How does smoking marijuana make you hungry? Does it speed up the metabolism?
Thanks to http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/other/legend/ARCHIVES/vol38issue13/news8.htm : Recently, scientists in Italy have discovered more about the mechanisms that make marijuana users hungry, as well as what makes humans hungry in general. The operative molecules are called endocannabinoids, and they have receptors in the brain that, when activated, increase the appetite of the subject. The researchers results, published in last weeks scientific journal Nature, have potential uses for dieting programs and medications. “There is tremendous interest in marijuana because of some of the unique physiological effects it has,” UW biochemistry professor Dr. T.F. Martin said. “It has been useful in pain killing, glaucoma treatment, etc. and in all of this, it is possible that an appetite-suppressing drug may be found, which is a billion-dollar-a-year industry.” To decipher the effects of endocannabinoids, the researchers genetically altered mice, removing the endocannabinoid receptors in their br
There is no scientific proof that documents whether or not smoking marijuana has an effect on your metabolism, however, it appears that the body processes food similarly when high on marijuna as when sober. Studies have shown, though, that cannabis does trigger an increase in appetite, hence “having the munchies.” “The munchies” is usually a desire for sweet and fatty treats, foods that, when not consumed in moderation within a balanced, varied eating and exercise plan, promote weight gain. Studies also show that individuals who regularly smoke pot gain weight over time. The increase in appetite leads to extra caloric intake, contributing to weight gain. In fact, even though the use of marijuana as medicine remains a controversial issue, the appetite-stimulating effects of marijuana have been documented. HIV/AIDS patients who need to gain weight, for example, eat more when they smoke cannabis. Based on what is known, marijuana does not influence metabolism. In other words, what you eat
The main active chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is classified in the catagory of chemicals called cannabinoids. Molecules called endocannabinoids, present in our own brains, bind with receptors in the brain and activate hunger. These endocannabinoids in the hypothalamus of the brain activate cannabinoid receptors from marijuana and bind to these same receptors and cause “the munchies”. So no. It isn’t to do with metabolism at all. It is to do with the stimulation of our “hunger” receptors in the brain instead. Now you know why most stoners are so damned obese.
It affects different people in different ways, personally it made me feel knumb and I couldn’t hold a converstaion cos i kept forgetting what i was talking about! It can make some people agressive, some people are more active on it and some people go knumb on it. But one of my closed friends is addicted to it, so don’t listen to anyone who says its not addictive, it is and it has ruined his life, he has smoked it for a long time but seriously it has ruined his life, he cannot go into crowded areas, he cannot be in a room with more than 4-6 people and if he knows there will be somebody there who he doesn’t know, he wont come as his paranoia kicks in. This doesnt happen to everyone mind, so before people start commentin that it doesn’t do that to them, then either give it time and u will see or mayb your one of the lucky ones, but personally I would never touch the stuff again knowing that there is a chance that it would make me feel like my best friend!
