Independent experts that DW contacted, such as Donald Abrams, an oncologist at University of California San Francisco, suggested the findings were a useful addition to existing research into the medicinal application of cannabis.

First, they observed the feeding behavior of the rats and mice and found that they looked for food more often after they had been exposed to that cannabis vapor.

But when those specific neurons are activated, it creates a cascade of neural signals linked to motivation and movement.

But the new research found that as soon as the mice in their study saw food, the hypothalamus activated significantly more cells with the CB1 receptor.

Michelle Sexton, a researcher at the University California San Diego, US, said that may have been because the drugs were taken orally, which may not be as effective as smoking cannabis.

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[+] NoneYa@lemm.ee 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (4 children)

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[–] Instigate@aussie.zone 8 points 7 months ago

Evolution isn’t always necessarily immediately logical. Perhaps the cannabis plants with higher levels of cannabinoids developed idiosyncratically alongside their hemp cousins, and when humans discovered its psychedelic properties they began cultivating it for specifically that purpose. We know that wild-growing cannabis tends to have lower concentrations of cannabinoids than their cultivated counterparts - perhaps the concentration of cannabinoids is mostly due to us.

Cannabis flowers tend to hold the seeds for dispersal as well, and as long as they can survive an animal’s gut, any measure that makes the flower more desirable to eat increases propagation. Perhaps as cannabis developed higher levels of cannabinoids, humans and other animals noticed that they felt good when they ate and wanted to eat more flower, causing them to ingest more seeds and spread the plant farther.

It’s all speculation really, but there are some logical reasons why a plant with higher levels of cannabinoids would be either naturally or artificially selected for. It could also just be a random throw of the dice.

[–] Deebster@beehaw.org 4 points 7 months ago

I assume it's just a coincidental interaction. I mean, it's not like yeast wants us to get drunk [citation needed].

[–] SheeEttin@programming.dev 2 points 7 months ago

Evolution doesn't select for positive traits, just not-negative. If a trait doesn't strongly reduce the chance of reproducing, it can get passed down.

For example, humans have plenty of neutral traits (hair color, eye color), and even plenty of negative ones (Alzheimer's, arthritis, baldness, cancer, sickle-cell disease). But they're not so fatal that they don't get passed down.

Similarly, if neutral traits like cannabis including whatever chemical causes the munchies doesn't reduce that plant's ability to reproduce, it'll get passed down.

[–] throws_lemy@lemmy.nz 1 points 7 months ago

why would the cannabis plant want you to eat more?

I've never tried it, In some regions cannabis is being used as seasoning, and makes you eat more.

[–] BruceTwarzen@kbin.social 1 points 7 months ago

For the people who think the munchies are a myth, i live a pretty healthy lifestyle, i'm lean and i don't even really like sweets. Over the Christmas break i went on a weed smoking bender and absolutely murdered a bunch of weed. I ate so much shit that i got sick, then i ate some more, i could not stop eating. I knew i was gonna be sick, but just shoveled it in.

[–] Shdwdrgn@mander.xyz 0 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I've always heard that you actually get dehydrated, but the cannabis confuses the body's reaction and makes you think you're hungry. Anyone else heard something like this?

[–] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Heard, yes. But it's never said by anyone that isn't high as giraffe pussy ;)

Besides, there's been a few studies back before legalization and research ramped things up. Dehydration isn't a factor, nor has it ever been. Dry mouth != dehydration for one thing, but the mechanism is different between the two.

[–] Shdwdrgn@mander.xyz 3 points 7 months ago

Heh I've never had dry mouth from it but I definitely get munchy. Ah well, it was an interesting theory, and probably a lot healthier anyway, but it is what it is.

[–] cobra89@beehaw.org 1 points 7 months ago

Sounds like some made up stuff to get you to fill up on water instead of food when you have the munchies.