Best Snacks for When You Get the Munchies

Just about every cannabis consumer is all-too-familiar with the friendly monster that is the munchies. Indulging in them can be very satisfying and enjoyable if you’ve got the right snacks on hand.

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Whether you prefer something sweet, salty, or a little unorthodox, we’ve got the munchies picks you’ll need to give in to the beast.

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What Are the Munchies, Exactly?

The phenomenon we know as the “munchies” is the result of THC and other cannabinoids interacting with receptors in the brain. When cannabinoids enter the body, they can trick the brain into stimulating our appetite and making food taste and smell a whole lot better than it normally might.

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“Getting the munchies” usually means experiencing a significant increase in hunger or the desire to eat food, especially after smoking or otherwise consuming THC. 

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Snacks that are highly rewarding to our brain and deliver a powerful sensory experience – a satisfying crunch, for example – tend to be popular options. 

Why Do Munchies Happen?

Experts believe that a big part of why munchies occur is because our brains and bodies can smell and taste food differently when exposed to cannabinoids. 

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THC, in particular, is associated with this effect. It has a lot to do with the underlying processes that make cannabis so powerful in the first place: its ability to bind to the body’s endocannabinoid system.

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Cannabis plants produce THC and other cannabinoids partially as a self-defense mechanism. To confuse and disorient plant-eaters, cannabinoids fit into receptors in the brain’s natural endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for controlling things like appetite, memory, emotions, and pain sensitivity. 

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Because our brains already produce their own cannabinoids that are meant to fit in these receptors and control normal body function, cannabis plays a trick on our bodies by mimicking its own natural compounds. 

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So, munchies essentially happen because cannabinoids can sort of hijack our brains and convince them that we’re hungrier than we are. 

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Since THC is the main culprit behind munchies, it’s also possible to experience them after consuming any sort of THC compound. You can get delta munchies, for instance, if you consume delta-8 or another variant of THC.

How to Stop Munchies (If You Want To!)

Once the munchies have begun, you might not be able to completely make them go away, at least not until the effects of your cannabis product have worn off. You can help keep them at bay by snacking on something light or sipping a sweet beverage or water.

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The best way to truly put a stop to the munchies might be to avoid strains and products that tend to trigger them. To learn which cannabinoids and terpenes might contribute to your munchies most frequently, try keeping a log or cannabis journal. 

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If your munchies truly become problematic – if they lead to episodes of binge eating that cause distress, for example – it might be best to check in with your doctor. It’s always a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medication plan, cannabis-based or otherwise. 

The Best Picks for Munchies (According to Our Staff)

When the munchies hit, they hit hard. To give them what they want, you might want to make sure you’re stocked up on the goods that bring you the most satisfaction.

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We asked members of the Green Dragon team for their thoughts on munchie snacks to compile a complete list of some of the best options to choose from. There’s something here for every palate.

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Don’t be afraid to get creative, too – what the munchies brain wants, the munchies brain should get!

Crunch and Munch: Salty Munchies

Marketing Manager Travis Corley says his go-to is “usually something salty and crunchy,” and it’s not hard to see why.

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Few things hit the spot like something cheesy, crunchy, or savory. These snacks can help satiate your hunger while also scratching that itch in your brain, perhaps largely because many of them are designed to be highly rewarding.

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Check out these recommendations for something salty and delicious:

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• Chips: For many people with the munchies, chips are a must-have. Try cheesy picks like Doritos or Cheetos, crunch away on some plain ol’ potato chips, or opt for something hot and spicy like Takis. Team Member Mckenzie Donaldson recommends something a bit less traditional: “Lately, I’m always grabbing dill pickle Lays chips or chips and white queso,” she says.

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• Popcorn: There’s nothing more satisfying or nostalgic than a good old-fashioned bowl of popcorn. Assistant Store Manager Kyle Foley praises the classic snack, noting, “It’s light on the stomach, and I can sit down, throw a movie or show on and graze on a big bowl of it!”

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• Crackers: For something simple, look no further than the humble cracker. With so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find something that fits your taste. “Cheez-Its are my go-to,” says Team Member Samuel Johnson, “I don’t know why, but I just like dry crunchy food when I get the munchies.”

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• Nuts: Things like peanuts, almonds, cashews, etc., can be a great protein-packed option to curb your hunger while satisfying your cravings. Just be careful if you choose to munch on them – they can be quite caloric and sodium-heavy, depending on the product you buy.

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• Pretzels: If chips aren’t really your style, but you’re still reaching for something crunchy, try some pretzels. Thin, thick, or flavored options can help satisfy any taste buds. 

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth: Sugary Munchies

If you’re more of a sweets lover, we’ve got good news: there’s no shortage of ways to indulge in something sweet when the munchies come to play.

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We love options like these:

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• Candy: One of the best things about candy is just how many there are to choose from. Whether you like nuts, peanut butter, wafers, or something else entirely, there’s a candy out there for you. Assistant Store Manager Matthew Mitchell recommends “almond M&Ms, almond Hershey bars, [and] cherry Sour Punch straws,” all washed down with an “Arizona lemonade or mango drink.”

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• Chocolate: Okay, sure – chocolate may technically be a type of candy. But there’s something to be said about the way a plain bar or piece of chocolate can hit. “I always end up going for chocolate,” says Warehouse Manager Samantha Rebstock; sometimes, it’s best to keep things simple.

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• Cereal: Whether you prefer it dry like our Team Member Samuel Johnson or serve it up with your favorite milk, cereal can be a great pick for incorporating crunch and sweetness into the same snack.

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• Sweet Drinks: Sodas, teas, juices, and other sweet beverages can help you wash down your munchie snacks with ease.

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• Cookies: What’s better than a cookie? You can opt for softer, chewier cookies or something with some snap. Team Member and Social Media Field Report Hannah Sprengel offers a unique recommendation: “Banana slices and vanilla wafers! It tastes just like banana pudding!”

Other Ideas for Tasty Munchies

Sometimes, popular munchie snacks just don’t fit what we’re looking for. That’s okay – there are still lots of other options for satisfying and tasty bites.

Quick and Easy Munchies

Don’t have the patience or time to find something substantial? Try out these quick and simple munchie ideas:

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• Peppers, Pickles, and Jarred Goods: Store Manager Heiress Ware doesn’t always have the time to prep something before the munchies take hold: “Most of the time, I find random things like maraschino cherries, hot peppers, banana peppers, bread and butter pickles – really anything I can stick a fork in and eat quickly since I don’t have the patience to heat something up!” 

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• Toast: Remembering that toast exists can be life-changing even without cannabis as part of the equation. Customer Service Manager Hannah Foster loves a good grilled PB&J sandwich. Butter up or add some jam to your favorite toast for a quick and addicting snack.

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• Leftovers: When you’ve got the munchies, pizza, chicken, and just about anything else you might have chilling in your fridge can make for a good time. 

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Halal Munchies

If you adhere to halal diet guidelines, your options may be a little bit different when it comes to finding a munchies snack. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any that you can indulge in.

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Below are some popular halal-safe recommendations:

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• Crunchy chickpeas (bonus points if they’re coated in a flavor!)
• Noodles
• Nuts
• Halal jerky
• Peanut butter, Nutella, etc.
• Fruit snacks
• Date cookies

Vegan Munchies

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’ll probably be steering clear of options that contain ingredients like cheese or dairy. Surprisingly, though, many of the most popular snack options on the market are also vegan.

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Here are some common picks that you can take advantage of without breaking a vegan diet:

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• Oreo cookies
• Doritos
• Fritos
• Pringles
• Sour candies
• Granola bars
• Peanut butter
• Crackers
• Pretzels
• Fresh fruit

Wrapping Up

The munchies can be good fun, but they can also serve a practical purpose for those who struggle to eat enough each day. No matter why you’d like to use cannabis, it’s important to get the right products for your goals and needs. 

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You can always contact us here at The Green Dragon CBD for a consultation and to find the best products for you. Reach out to us today to learn more!