It’s a long-standing stereotype that “stoners” love their snacks. No reason to be offended – stereotypes are always grounded in some truth. Cannabis does have the tendency to increase a person’s appetite, which is why it has come so in handy for patients with eating disorders like anorexia or those undergoing chemotherapy treatment that can zap your desire to eat anything, and eating is key to a successful treatment regime. Marijuana munchies are brought on by the herbs influence over the endocannabinoid system, which regulates homeostasis (sleep, memory, mood, and hunger).

There’s more to the connection between marijuana and food than “the munchies”, though, which a lot of first-time users and even long-term proponents might not be aware of. Certain foods can actually impact the effect that cannabis has on your body. Interesting, right?

To enhance your high, try foods that have a high terpene count. This includes mangoes, nuts, herbs and spices like thyme, sage, and bay, as well as broccoli, and sweet potato.

Foods That Could Alter Your High

Though the terpenes in these different foods won’t give you the same experience as you’ll get from toking on a joint or eating an cannabis edible, they have been shown to help facilitate the passage of cannabinoids through the blood-brain barrier, which in-turn can lead to a faster on-set and extended high.

On the other hand, there are a few different foods that won’t help your high last longer or be “better” if you consume them once you’ve had a hit. This, of course, can be useful information for both proponents of that powerfully psychoactive THC buzz or anyone who is worried that they’re going to get “too” high or “green out”, which happens when you’ve consumed too much cannabis and start to feel ill.

Beer

Any frat kid can tell you that cannabis and beer aren’t the best combination, as ingesting cannabis at the same time as beer can increase your level of impairment. In fact, a recent study in the Journal of Clinical Chemistry found that participants who had taken cannabis and alcohol together showed a “significantly higher blood THC”.

tea and cannabis calming effect

Sip tea to enhance the calming effects of cannabis.

Tea

Tea – at least the herbal variety – is almost synonymous with relaxation, and can actually be beneficial for people looking to regain some composure after inhaling a little too much ganga. Black or green, tea contains an antioxidant called catechin which will bind to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain to promote feelings of peace and relaxation, in essence, providing a counterbalance to the chaos that may have been induced by cannabis.

Herbs and spices containing Limonene

Going back to the point on terpenes, limonene (which commonly occurs in cannabis strains like Tangerine Dream) can counteract negative side effects of weed by decreasing anxiety, depression, and stress. Easily kick an uncomfortable high with herbs like:

  • lemon thyme
  • lemongrass
  • lemon basil

Citric Acid

a slice of lemon in bubbly water

Citrus fruits like lemon can counteract a too-intense high.

Evidence that dates back to the 10th century suggests that acidic fruits like oranges and lemons can help combat an intense trip. This affect may again be attributed to the terpene content of the fruit, which can also be enhanced by adding the peel to some freshly squeezed juice.

Black pepper

A tried and true antidote for a high that is uncomfortable, black pepper has been employed for thousands of years by smokers. Black pepper and cannabis are chemically similar, and the terpene caryophyllene found in pepper can target the same receptors that are activated by THC to produce a calming effect.

If you’re looking to maintain your buzz, you may want to consider steering clear some of the foods mentioned above, but they may prove your best friend in an uncomfortable situation. Either way, it couldn’t hurt to keep snacks with high terpene counts in your pantry should the occasion arise.

Of course, the best way to guarantee a clean and potent high is fill your garden with top quality cannabis seed strains like Sour Kush and Great White Shark – you’ll always get a good high with good herb!