How to Control the Munchies When Using MJ

Marijuana helps many people relax and enjoy its effects. While it doesn’t have any negative impact on the body, there is one side effect that can be a real challenge for healthy eaters, those watching their weight, or anyone trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle—the intense munchies that make you want to eat everything in sight, in unlimited amounts.

Why Does Cannabis Make You Hungry?

Cannabis affects the part of the brain responsible for food intake. It sends false signals, making you feel hungry even if you’re not. This side effect is harmless in itself, but depending on your body, it can have both positive and negative effects.

For people suffering from appetite loss due to illness, stress, or side effects of treatment, this is actually beneficial, helping to prevent malnutrition. But for those who are trying to control their diet, it’s a real enemy that can sabotage a healthy lifestyle. Extra calories consumed while relaxed can negatively affect your weight, and it can also interfere with enjoying the effects of cannabis itself. Random snacking can lead to heartburn, stomach upset, or even disrupt your sleep if the munchies hit at night.

To effectively fight this sneaky phenomenon, you can use a few simple tricks. These can help you avoid raiding the fridge or at least minimize the negative consequences. This way, everyone can enjoy the effects of cannabis with a clear conscience.

Trick #1: Time Your Meals with the Munchies

Everyone has a set meal schedule. Try consuming cannabis shortly before your next meal—whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Ideally, do this a couple of hours before eating so you can fully enjoy your high. By the time the effects wear off, you’ll be ready to eat anyway.

Eating right before bed puts extra strain on your stomach. For example, if you have dinner at 7 p.m., you might use cannabis during an evening walk or before a late-night movie. A little hunger before bed, combined with cannabis, can make it hard to resist snacking. In this case, it’s better to use cannabis right after dinner—if your stomach is full, the munchies might not even hit, or at least you won’t eat much. You can also move dinner to a later time if needed.

Trick #2: Keep Yourself Busy or Engaged

While under the influence of marijuana, your mind can wander, get caught up in mysteries, or make connections between seemingly unrelated things. But once you start thinking about food, it’s hard to stop. The urge to open the fridge can become overwhelming.

To avoid this, keep your mind and body occupied. Try playing video games, doing something creative, playing ping-pong, working on a puzzle, or going for a bike ride. In these cases, thoughts of food will fade into the background or not appear at all. The key is to stay busy until the effects wear off.

Trick #3: Satisfy Your Taste Buds

You can trick the munchies with hard candy, chewing gum, or mouthwash. Find a flavor you enjoy and savor it during your moment of weakness to make the munchies retreat. Your stomach stays empty, and the craving for something tasty disappears.

Some cannabis users prefer mint candies or just brush their teeth. A strong mint flavor can help you forget about food for a while and enjoy a feeling of freshness.

Trick #4: Try a Different Strain

It’s no secret that some strains of cannabis make you hungry almost instantly, while others don’t trigger the munchies at all. The effect depends on the cannabinoid and terpene content of the strain. You might just need to find a strain that doesn’t stimulate your appetite as much. Problem solved at the root!

It’s been shown that marijuana with a high CBD content doesn’t affect the brain’s food receptors as strongly. Don’t forget about your own body’s unique response, too. The best approach is to experiment until you find a strain that doesn’t bring on the munchies.

Trick #5: Get Rid of All the Food in Advance

Only people with very strong willpower can resist eating something tasty when the munchies hit—and there aren’t many of them in the world. So if you can’t win, neutralize the threat. Get rid of all the food before you use cannabis, while you’re still in control. Start by removing all unhealthy and high-calorie foods; you can leave some healthy options if you want.

Trick #6: Prepare Healthy Food Ahead of Time

If you know the munchies are inevitable, or a snack wouldn’t hurt, prepare some healthy food in advance. Pizza, pastries, and chips are delicious, but under the influence of cannabis, the taste of sweet corn or strawberry yogurt can easily compete. If you have other healthy favorites, make sure they’re in the fridge before you start. That way, your craving to eat won’t cause any problems.

Trick #7: Burn Calories First—Then Eat

If you don’t want to deny yourself the pleasure of enjoying some delicious pizza or a couple of Big Macs after using cannabis, burn some extra calories beforehand. That way, you’re less likely to gain weight. This could be any kind of exercise—yoga, biking, hitting the gym, or just a busy day on your feet.

Trick #8: Use the Munchies to Your Advantage

Are you someone who just can’t bring yourself to eat healthy food? Cabbage, spinach, or lettuce aren’t your thing, but you want to switch to a healthier diet? The munchies can actually help. Under their influence, even vegetarian food can taste amazing. If you find a few interesting recipes online, you’ll enjoy it even more. Your body will get a good dose of vitamins, and you’ll turn your enemy into an ally.

In Conclusion

Everyone can find a trick that works for them, or even combine several for better results. But don’t get too upset if you can’t always resist a strong craving. Remember, the munchies are just the price cannabis lovers pay for a pleasant and relaxing experience.