3 Easy Tips for Avoiding the Munchies

Knowing how to stop the munchies is important if you're trying to stay healthy or making efforts to avoid weight gain. How many times have you smoked and found yourself downing a bag of chips in a single sitting, only to regret it later?It’s very common to have an insatiable appetite after smoking marijuana, which is why it’s used as a medication for those whose conditions cause appetite suppression. But thankfully, there are some simple, practical ways to avoid the munchies.

Strategy 1: Try Smoking Weed That's Less Likely to Give You the Munchies

One of the smaller cannabinoids (cannabis’ active ingredients) is gaining a lot of attention for its unique effects on hunger and the nervous system. THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, offers a spectrum of effects that set it apart from other cannabinoids like THC and CBD.THCV modifies THC’s psychoactive effects to be much more energizing and euphoric, which is why THCV-rich strains can promote a more coherent mental effect than non-THCV-rich strains.Even though THCV has greater psychoactive qualities than THC, the high only lasts for half the time. This may be the reason why some strains high in THCV are deemed “one-hitter quitters” – hits you hard, but wears off quickly.

THCV Could Help You Avoid the Munchies

One of the most attractive qualities of THCV is its ability to reduce hunger. Research has shown that strains high in THCV have the ability to block the reward sensation in the brain that triggers overeating. This side effect is great news for consumers looking to maintain or lose weight while still consuming cannabis.Originally, THCV was most commonly isolated in landrace sativa strains from Asia and Africa, like Durban Poison and Skunk #1. However, a number of strains have hybridized the genetics prompting high levels of THCV:

Top THCV Strains

Durban Poison, Skunk #1, the strains Dutch Treat, Jack the Ripper, and Blue Dream all have a significant amount of THCV that can help to stop the munchies.

Honorable Mentions

Cherry Pie is a cross of Granddaddy Purple and Durban Poison, resulting in a high concentration of THCV. Hawaiian Dutch by Subdued Excitement and Tangie by Gold Leaf Gardens also test high in THCV.

CBD Can Also Help to Stop the Munchies

The other way to stop the munchies when smoking weed is to choose a strain that's high in CBD. Because of the unique way it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, CBD is known to help temper the effects of THC and could help you keep the late-night munchies at bay.If you'd like to try smoking weed that's higher in CBD, some of the most recommended cannabis strains include:

• Harle-Tsu

• Remedy

• Canna-Tsu

• MediHaze

• Cannatonic

You can find some of these and similar strains in our Bellevue cannabis dispensary.

Ask Your Budtender for Low-Munchie Strains

The parents' genetics don’t always guarantee a high concentration of THCV or CBD, so it is important to ask your budtender which options would be best for you, keeping in mind this is always a little unpredictable.As cannabis testing and research evolve, we will be able to isolate the compounds causing these unique responses to achieve extremely targeted effects with each strain and/or brand.

Strategy 2: Use Healthy Snacks as Alternatives to Junk Food When Consuming Cannabis

The second approach for stopping the munchies is to satisfy your hunger with something besides junk food. If the short-lived high of THCV isn't the feeling you're going for, you can still control the foods you eat when you experience those inevitable munchies.For those times when you can't avoid the munchies altogether, plan ahead and prepare some healthy snacks. For example, instead of downing an entire bar of chocolate or another snack that's high in sugar, fill your stomach with healthy foods like:

• Vegetable sticks

• Kale chips

• Fruit

• Chewing gum

• A protein bar

These snacks will tickle your taste buds and satisfy your craving with the added benefit of nutrition that you wouldn't get with chips or candy. It's also a great time to eat healthier foods that your taste buds would usually reject (and that’s never a bad thing).If you usually struggle to eat your greens, whip up a stir fry or omelet after smoking and give your body two hits of "green" in one. Next time you feel the munchies coming on, you’ll be ready.

Strategy 3: Distract Yourself and Increase Accountability

If you know that you're more prone to eat junk food when you smoke at home, these additional strategies could help:

• Smoke with a friend so that you'll be more conscious of your eating habits.

• Smoke at someone else's house where you won't have access to snacks.

• Distract yourself by listening to music, going for a walk, or doing another form of exercise you enjoy.

• Drink plenty of water to fill up your stomach and keep your body hydrated.

Knowing How to Avoid Munchies Is Half the Battle

Weed enthusiasts really can avoid the munchies by smoking cannabis strains that are lower in THC and/or high in THCV or CBD.The strains listed in this article are your best bet for enjoying a few hits without a bad case of the munchies, and the possibility of cultivating new THCV strains is extremely exciting to both consumers and health professionals.However, if you can't avoid the munchies altogether, you can:

• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

• Eat enough calories from healthy food.

• Have healthier snacks if you get the munchies.

• Smoke at someone else's house where you don't have access to food.

• Keep yourself distracted with exercise or music.

So, if you get the desire for a puff of marijuana but you don’t necessarily want to make today a cheat day, remember that you do have options. You can smoke a strain that's less likely to make you hungry for sweet indulgences, or you can kill two birds with one stone by simply preparing a healthier meal plan in advance. So plan ahead, and don’t become a munchie monster.