Cannabis helps scores of people achieve their desired effects, whether that’s mental and physical pain relief or relaxation and euphoria. For some consumers, however, certain strains may fail to deliver the desired effects. Or maybe heavy cannabis use has led to increased tolerance, and products that used to work perfectly no longer deliver the required potency.
When this happens, the question is: what can you do to boost the effects of cannabis? In order to help you out, here are eight food items that can enhance your high.
What Foods Can You Eat to Enhance Your High?
Whether you’re using cannabis for pain relief, stress reduction, or a gentle buzz to calm the mind and body, eating certain foods can enhance the effects of cannabis and make the high more intense and longer lasting. (Of course, this gives a whole new meaning to the munchies!)
Certain foods can increase the bioavailability of THC, the compound in cannabis that produces its characteristic psychoactive effects. For example, fatty foods or foods rich in omega-3s can help enhance the absorption of THC, as THC is a fat-soluble compound. Not only that, foods that contain certain terpenes, such as limonene and myrcene, can also enhance the effects of THC. Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis and other plants that can interact with cannabinoids to produce a synergistic effect most refer to as the entourage effect.
It’s important to note that this article is not about foods that can get you high by themselves. Instead, we’ll discuss foods that can help to amplify the benefits of cannabis.
So, let’s jump right in.
1. Mango
Mangoes are a sweet, juicy fruit with a delicate, tropical flavor. They are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Because of this, they are a popular ingredient in smoothies, salsas, and other dishes.
Mangoes are rich in terpenes, particularly myrcene. Myrcene is found in various plants, including mangoes, hops, thyme, and basil, as well as in some strains of cannabis. Many believe that myrcene produces sedative effects and can bolster marijuana's relaxing effects. And there is some research to support this idea.
It's been suggested that myrcene enhances the effects of THC because of positive interactions on the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system.¹ However, much more research is necessary before we can say with certainty how myrcene from mangoes and other foods interacts with THC from cannabis in the body.
Eating mangoes on their own will not get you high, even with the presence of myrcene. At best, it can enhance your high after using cannabis.
2. Chocolate
Chocolate is a popular treat available in bars, chips, cocoa powder, and more. It is made from the beans of the cocoa tree and is often sweetened with sugar, milk, and other ingredients. And while many dispensaries carry infused chocolate, let’s focus on chocolate in its traditional, cannabis-free form.
Anandamide is a chemical compound found in the human body (and chocolate) that is often referred to as the “bliss molecule” because it produces similar effects to THC,² including feelings of euphoria. Anandamide is also involved in regulating pain, appetite, and mood.
Both anandamide and THC have very similar chemical structures and interact with the same receptors in the endocannabinoid system, namely the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. This might explain why many consumers report that combining cannabis and chocolate enhances the mood-boosting and euphoric effects of both. Essentially, compounds like caffeine and theobromine³ that are found in chocolate may potentiate the effects (and potential benefits) of THC.
That said, it should come as no surprise that chocolate is a popular choice for marijuana edibles. Here is a list of 20 of our favorite cannabis chocolate brands.
Chocolate alone will not produce a marijuana high, but pairing it with cannabis could elevate your experience.
3. Broccoli
Broccoli is a popular vegetable known for being a substantial source of vitamins C and K. Vitamin C is essential for maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, and bones. Vitamin K is necessary for proper blood clotting and maintaining strong bones.
Besides its high levels of vitamins, broccoli also contains high levels of the terpene beta-caryophyllene, which binds to CB2 receptors in the body, like many cannabinoids. This terpene has been shown to work synergistically with cannabinoids to reduce pain, inflammation, and depression.⁴ However, it is important to note that consuming broccoli alone will not create the same psychoactive effects as consuming weed.
There is currently no scientific evidence to support the idea that consuming broccoli can enhance the effects of cannabis. However, some believe that combining the two may produce a more powerful effect because of the way beta-caryophyllene works with other cannabinoids in the body.
4. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a type of root vegetable often confused with regular potatoes. However, they are actually quite different, as they have a sweeter taste, a softer texture, and a richer nutritional profile.
Sweet potatoes contain complex carbohydrates; key nutrients that have been linked to increased production of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter.⁵ People often refer to serotonin as the “happy hormone” because it helps to promote feelings of happiness and well-being.
Besides complex carbohydrates, sweet potatoes also contain high levels of mood-boosting vitamins B6 and E. Both vitamins are essential for maintaining good mental health and can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
And as an added benefit for health-conscious consumers, Insider reports that “Eating a sweet potato is healthier than a regular potato,” as sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index.
5. Nuts and Eggs
Nuts and eggs are two foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of healthy fat important for maintaining overall health. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in tons of foods, including fish, nuts, and eggs, and are believed to have several health benefits.
Previous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help to ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as improve brain function and help prevent heart disease.⁶ When paired with cannabis, it is believed that omega-3 fatty acids may help to enhance its effects and produce a longer-lasting high.
There is some evidence to suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may help to enhance the therapeutic effects of marijuana, particularly in reducing inflammation and improving mental health.⁷
6. Green And Black Tea
Tea has a remarkably long history of use and purported health benefits. Both green and black tea have high levels of catechin believed to help reduce various mental pains.
The relaxing effects of green and black tea can help to enhance comparable effects produced by marijuana, while potentially helping to negate adverse effects such as anxiety. Some cannabis users find that the combination of tea and cannabis can provide a more balanced and enjoyable experience, for this reason.
However, it is important to note that everyone’s body is different and may react differently to the combination of tea and cannabis.
Learn how to make your own cannabis tea.
7. Coffee
Coffee is one of the most common drinks in the world. It is made from the beans of plants belonging to the genus Coffea and is revered for the energizing and invigorating effects of its high levels of caffeine. And, in good news for consumers, it may help enhance the effects of cannabis.
Although there is no direct research on the interaction between coffee and marijuana, it is believed that coffee’s effects on the cannabinoid receptors may influence how users experience cannabis. Coffee has been shown to interact with the endocannabinoid system.⁸ Specifically, coffee increases dopamine levels, a chemical in the brain involved in feelings of pleasure and reward. The elevated levels of dopamine may indirectly reinforce the good feelings of cannabis, even if the coffee itself is not directly influencing how THC or CBD interacts with the body.
8. Beer
Beer is another wildly popular beverage that is often used by consumers to relax, unwind, and enjoy themselves. One of the key ingredients in beer is hops, the female flowers of the hop plant. Hops are rich in myrcene and humulene, two terpenes known for their mood-boosting properties.
Myrcene is found in a variety of plants, including hops and cannabis, and is believed to have sedative and anti-inflammatory properties.
Humulene, on the other hand, is known for its earthy, woody aroma and is thought to have several health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
There is some evidence to suggest that myrcene may help enhance the effects of many other terpenes found in cannabis, although more research is needed to fully understand this relationship. Additionally, a 2008 study highlighted the critical role that humulene plays in pharmacokinetics, which is the movement of drugs within the body.⁹
Overall, the combination of beer and cannabis may provide a more relaxing and enjoyable experience, although more research is needed to fully understand the interaction between these two substances.
It is also important to note that consumers should exercise increased caution if consuming cannabis and alcohol simultaneously, as the increased effects can be too potent for some consumers.
Other Ways to Enhance the Effects of Cannabis
The list of drinks and foods that reportedly enhance your high is long. So too is the list of activities and daily routine changes that can boost the effects of THC. Some of the more popular methods discussed over the years include:
Take Advantage of the "Runner's High"
The same neurotransmitter and endocannabinoid found in chocolate (anandamide) is also responsible for delivering a runner’s high. A 2013 study concluded that THC plasma levels were higher in cannabis consumers after exercising, with a theory that dormant THC stored in the body’s fat is released when exercising.¹⁰
Try a New Product
Like some medications, your body may get used to the effects of strains or products you frequently use. If that’s the case, consider trying a new product or cultivar from your favorite line that is known to deliver the effects you seek.
Switch to Edibles
Those seeking more prolonged effects may want to try edibles. THC from edibles is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC by the body; this cannabinoid is reported to last longer than inhaled THC, providing more substantial results for discerning consumers.
Not happy with the selection of edibles at your local dispensary or subscription box service? Check out our beginner's guide to cooking with cannabis at home. And elevate your infused cooking game with our primer on how to craft healthy, evenly dosed homemade edibles.
Use a bong (or gravity bong) or do a dab
Smoking enthusiasts can also increase their THC dosage by using a larger smoking device. Bongs, gravity bongs, and dabs provide substantially larger doses than most small to midsize pipes and bowls. Bongs, especially those chilled with ice, allow for longer, more substantial THC hits. However, doing a dab is the current ruler of the pack, offering immense dosages and near-instant effects.
Switch to concentrates
Concentrates provide more pronounced effects and higher potencies than their source material (cannabis flower). Quick results can also be obtained by smoking or vaping, or more slowly through edibles.
Change your routine
This may not be possible for those with certain medical conditions. But if you can safely do so, modifying your routine may help enhance or alter the consumption experience. Many of the above recommendations would constitute a change to your routine.
Take a tolerance break
As with larger routine changes, this recommendation may not be possible for some medical cannabis patients. But if you can do so safely, taking a cannabis break for a few weeks can help “reset” the body’s tolerance, allowing stronger effects to be felt through smaller quantities. If avoiding cannabis for a few weeks isn’t an option (or you just don’t want to), consider holding off on consuming until later in the day. Many consumers believe that this provides more substantial effects.
Are There Any Foods That Can Reduce the Effects of THC?
What can you do if your attempts to enhance the effects of THC leave you feeling “too high”?
Most anecdotes and research suggests that boosting your blood sugar may help reduce the effects of THC. You can also try eating a snack (but be sure to avoid the options listed above). And some consumers have found success chewing ground peppercorns.
Learn more about how to sober up from cannabis if you feel the effects of your last dose too strongly.
Cooking With Cannabis
In addition to the foods discussed above, which are believed to enhance the effects of cannabis, you can always make your own cannabis-infused edibles.
By infusing cannabis into your favorite recipe, you can select your favorite strain, customize the strength of your dose, and get the effects you want without the added sugar or other ingredients you might find in edibles at the dispensary.
If you are interested in creating your own edibles, check out our helpful guide on how to make your edibles at home, including tips on selecting the right strain of cannabis and dosage recommendations.
Sources:
¹ Janero DR, Makriyannis A. Terpenes and Lipids of the Endocannabinoid and Transient-Receptor-Potential-Channel Biosignaling Systems. ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 2014;5(11):1097-1106. doi:10.1021/cn500087
² James JS. Marijuana and chocolate. AIDS treatment news. 1996;(No 257):3-4. Accessed December 20, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11363932/#:~:text=Abstract
³ Owolabi JO, Olatunji SY, Olanrewaju AJ. Caffeine and Cannabis Effects on Vital Neurotransmitters and Enzymes in the Brain Tissue of Juvenile Experimental Rats. Annals of Neurosciences. 2017;24(2):65-73. doi:10.1159/000475895
⁴ Russo EB. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2011;163(7):1344-1364. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x
⁵ Wurtman RJ, Wurtman JJ. Brain Serotonin, Carbohydrate-Craving, Obesity and Depression. Obesity Research. 1995;3(S4):477S480S. doi:10.1002/j.1550-8528.1995.tb00215.x
⁶ Grosso G, Galvano F, Marventano S, et al. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Depression: Scientific Evidence and Biological Mechanisms. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2014;2014:1-16. doi:10.1155/2014/313570
⁷ Simopoulos AP. Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2002;21(6):495-505. doi:10.1080/07315724.2002.10719248
⁸ Rossi S, De Chiara V, Musella A, et al. Caffeine drinking potentiates cannabinoid transmission in the striatum: Interaction with stress effects. Neuropharmacology. 2009;56(3):590-597. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2008.10.013
⁹ Chaves JS, Leal PC, Pianowisky L, Calixto JB. Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the sesquiterpene alpha-humulene in mice. Planta Medica. 2008;74(14):1678-1683. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1088307
¹⁰ Wong A, Montebello ME, Norberg MM, et al. Exercise increases plasma THC concentrations in regular cannabis users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2013;133(2):763-767. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.07.031
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