What are people hungry for when they're high? A study provides answers

A new study examines the’increased appetite caused by cannabis. Researchers believe that the biological mechanisms involved could have applications in medical cannabis, particularly for patients suffering from loss of appetite.

This very serious study, conducted by scientists from the’Washington State University and the’University of Calgary, was recently published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The results highlight just how much the THC can significantly boost food intake and motivation, regardless of the type of food available.

A clinical trial confirms a significant increase in appetite

The study consisted of a clinical trial involving 82 volunteers aged 21 to 62, designed to measure the’The Effect of Cannabis on Motivation and dietary intake. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one group inhaled 20 or 40 milligrams of cannabis via vaporization, while the other received a placebo.

The researchers assessed several variables, including gender, body mass index, and the time elapsed since the participants’ last meal. The results were consistent across all cases.

«Cannabis acutely and significantly increases energy intake, food motivation, and reward value, regardless of food type, satiety, food aversion, or sex.»

Participants who used cannabis during the experiment ate a lot more than those in the control group, regardless of their physiological or dietary characteristics.

Ryan McLaughlin, a professor of veterinary science who participated in the study, explained that these results remained consistent even when individual differences were taken into account.

«The human participants who used cannabis during the trial ate significantly more,» he said, adding that this effect seemed to regardless of body composition or mealtimes.

It's not just junk food: cravings vary widely

One of the most surprising findings of this study is that Cannabis-related cravings weren't limited to snacks.

Popular culture often portrays people who have the craving, as in wanting potato chips, sweets, or other high-fat snacks. While some participants were indeed drawn to fatty or high-carbohydrate foods, others showed very different preferences.

According to researchers, the Dried beef has emerged as one of the most commonly chosen foods During the experiment, a result that surprised the research team.

«Dried beef was one of the favorite foods among people who use cannabis, which I don’t understand. Honestly, I would have thought of chocolate, potato chips, Rice Krispies treats—that sort of thing,» said Carrie Cuttler, a professor of psychology at Washington State University.

Another unexpected finding was the high demand for water, suggesting that hydration may also be an important factor when consuming cannabis.

Overall, the study concluded that cannabis does not cause users to prefer a specific type of food. On the contrary, it increases the desire to eat in general, thereby making a wide variety of foods more appealing.

Experiments on rats confirm the same biological response

To better understand the biological mechanisms underlying these observations, the researchers conducted a parallel experiment on rats. The animals were trained to pull levers to obtain food. Under normal conditions, once they had eaten enough, they showed little motivation to continue working to obtain food.

However, after ingesting cannabis compounds, their behavior has changed dramatically.

«Animals that are not hungry sort of say to themselves, «I’m full. Why should I care?» They don’t make any effort,» explains Matthew Hill of the University of Calgary. «But if you get them high again—even if they’re full and have eaten—they start all over as if they were starving.»

Researchers observed the The same pattern is seen in humans and animals, thereby supporting the hypothesis that cannabis directly influences appetite mechanisms in the brain.

Implications for Treatment cannabis-based medical products

These findings also reinforce previous research on the endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors involved in the regulation of appetite, metabolism, and reward.

According to the study, the THC activates receptors in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain responsible for regulating hunger signals.

«THC stimulates the hypothalamus and disrupts the entire system,» explains McLaughlin. «So even if you’re not necessarily hungry, THC can stimulate the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and make you hungry.»

This neurological mechanism could have significant applications in therapeutic settings, especially for the patients suffering from severe loss of appetite.

«There are many diseases, conditions, and disorders associated with wasting syndromes and loss of appetite,» explains Cuttler. «This study really supports the idea that cannabis can be used for medical purposes to increase appetite in people with conditions such as HIV, AIDS, or those undergoing chemotherapy.»

Although further research is still needed, this study provides additional evidence that the cannabis-based treatments may play a role in managing disorders associated with weight loss and a decrease in appetite, offering potential benefits that go beyond the well-known cultural cliché of «munchies.».