The term munchies leads many to envision cannabis users as overweight burnouts with their hands stuck in a bag of chips.
However, long term cannabis users have an overall lower BMI than those who do not use cannabis regularly. Researchers have concluded that regular cannabis users are less stressed and anxious than those who do not regularly consume cannabis. Stress and anxiety are known to lead to overeating. Regular consumers are also more likely to get the recommended amount of sleep each night. Failure to regulate both components are leading factors to obesity in adults.
Another reason regular consumers do not pack on the pounds is, “Marijuana receptors live on your mitochondria, the power plants that give us energy. It turns out that they have THC receptors and they’re involved in regulating your energy use,” explains Wenk. “What we speculate is that marijuana is getting in there and altering your ability to burn through calories, in spite of the munchies,” according to Gary Wenk, PhD, psychology and neuroscience professor and academic research representative for Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board.
This obviously is not a free pass to eat everything within reach and keep your beach bod, but it does suggest you may have a little more wiggle room. Especially if you are opting for healthier choices when the munchies take hold.
