Scientists discover why cannabis triggers food cravings
科學家發現大麻引發食慾的原因
更新於: 2026年6月10日 上午12:30
Have you ever wondered why cannabis often leads to a sudden, intense urge to eat, commonly known as 'the munchies'?
你是否曾好奇，為何大麻常會導致一種突然且強烈的進食衝動，也就是俗稱的「貪吃效應」(munchies)？
Scientists have finally decoded this phenomenon.
科學家終於破解了這個現象。
Research shows that THC, the active compound in cannabis, doesn't just increase hunger; it actually hijacks the brain's natural appetite-regulating system.
研究顯示，大麻中的活性化合物四氫大麻酚(THC)，不只是增加飢餓感；它實際上是劫持了大腦自然的食慾調節系統。
The process centers on the hypothalamus, a deep brain region responsible for maintaining balance.
此過程集中在下視丘，這是大腦深處負責維持平衡的區域。
Normally, neurons here are controlled by signals telling the brain when to stop eating.
通常，此處的神經元是由告知大腦何時停止進食的訊號所控制。
However, THC binds to CB1 receptors, effectively muting these 'stop' signals and switching specific neurons into a persistent 'go' mode.
然而，THC會與CB1受體結合，有效抑制這些「停止」訊號，並將特定的神經元切換為持續的「啟動」模式。
This creates an artificial drive to consume food, even when you aren't physically hungry.
這會產生一種人為的進食驅動力，即使你身體並不餓。
Furthermore, research suggests that cannabis might heighten your sense of smell and increase the 'reward value' of food, making every bite feel more satisfying.
此外，研究指出，大麻可能會增強你的嗅覺，並提高食物的「獎勵價值」，使每一口吃起來都更為滿足。
By mapping these specific brain circuits, scientists hope to develop new treatments for patients suffering from appetite loss due to conditions like cancer or HIV, as well as potential interventions for obesity.
透過繪製這些特定的腦部迴路，科學家希望能為因癌症或愛滋病(HIV)等疾病而遭受食慾喪失的患者開發新療法，以及潛在的肥胖症介入措施。
It turns out, your brain's 'munchies' are a fascinatingly complex neurological hack.
結果證明，大腦的「貪吃效應」是一種迷人且複雜的神經駭入現象。
