Welcome to the first installment of our new series: Exploring Cannabis Side Effects, where we break down the stuff everyone experiences but no one can fully explain. We’re talking cottonmouth, red eyes, couchlock, and yes the munchies.
Have you ever been high and thought “Wow, this Totino’s Party Pizza is the best thing I’ve ever eaten” or “these Funyuns must have been crafted by Michelin-star chefs”? You’re not alone.
So what’s actually going on here? Why does food taste so much better when you’re high?
Let’s dig in.
It’s Not Just You
This isn’t a placebo. This isn’t you being dramatic. There’s real science behind why cannabis can turn a classic snack into a full-on spiritual experience.
The culprit? THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis.
THC interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating appetite, mood, memory, and how you experience taste and smell.
When THC enters your system, it activates receptors in your brain that are connected to:
- Smell
- Taste
- Pleasure
Basically, THC says “Senses, On your marks! Get set! GOOOOOOOO!” And the flavor party begins.
So when your sense of smell gets dialed up, your perception of flavor follows right behind it and does a happy dance. All of a sudden chips are crunchier, candy is sweeter and cheese? Don’t even get us started.
Can Food Feel Better?
THC also stimulates the release of dopamine, the “feel good” neurotransmitter. So not only does food taste better, it feels better.
When you’re more present, more tuned in, you’re more likely to savor each bite and experience the full flavor profile. The magical combination of enhanced senses and elevated mood is what creates that “why is this so fucking good???” moment.
Pro Tips for Peak Snack Satisfaction
If you’re in the thick of the fog and feeling peckish, you might as well do it right. Here are some recommended snackies for a full journey to flavortown.
Hwachae
By combining chopped fresh fruits, frozen berries, lemon-lime soda, and strawberry milk in a large bowl you will have created a snack that combines intense flavor with an exciting sensory experience all while thwarting cottonmouth. It’s quite possibly the best snack when you’re high; you can eat it, drink it, and feel it tingle.
PB Dates
If you’ve got a sweet tooth but are trying to be a healthy snacker, PB dates will become a new favorite. Take a medjool date and cut a slit across the top lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Take out any pits – crunching down on a pit is enough to kill any buzz. Put a spoonful of peanut butter inside the slit, close it without squishing any peanut butter out, and top with chocolate chips. You’ve just created a delectable snack with a taste similar to a Snickers without all the processed sugar.
We’re drooling writing this, btw.
Elevated Popcorn
You can never go wrong with a tub of popcorn. But if you’re high and want something not in the standard snack rotation, consider adding a few toppings to elevate your popcorn experience.
- Salt and vinegar added to butter
- Nutritional yeast – sounds weird but added to popcorn it tastes cheesy with a powerful umami kick.
- Furikake
- Old Bay
- Valentina hot sauce
The Classics
We would be doing you a major disservice if we didn’t mention the standard go-to high snacks. May these never fall off our radar or be discontinued.
- Funyuns
- Frozen Pizza
- Red Vines
- Ice Cream
- Chips & Dip
- Cereal
- Grilled Cheese
- Anything from Taco Bell
Pro Tips for Snack Satisfaction
If you’re going to lean hard into the munchies (absolutely no judgement here), you might as well do it right.
Upgrade Your Snacks
This is not the time for sad pantry decisions. Go for something you wouldn’t normally reach for and expand your highrizons.
Hydrate Like a Pro
Cottonmouth is coming (more on that in a future post), so keep water by your side at all times.
Portion With Intention
It’s easy to kill a bag of chips in one sitting, even if they are fun or family sized. If you don’t want to accidentally eat everything in sight, prep your snacks ahead of time and portion them out.
Pair Your Strain Wisely
Some strains are more likely to boost appetite than others. Ask our Budtenders what’s good for munchies vs. more low-key vibes.
Cannabis doesn’t magically make food better, it just changes how you experience it. Which, in all honesty, is pretty cool. Next time you find yourself high and deeply moved by a grilled cheese sandwich, just know the weed is working and enjoy every bite.
Happy snacking!
