Additionally, 75% of daily cannabis consumers say they always or often get the “munchies” when they consume, compared to just 31% of people who use less than once a month. Using this data, daily consumers spend about $70 a week or more on snacks.

Researchers also recorded interesting responses when it comes to what people are eating when they are high. Sweet-savory boundaries can be blurred as people who consume cannabis often combine unsual pairs like pickles with frosting, ice cream, and peanut butter, and dip French fries into ice cream.

“People assume cannabis automatically leads to junk food binges,” Houman Shahi, dditorial director at CBD Oracle, said in the announcement. “But most users—especially regular ones—are trying to snack smarter. The ‘health-conscious stoner’ is real, and the data proves it.”

CBD Oracle is a consumer research company focused on improving the safety and transparency of cannabis and hemp products. They’ve found inconsistencie, such as the way some products are labeled.

The “Munchies” Explained

But what is really going on when the “munchies” takes hold of consumers? In scientific terms, THC promotes the release of the hormone ghrelin, and triggers a variety of other mechanisms that may also contribute to appetite as it interacts with the endocannabinoid system.

Data shows how cannabis consumers’ behavior changes when it comes to eating snacks under the effects of the plant. It not only impacts the amount of food that is consumed, but the choices of food combinations.

Creativity is a factor when the “munchies” hit hard: When respondents were asked about the weirdest thing they’d eaten amid a “munchie” session, consumers shared stories about binging foods like pickles, including eating them with chocolate syrup, peanut butter, and frosting.

The survey shows how people are adapting to modern day approaches when the “munchies” are a factor. Going beyond a punchline, the data shows how health-conscious individuals are consuming both cannabis and snacks.