The “marijuana munchies” phenomenon explained!
One peculiar phenomenon associated with marijuana use is the increased hunger that users feel, often called the "munchies." 
American researchers at Columbia University have uncovered clues that may explain this, paving the way for the development of drugs that could help increase — or curb — wayward appetites.
The team of researchers didn’t focus on the drug itself, but rather on the body’s own version of marijuana’s principal ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
What was known:
Naturally produced cannabinoid molecules, called endocannabinoids, are drawn to the hypothalamus — a region of the brain that regulates hunger and other basic functions such as memory, perception and movement. Once endocannabinoids dock with their brain receptors — known as CB1s — hunger ensues.
What has the research uncovered?
The new study conducted in mice reveals that specific CB1 neurons linked with hunger arousal are "excited" when cannabis molecules, such as THC or endocannabinoids, dock with CB1 receptors. This neural stimulation, in turn, ignites the need to feed.
This endocannabinoid-induced hunger effect is cut down by leptin — a naturally produced hormone previously associated with the long-term regulation of body weight. In sufficient amounts leptin short-circuits the cannabis docking process — maintaining a check on hunger by inhibiting the flow of calcium into the neurons, the researchers found.
Leptin deficiency, on the other hand, seems to allow prolonged CB1 neuronal stimulation - time presumably spent attacking the fridge.
The Columbia team however noted that their work to date has been limited to mice that were genetically altered to be leptin-deficient.
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