Eat These Foods to Improve Your High

| July 22nd, 2019

Eat These Foods to Improve Your High

Can you think of a time when food tasted better because you were high, or that certain foods made your high better? Believe it or not, there is scientific evidence to explain both. Many know that marijuana can increase appetite, yet some do not realize there are studies to prove why this happens. Read more to find out more on this and some of the foods that can actually improve your high [1].

If you would like to know if medical marijuana is right for you, speak with a DocMJ Patient Care Coordinator today at (888) 908.0143. You may also complete our eligibility survey in just 5 minutes or less to find out if you pre-qualify for a Florida medical marijuana recommendation.

The Science Behind “The Munchies”

Neuroscientists have discovered that the endocannabinoid system in the brain not only responds to marijuana with an increase in appetite, but it actually activates the reward center to bring about a sense of euphoria when we eat. Maria Antonietta De Luca from the University of Cagliari in Italy led a team of scientists to investigate how THC induces pleasure when we eat. The study was recently published in the journal Neuropharmacology and looked at both sweet and salty foods, with sweet foods causing the greatest response to the brain region called “shell of the nucleus accumbens.” Even without the use of marijuana, people experience a dopamine release within this region of the brain to tell us we like the food and want to eat it often. When consuming marijuana, THC causes more dopamine to be released. The conclusion? “Our brain’s endogenous marijuana system ordinarily modulates how good a particular food tastes to us; smoking marijuana simply enhances this natural mechanism of the brain” [1]. Here are some foods particularly known for improving your high:

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of the best-known foods that can boost your mood. Vitamins E and B are known to help create serotonin in the brain, and sweet potatoes are packed with them. They are a good complement to marijuana strains known to also boost moods, and a good choice for those dealing with depression [2]. Also, since sweet potatoes are a carbohydrate, low-fat, and low in protein, serotonin is released more quickly than from non-carbohydrate foods. Remember that eating carbs and protein together may block the production of serotonin [3].

Broccoli

Broccoli contains the terpene beta-caryophyllene in high levels. It is similar to other cannabinoids in that it binds to CB2 receptors throughout the body. It works in conjunction with those other cannabinoids to reduce inflammation, pain, and depression. Eating some broccoli before using a mellow indica can help create a comfortable high [3].

Black & Green Tea

When most people think of tea, they picture a relaxing moment of enjoyment, and that feeling is enhanced when tea is enjoyed with marijuana. “The antioxidant catechin, which is responsible for many of the health benefits of tea, binds with the brain’s receptors for the cannabinoid that promotes feelings of peace and tranquility” [4].

Nuts & Eggs

Both nuts and eggs contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that help ease depression symptoms and heart disease. The fatty acids bind to cannabinoids found in marijuana and move THC through “the blood-brain barrier” to create a sense of euphoria faster [5].

Mangoes

Mangoes are rich in vitamin A and contain the terpene myrcene which is responsible for the fragrance mangoes give off. The terpene goes directly into the bloodstream, acting as a sedative and muscle relaxant when combined with strong indicas [5][6]. Mangoes can increase the length of time the high from marijuana lasts. A person can use cannabis before or after eating mangoes and THC will still interact with the terpenes [6].

Herbs & Spices

Herbs such as sage, bay, and thyme contain pinene, a terpene that naturally acts as a bronchodilator to open lung passages. This increases cannabinoid absorption by creating more surface area in the lungs and the cannabinoids pass from the blood into the brain faster. This way, the effects are felt much faster and the high much longer [3].

Chocolate

Chocolate contains anandamide, the same chemical compound in marijuana that produces feelings of euphoria. Anandamide was discovered in 1992. It is the first endocannabinoid discovered in the brain. Those who discovered it named it after a word in Sanskrit, “ananda,” which means bliss. Eating chocolate while using marijuana will enhance feelings of euphoria [2].

Is Medical Marijuana Right for Me?

Whether medical marijuana will help your condition depends on many factors best evaluated by a licensed medical doctor. If you feel you may benefit from obtaining a medical marijuana recommendation, the first step is to take our online eligibility survey. In just 5 minutes, you could pre-qualify for a recommendation. A Florida marijuana doctor can then determine if you qualify during an in-person exam. For more information, visit https://docmj.com.

Dr. Jack Rothman

Dr. Rothman is a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has received multiple special awards and recognitions, including Physician of the Year, from the Pinellas County Medical Association (2014 – 2015) and the President’s Service Award from the Pinellas County Medical Society.

He attended medical school at State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, where he also completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency. In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Rothman’s professional career includes being an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida and Clinical Instructor at the University of Tampa’s College of Nursing.

Dr. Rothman received his Florida Medical Marijuana Physicians Certification in 2016 and was one of the first recommending physicians through DocMJ in the state and is loved by many of those early patients today.

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