5 Cannabis Strains That WILL Give You The Munchies

As all stoners know, one of the major side effects of smoking marijuana is succumbing to the ravenous nature of the munchies. It is a phenomenon that people tend to have mixed feelings about. Some people hate the amount it makes them eat, while others savour it, and enjoy the feast it brings on. There are even those, for whatever reason, who use it to stimulate an otherwise absent appetite. The thing is, some strains of cannabis are better at it than others; so here is how it all works, and five strains that WILL stimulate your appetite and induce the munchies.

APPETITE STIMULATION: A BRIEF LOOK AT HOW CANNABIS CAUSES THE MUNCHIES

There are all kinds of anecdotal and scientific reports suggesting that consuming cannabis stimulates the appetite, but why is this? Well, it all comes down to THC and the way it interacts with the brain.

When THC binds to receptors in the brain, one of the many effects it has is to increase the release of two hunger-related hormones, known as leptin and ghrelin. These in turn stimulates appetite, sending signals throughout the body that it needs more food, even if it doesn’t.

This is a very basic overview, and there are likely to be other factors also involved. However, it should give you an idea of what is going on, and how those struggling eat or maintain a healthy weight may benefit.

5 STRAINS TO STIMULATE APPETITE

As touched upon, some strains seem to be better than other at stimulating the appetite; it is not a case of simply being able to use any old strain for its THC content and expect guaranteed munchies. Instead of debating which strains may or may not cause appetite stimulation, and how much of it is required to get there, here are five strains, which without a doubt, will cause a hunger in your belly:

1. CRITICAL KUSH

Critical Kush, as the name suggests, is the coming together of Critical Mass and Hindu Kush, with a bit of Skunk #1 thrown in for good measure. The result is a potent indica dominant strain that never fails to induce the munchies. To top it all off, Critical Kush produces very generous yields of some very aromatic and pungent bud. The THC content is roughly 18%, and has a moderate CBD content to go with it.

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2. JACK HERER

Named after the famous cannabis activist and philosopher, Jack Herer is an award-winning strain with a lot of pedigree. She is made from a Haze mixed with a Red Skunk, and has many of the qualities of both. In addition to its potent (20% THC) and uplifting high, Jack Herer is well known among marijuana users for its appetite stimulating abilities – it won’t fail.

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3. LAVENDER

This strain of cannabis seeds turns a mystifying shade of purple as it grows and produces some extremely relaxing and flavorful bud (hence the name). With quite a complex background, Lavender is the coming together of Afghani, US, European, Korean, and Hawaiian strains. The result is a laid-back beauty that soothes and relaxes the body. And of course, it is well suited to induce the munchies.

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4. AFGHAN KUSH

Afghan Kush is a pure indica strain straight from the hillsides of the Hindu Kush Mountains. It doesn’t get more grassroots than this. A hardy, fast-growing, and high yielding plant, Afghan Kush also produces some very strong bud, with a THC content of roughly 21%. This unbridled strength allows it to easily stimulate appetite – but it can also overwhelm the unprepared, so be ready for a couchlock!

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5. MAZAR

Mazar is an award-winning classic that has been around since the 90’s. It was bred from a landrace Afghani strain, mixed with a classic Dutch Skunk. The result is a strain that often borders on 20% THC, and has an unforgettable old-school flavour and high. Among Mazar’s credential is appetite stimulation, which, like with all the above, is pretty much guaranteed.

There are many strains out there that can cause your stomach to rumble, but these five strains are a great starting point to explore from – they WILL cause the munchies. So give them a go and let us know how you get on; or better yet, let us know your favourite strains for awakening the beast in your belly, below. Happy munching!

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Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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