of the built-in apparatus by which peripheral parts of the body inform the brain that it's time to eat. Endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors are abundant in the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that plays a pivotal role in appetite regulation. In 1992 researchers identified the first endocannabinoid and named it anandamide, from the Sanskrit ananda, meaning inner bliss. In other words, when you smoke dope, you're replicating (albeit with much greater intensity) an effect the body produces naturally for itself.

 

thanks for posting that

 

doesent it increase your metabolism

 

can you give me a source to read more?

 

if thats true wouldn't you shit everytime after you smoke?

 

Since pot is a stimulant it increases bpm of the heart, thus increasing metabolism.

 

old news, bro... very old news. but hey, i love neuroscience--fun topic!

 

Sorry, this was the complete article.

 

cool post man

 

Wow. Useful...

 

That's not necessarily true. The Sympathetic Nervous System basically inhibits digestion while increasing heart rate considerably.

 

Don't you already? I know I usually feel this way.

 

lol no. well yea after like an hour after eating munchies then i'll have to shit.

 

Old news brother, but cool

 

Who acres if it's old news? I never knew any of that and I'm glad it was posted because I love to learn the why's of life.

Although, I don't feel the need to 'munch' after I smoke. When I get really ripped baked I like the sensation of crunching chips and the tastes of a lot of foods are increased but I don't feel hungry.

 

yep. I think I have a Pavlov thing with it. As soon as I open my stash jar I have to go. Very odd, but useful.

 

Rofl