By Miguel Ordoñez


Once those cannabinoids surpass the blood–brain barrier, the munchies attack. A common reactionary exercise would be to stuff one's face with nachos, pizza, and ice cream.

Many individuals with appetite problems can benefit from the munchies. Among them are patients undergoing chemotherapy and individuals with eating disorders. However, the munchies can also result in significant and undesired weight gain if left unchecked.

There’ll come a point when you think, “Enough is enough” and make the decision to cut down. And if you want to continue your psychotropic endeavours, here are some tips to get those munchies off your mind.

Why Does Cannabis Give You the Munchies?

THC is the primary culprit behind a munchie attack. And as science explains[1], it all lies in the CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system. Among other functions, these receptors promote food intake.

THC activates CB1 receptors upon entering the body, which ultimately causes a heightened hunger reaction. Even odour processing is much stronger at the point of THC intoxication.

How To Stop the Munchies Before Smoking

Prevention, they say, is always better than a cure. And if you’re adamant about laying off the munchies, this age-old adage applies here.

  • Make Munchies Inconvenient

Convenience is usually the shortest route to temptation. And before you know it, you’re chowing down on a large bag of potato chips like there’s no tomorrow.

In this case, make the munchies more inaccessible. One way to do this is to keep any form of junk food away from your home. Give yourself a stern reminder during your next grocery shop visit.

Now, if you have kids at home, you don’t want to deprive them of these indulgences. But do yourself a favour and put the pantry under lock and key. And make sure that that door only opens when everyone else is around to enjoy the goodies inside.

Make Munchies Inconvenient
  • Try Different Strains

As all cannabis connoisseurs know, not all strains are created equal. One variant will elicit a different reaction compared to another.

Certain strains can leave you incapacitated and incapable of doing anything at all. But others will spike up your cravings for a mac and cheese quesadilla.

This is actually a fun part of your efforts to stave off the munchies: experimenting with different strains. Take note of the ones that bring about the cravings, and ones that don’t, and then go from there. Also, be sure to pick out a variety of anti-munchie strains to give you different flavours and experiences each time you toke up.

  • Eat Healthy Beforehand

The issue with munchies isn’t the act of eating itself, but more of the junk you consume. And with those uncontrollable THC-driven urges, you’re bound to gain five sinful pounds in one night.

That said, another helpful recourse would be to snack on something healthy beforehand. Pick foods that will fill you up for the next few hours, such as those with a high water content.

For snacks, some good examples are avocado and toast, banana and peanut butter, and yogurt and granola. For actual meals, you can go with spaghetti squash, a quinoa bowl, or lean chicken with vegetables on the side.

How To Stop the Munchies During Smoking

The munchies may be an offshoot of smoking, but it’s not a prerequisite. There are ways to kill off those cravings during your smoking session.

  • Keep Yourself Busy

Here’s another useful saying that applies: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. You smoke, you sit back, and you see an ad for chicken wings on TV. Moments later, you find yourself ordering a ten-piece meal, all for yourself. To make it more decadent, you add a six-pack of beer and a pint of rocky road ice cream.

Avoid that night of debauchery by keeping yourself productive. Watch a documentary. Learn a new skill. Write in your journal. Do some cardio. Meditate. Listen to some music. Do anything that isn’t remotely related to junk food. You’ll thank yourself later.

How To Stop the Munchies During Smoking
  • Brush Your Teeth

Certain foods leave a lasting taste in our mouths. A bowl of garlicky mushroom bolognese will do that to you. So will a slice of some moist, creamy dark chocolate cake. Smoking with these flavours lingering on your taste buds will definitely have you craving for more in a snap.

But you know what can kill these flavours in an instant? Some refreshing, mint-flavoured toothpaste. Take a glug of water to rinse your palate and brush your teeth before sparking up a joint. No one ever had food cravings with a strong peppermint taste in their mouth. This should tide you over for the next few hours.

How To Stop the Munchies During Smoking
  • Stay Hydrated

Our minds can play good tricks on us sometimes, especially when we’re on a psychotropic trip. Dehydration and thirst can fool us into thinking that we need food. We then take action by reaching for the most chocolate-chip-filled cookie in the jar. Hours go by, and that jar that was filled to the brim is now empty.

Save yourself from that predicament by staying hydrated. If you feel like chowing down on something, grab a glass of water instead. That should keep you filled up for a good while. Drinking water is also a good way to combat the vexing cotton mouth.

How To Stop the Munchies During Smoking

How To Stop the Munchies After Smoking

So, you’ve spent your Friday night smoking a few bowls and vegging in front of the TV. You’re now feeling your mouth water. Those cravings are getting stronger and stronger.

Don’t worry, you’re still good. Now's not the time to give in, because you can still stop a full-blown munchie attack from manifesting.

  • Get Some Exercise

We mentioned this briefly in an earlier section, but it bears repeating. Exercise could be one of the most productive activities you can do while high. And some strains will help to facilitate this.

In fact, some athletes prefer to do their workouts under the influence of their favourite bud. And based on anecdotal evidence, at least, that THC hit can make workouts feel more enjoyable.

Do your research and pick out strains that go well with working out. Just be sure you’re not doing anything too extreme while impaired. Hitting a punching bag? Yes. Doing some rock climbing? Probably not a good idea.

How To Stop the Munchies After Smoking
  • Try CBD Oil

Do you know what else can prevent the munchies after smoking? Good old CBD oil. If you’re about to be hit by those cravings, you can always count on THC’s non-impairing cousin to curb it.

Studies have highlighted CBD’s potential to modulate THC’s psychotropic effects[2]. That, of course, includes the munchies.

So the next time you feel like hitting a fast-food drive-through after a night of smoking, reach for a bottle of CBD oil instead. You’ll feel much better about yourself in the morning.

How To Stop the Munchies After Smoking
  • Head to Bed

Here’s the situation: you’re just about to wind down from your THC-fuelled flight to the ether. You’re plopped on your couch, in the living room. The kitchen is a few steps away to your right. You see a box of glazed donuts sitting on the counter. Do you give in?

Of course you don’t! But the best recourse is to separate yourself from the room. Get up and head straight to the bedroom. Don’t even look at that little box of refined sugars and regrets. Pretend it’s not there or that you didn’t see it.

Once you get to your room, pat yourself on the back for a job well done. It takes a lot of willpower to say no to your munchie cravings, but you did it.

How To Stop the Munchies After Smoking

Does CBD Give You the Munchies?

No. CBD has a different molecular structure than THC, and therefore works in the body in a different way. When we smoke cannabis high in THC, the molecule sparks the munchies by latching onto CB1 receptors in the brain. In contrast, CBD has a low affinity for this site and lacks the ability to activate it to the same degree. However, just because CBD doesn’t bind to CB1 doesn’t mean it fails to influence the endocannabinoid system. On the contrary; the cannabinoid binds to several sites within this large network, and ongoing studies are looking to see if CBD could influence appetite by other, potentially more subtle means. Although these mechanisms won’t cause the ravenous hunger that defines the munchies, they could come in handy in certain scenarios.

How CBD Affects Appetite

CBD affects people in different ways. Some find that CBD blunts their appetite for several hours after taking the cannabinoid, whereas others experience the desire to eat. Researchers are currently testing CBD to determine its potential in promoting appetite, a quality that would make the cannabinoid a useful agent in people with certain health conditions, especially those looking to avoid THC's psychotropic influence. Such studies are assessing if CBD can induce the desire to eat by counteracting symptoms that reduce appetite, such as nausea, anxiety, and stress.

So far, scientists suggest that CBD might influence appetite, at least in part, by elevating levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide. Much like THC, anandamide binds to the CB1 receptor, albeit with less potency. Under normal conditions, the body creates anandamide on demand. Shortly after it fulfils its function, fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) whisk the molecule off to the catabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) for deconstruction. Early research suggests that CBD blocks FABPs[3] from grabbing onto anandamide, temporarily blocking its breakdown and elevating levels in the body.

How To Stop the Munchies After Smoking

What Causes the Munchies: CBD or THC?

Far from your average food cravings, the munchies unleash a ravenous desire for calories that usually results in a sharp decline in the contents of the fridge. While CBD might influence appetite to a degree, potentially by altering endocannabinoid tone, THC holds the title of the munchie harbinger. The psychotropic cannabinoid pulls this off by directly binding to the CB1 receptor and influencing chemical pathways that underpin the human desire to seek out food and feast. Ultimately, THC causes the munchies, and CBD doesn't.

What To Do if You Can’t Beat the Munchies

No matter how strong-willed you are, the cravings will sometimes get to you. Even Superman has his kryptonite. But as we mentioned earlier, the potential problem is in what you eat, and not the act of eating.

There are many healthier options out there for you to go for. If you feel like filling yourself with french fries and onion rings, try these instead. You will feel zero guilt about your actions, and that’s always a good thing.

External Resources:
  1. The endocannabinoid system controls food intake via olfactory processes - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Cannabidiol Inhibits Endocannabinoid Signaling in Autaptic Hippocampal Neurons - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Fatty Acid-binding Proteins (FABPs) Are Intracellular Carriers for Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: