How Does Cannabis Affect Hunger, and What Role Does It Play for Cancer Patients?

It’s long been known that consuming cannabis can give you a case of “the munchies.” This phenomenon has led people to use the herb to settle their stomachs and stimulate their appetites for ages, but only after the discovery of the endocannabinoid system could we really understand the science behind it. Now, thanks to some curious researchers, the question of why and how cannabis affects hunger is no longer entirely a mystery.

How Cannabis Affects Hunger: The Science Behind “The Munchies”

If you’re a regular reader here at MyCannabis, then you likely saw our recent post about the endocannabinoid system and how it works to regulate almost every part of our bodies.

If you’re not familiar and don’t have time for the whole article now, here’s a recap:

• The endocannabinoid system is a complex system that helps regulate various aspects of our bodies, including mood, memory, sleep, and, of course, appetite.
• Throughout the body, there are CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are activated when cannabinoids bind to them, sending signals throughout the body that both maintain our normal everyday functions and create the effects we associate with cannabis use.
• Our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids, which are like the phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. These activate CB1 and CB2 receptors to promote homeostasis (regulate general functioning).
• More research is needed to fully understand this complex system, it’s suspected that endocannabinoid deficiency could be a factor in numerous conditions that find significant improvement or relief from medical use of cannabis.

CB1 Receptors Regulate Appetite and Energy Levels

So, with this basic understanding of the endocannabinoid system, it shouldn’t be too surprising that CB1 receptors have been found to help our bodies regulate both appetite and energy levels.

Knowing this, researchers set out to determine exactly how this translates into the increased hunger associated with cannabis consumption.  The most commonly cited study on the subject was published on Nature.com in 2015 and was conducted by the now neuroscientist Tamas Horvath of Yale University in New Haven and a handful of colleagues.

THC Causes the Brain to Release “Hunger Hormones”

In their study using mice Horvath and the other researchers discovered that the neuron was thought to promote satiation (the feeling of being full) and also promotes appetite. As it turns out, which hormone is secreted is regulated by a protein in the cell’s mitochondria.

When CB1 receptors are activated that protein switches from secreting the hormone suppressing appetite to the one that promotes it. They hypothesize that stimulating CB1 receptors with exocannabinoids like THC may have a different effect than the naturally occurring endocannabinoids our bodies produce on their own.

Another study conducted on mice was published in the journal Scientific Reports, which used a brain scan like an MRI to determine how brain cells responded. The intention was to find therapeutic options for people facing conditions like cancer and HIV/AIDS and others like anorexia, diabetes, and obesity in general.

Their research was conducted on mice at Washington State University (WSU), and what they found was that mice exposed to cannabis vapor saw an activated set of cells in the hypothalamus when they anticipated or consumed food that was not activated in unexposed mice.

Other points of interest found in the studies include:

• THC increases the reward mechanism in the brain, making food taste better and eating more enjoyable.
• Introducing cannabis led to a switch from fewer larger meals to multiple smaller meals throughout the day.
• Stimulating appetite with cannabis did not lead to a decrease in activity; the mice exposed to cannabis vapor spent the same amount of time running on their exercise wheels as those who weren’t.

“When the mice are given cannabis, neurons come on that typically are not active,” said Jon Davis, an assistant professor of neuroscience at WSU and one of the paper’s authors. “There is something important happening in the hypothalamus after vapor cannabis.”

Cancer Patients Find Themselves Able to Eat Thanks to Cannabis

Since medical marijuana started becoming better understood and more commonly used in the 1990s, cancer has been one of the primary conditions that researchers have focused their attention on. Not only is there potential for new treatments outside of chemotherapy, but cannabis has proven extremely beneficial for patients who are already undergoing rigorous treatments.

Reduced Nausea and Vomiting

Studies have found cannabis, specifically the cannabinoid THC, to be extremely beneficial in lessening nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy treatments. In fact, while THC may be federally illegal in the U.S., the FDA has approved a synthetic version of the cannabinoid called Marinol.

Stimulating Appetite Prevents Wasting Syndrome

On top of lessening the nausea and vomiting associated with chemo treatments, THC was also found to stimulate appetite and make eating more rewarding and pleasurable to the brain. Thousands of medical marijuana patients in the U.S. alone rely on cannabis primarily for this reason.

Management of Pain and Discomfort

While the stomach-settling and hunger-inducing effects are necessary for many who find themselves undergoing cancer treatments, another potential benefit of medical marijuana is reduced pain and discomfort. Chronic pain is the most common self-reported reason for medical cannabis use, making it a perfect option for cancer patients to manage two ends of their symptoms and treatment side effects at once.

Things to Keep in Mind When Using Cannabis to Stimulate Appetite

Of course, cancer patients aren’t the only ones who benefit from the appetite-stimulating effects of cannabis. Medical marijuana is also used to stimulate the appetite of people with conditions like HIV/AIDs and anorexia. It can also help those whose medications to manage other conditions may suppress appetite.

However, medical marijuana isn’t as straightforward as you might think, so here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re considering it as an option.

Everyone Reacts to THC Differently

Not everyone will react to THC the same way. Some people are highly sensitive to the psychoactive components and may experience increased anxiety or paranoia. If this is the case but you still want the appetite-inducing effects of THC, consider a strain with less THC that also contains a high amount of CBG, which researchers believe may also stimulate appetite.

Psychoactive Effects Aren’t for Everyone

Similarly, some people may not have a negative experience like paranoia or anxiety but still just don’t care for the “stoned” feeling that THC produces. Along with looking for strains that are high in CBG as an alternative to THC, those looking for appetite stimulation should avoid strains high in CBD or THCV, which are both believed to suppress appetite.

Doctor Guidance and Local Laws

When considering medical cannabis as an option, it’s always important to check your local laws and have guidance from a healthcare professional who is not only experienced in medical cannabis but also using it for the conditions or symptoms you’re trying to treat. Even if recreational cannabis is legal where you live, having a doctor’s guidance is always recommended when using cannabis for medical purposes.

Should Cancer Patients Use Cannabis to Stimulate Appetite?

So, should cancer patients use medical marijuana to stimulate their appetite rather than FDA-approved prescriptions like Marinol?

Personally, I’d say yes – as long as it’s a legal option where you are. The potential side effects of cannabis use are very few, and with the guidance of a healthcare professional, medical marijuana is a great option for those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

After all, you can’t argue with the science – or the fact that thousands of patients find relief from medical cannabis every day.