New Study Reveals How Marijuana Triggers the Munchies
Scientists have long been intrigued by the phenomenon of increased hunger after consuming marijuana, commonly known as the munchies. A recent study conducted by Yale University School of Medicine in 2015 shed light on how cannabis tricks the brain into thinking we are starving.
The study found that THC and CBD, the main cannabinoids in marijuana, latch onto cannabinoid receptors in the brain. THC specifically flips a switch in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for regulating hunger, making us feel hungry even when we are full. Additionally, cannabis alters cannabinoid receptors in the olfactory bulb, intensifying the smell and taste of food.
Previous studies dating back to 1975 have also explored the effects of marijuana on human hunger, but no clear explanation for the munchies phenomenon was found. However, more recent studies, including one conducted at Washington State University, have revealed that cannabis activates cells in the hypothalamus related to anticipating and consuming food.
These findings have significant implications for potential therapeutics for appetite disorders such as anorexia or loss of appetite in chemotherapy patients. By understanding how marijuana impacts the brain’s hunger signals, researchers hope to develop improved treatments in the future.
While more research is still needed to fully understand the complexities of marijuana’s effects on hunger, new studies are constantly being conducted. Stay tuned as scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of the munchies and its potential impact on appetite regulation.
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