# the munchies

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-munchies/174534>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 11, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-munchies/174534 "2003-05-11T19:25:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pezwookiee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@pezwookiee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezwookiee)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-munchies/174534/1 "2003-05-11T19:25:48Z")

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a) Why does one get “the munchies” after one smokes marijuana?  
b) Why does Del Taco taste like the best food ever when one has said munchies?

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**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-munchies/174534/2 "2003-05-11T19:34:15Z")

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In answer to (a):  
According to this [New Scientist article](http://www.newscientist.com/hottopics/marijuana/munchies.jsp), cannabinoid chemicals in the brain are a trigger for appetite. These occur naturally, but when added to in the form of marijuana, you get the munchies.

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**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-munchies/174534/3 "2003-05-11T19:35:40Z")

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Question one may be better answered at [www.hightimes.com](http://www.hightimes.com)

As for question two, you’d have to be drunk or stoned to think Del Taco is edible. 😃

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**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-munchies/174534/4 "2003-05-11T19:38:07Z")

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[Marijuana has an effect on taste, as well as other senses](http://www.nida.nih.gov/MOM/TG/momtg-marijuana.html) in the brain.

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**Author:** ![gypsymoth3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@gypsymoth3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gypsymoth3)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-munchies/174534/5 "2003-05-11T20:45:33Z")

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why do some people NOT want to eat when they smoke weed? is it just fear of overdoing it?