The Weird Science Behind Why You Crave Pickles When You’re High

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Key Takeaways:

• THC triggers the munchies by boosting the hunger hormone ghrelin, sharpening your sense of smell, and rewiring how your brain processes food.
• Pickles are a munchie power move: salty, crunchy, tangy – and they hydrate and fight dry mouth too.
• Don’t feel guilty about your cravings. Dietitians say it’s all about planning ahead and making smarter snack swaps.

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CBD Oracle’s munchies survey revealed all kinds of fun facts, like how daily THC use makes you more likely to get the munchies every time, or how most people try to choose healthier snacks when high.

But one thing flashed like a neon sign: when we asked people to name the weirdest thing they’ve eaten while high, the most common genre by far involved pickles combined with something sweet.

Out of 1,000 responses, 69 people mentioned eating pickles with ice cream, peanut butter, or even just going full feral on an entire jar. We couldn’t help but wonder: why do so many people crave pickles when they’re high?

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Why Do We Get the Munchies, Anyway? A Look at the Science

Most people know that cannabis can cause the munchies, but why it has this effect is more complex than you might expect.

In fact, scientists have discovered several ways in which THC can cause the feelings of hunger – or at least, the desire for food – that many stoners know well.

Ultimately, all of these effects come down to the body’s cannabinoid system, the endocannabinoid system. In particular, THC activates CB1 receptors, which are G-protein coupled receptors involved in many of the key effects of cannabis, including the phenomenon of the munchies.

THC increases the hunger hormone: Ghrelin is sometimes called the “hunger hormone” and is released when your stomach is empty, acting on your hypothalamus to create hunger. Research shows that THC significantly increases the level of ghrelin in your blood, which creates at least part of the hunger that defines the munchies.

THC makes you more sensitive to smell: One study on mice suggests that THC enhances sensitivity to smell. This means that food smells even better than it ordinarily would, and could explain part of the increased food consumption that comes when you partake.

THC hijacks POMC neurons to stimulate appetite: Another study in mice suggested that cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors on the mitochondria within the POMC neurons, stimulating the release of beta-endorphin. These neurons are typically associated with satiety, signaling to your body that you’re full, but the authors found that THC gets the neurons to signal hunger instead. An author of the study described it, “It’s like pressing a car’s brakes and accelerating instead.”

The cannabinoid system is central to “liking” food (vs. “wanting”): While we’ll discuss this in more detail later, the cannabinoid system is closely involved in the neurological process of “liking” food, especially the THC-activated CB1 receptors. In short, consuming cannabis likely makes food more enjoyable, even if the effects on hunger are not especially prominent for you.

While there is much more to this picture, these four examples make it clear that the munchies happen for many different reasons. In fact, the multi-faceted effects of THC on the systems that control our appetite just goes to show why the munchies can be so hard to resist.

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The Pickle Obsession: What’s Going on Here?

In CBD Oracle’s survey, 69 people mentioned pickles when asked to name the weirdest thing they’ve eaten while high. At first glance, that might not seem like a lot, but with 1,000 people free to answer however they wanted, that’s about 1 in 14 bringing up pickles specifically.

Sure, peanut butter (78 mentions) and ice cream (94 mentions) were a bit more popular. But pickles were right behind, and they’re a lot less stereotypical when it comes to stoner snacks.

Clearly, something’s going on. But what?

The Snack Trifecta: Salt, Crunch, and Acid

One clue comes straight from the survey: when we asked what types of food people crave most when high, salty snacks topped the list, with 66% of respondents choosing them. Crunchy foods weren’t far behind, with 47% saying they crave that texture too.

Pickles check both boxes, salty and crunchy, with an extra bonus: their acidic sourness, another crave-worthy flavor we’ll touch on in a moment.

Takeaway: Pickles hit a “snack trifecta” that’s especially satisfying when you’re high.

You May Just Be Giving Your Body What It Needs

We asked Janice Newell Bissex, holistic cannabis practitioner and registered dietitian, about this seemingly unusual level of craving for pickles when you’re high. She explained to us:

We often crave what our body needs. In this case, in addition to the satisfying crunch and saltiness, pickles are about 95% water. Cannabis (in any form, but perhaps more with smoking) often causes dry mouth. Pickles would be a natural choice since the sourness stimulates the salivary glands to boost saliva production.

In other words, part of the pickle appeal could simply be about hydration. You’re getting salty, crunchy satisfaction and moisture to relieve a dry mouth—plus the sourness further boosts saliva production, doubling down on the effect.

Takeaway: Craving pickles might be your body’s way of asking for water, mixed in with a basic craving for something salty and satisfying.

Weird Foods and the Increase in Food “Liking” (and “Wanting” Too)

But wait, we can hear you objecting, that may explain why people like pickles, but it doesn’t explain why people would eat them with ice cream! It’s the type of combination you’d opt for if you were trying to come up with “gross” foods for people to eat as a prank or challenge, so why do people seem to like it when they’re high?

This is a tough question, but we’ve already touched on the pieces of the most likely answer. First off, among the many weird pickle combinations people told us about, one person simply wrote that they ate, “pickles out of a jar. I hate pickles.”

Why would this person do this? It comes down to what we said earlier about THC increasing the “liking” of food.

The difference between “liking” and “wanting” food is something scientists looking at the neurology of food are keen to establish. “Wanting” in this context relates to dopamine-linked expectation of reward from consuming the food – you know that a big plate of fries has salt and carbs that will satisfy your bodily needs, so the smell of freshly-cooked fries brings on a “wanting” craving.

“Liking” is closely-linked to “wanting” but not the same thing. Liking in this context is often described as “hedonic enjoyment” – as in, when you get that plate of fries, do you actually enjoy eating it? While the other impacts of THC (for example, boosting ghrelin) are also important, the fact that CB1 receptors are key players in “liking” is the most important piece of this puzzle.

The respondent who ate pickles despite not usually enjoying them is experiencing this effect: the THC stimulating the CB1 receptors boosts the “liking” of the food even if in his or her natural state, it would not be enjoyable.

This goes further too: even if you usually like pickles, you probably wouldn’t usually cover them in chocolate. But again, when THC is boosting your “liking” of food, this normal response is drowned out and you actually enjoy it.

How to Snack Smarter When You’re High

Another surprising result from the survey is that around two-thirds of respondents said they try to choose healthier munchies when they get high, at least sometimes.

Perhaps less surprising is that over half of respondents said the munchies made it harder to meet their weight and nutrition goals, and 55% said they spend more on food because of the munchies.

As a result, 43% said they feel guilty after getting the munchies.

We mentioned this to Emily Kyle, a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and holistic cannabis practitioner (HCP). She explained to us:

As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I see this as a challenge that goes far beyond just cannabis users—it’s something so many of us deal with. We all start the day with the best intentions, promising ourselves we’ll make healthy choices. But when hunger strikes and we’re not prepared, convenience usually takes over. And let’s be real, convenience isn’t always the healthiest option.

Adding that, “The truth is, success doesn’t come from willpower in the moment—it comes from preparation. Those who consistently make healthier snack choices are typically the ones who take the time to plan ahead. It’s really about setting yourself up for success.”

Tackling the Guilt – Prepare Ahead of Time, And Enjoy Your Food

Most people can relate to the feeling of guilt after indulging in snack foods – especially those of us who get the munchies regularly – but Janice Bissex made a very important point:

I am of the mindset that no one should feel guilty about what they eat. The important thing is to enjoy whatever you choose to consume. Yes, I’m a dietitian so I prefer that people eat more vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and beans, but food is about pleasure. Moderation is the key. A variety of healthy and not-so-healthy foods can fit into a nutritious diet.

Emily Kyle suggests a two-step process to finding a good snack swap:

“Start by asking yourself, ‘What am I always craving? Is it something sweet, salty, crunchy, or savory?’ The idea is to work with what you already love. For example, if you’re a sweets lover, forcing yourself to eat a plain cheese stick probably won’t hit the spot. You’ll likely end up eating it and reaching for those cookies afterward. Instead, try swapping your treat for something that’s sweet and satisfying, like a homemade trail mix with dried fruit, nuts, and maybe a few dark chocolate chips. You’re more likely to actually enjoy it, feel satisfied, and stick to the switch.”

Emily also stresses the importance of forward planning, “Next comes preparation. Whatever snack swap you choose, think about how you can make it fit seamlessly into your routine. For instance, while it’s not realistic to make fresh trail mix every single day, it is practical to set aside a little time on, say, Sunday to make a big batch and portion it out into individual containers for the week. That way, each morning, you can just grab one and toss it into your bag. This small upfront effort will make it so much easier to stick with the habit—you’re setting yourself up for success by keeping things convenient and effortless.”

Janice Bissex reminded us of why staying hydrated is crucial for both general well-being and to help you feel more full:

“It’s also important to be well hydrated before and while consuming cannabis. Seltzer or juice spritzers or flavored waters and fruit (think watermelon, cantaloupe, orange, kiwi, apple) can help keep you hydrated and fill you up, so maybe you won’t eat quite as much.”

The Best Stoner Snack Swaps

Moderation and preparation are the main things to keep in mind, but we also asked dietitian nutritionists Emily Kyle and Janice Bissex for some practical “snack swaps” that you can easily start using.

All of these are great because they hit the same spot as more typical, unhealthy munchie food while reducing the calories and boosting the nutritional value.  

This is why Emily Kyle sang the praises of popcorn as a munchie snack, “If you’re into salty, savory flavors, swapping popcorn for potato chips is a super easy and satisfying change that makes a big difference. Think about it—an ounce of potato chips (around 15 chips) packs about 150 calories, 10 grams of fat, and barely any fiber. Meanwhile, air-popped popcorn is a game changer—just 30 calories per cup, practically no fat, and even offers some fiber to help keep you full.”

And for those of us with a sweet tooth, she says, “If you have a sweet tooth like me, Greek yogurt is a total go-to. You can grab a single-serve cup in your favorite flavor for convenience, or jazz up plain Greek yogurt with some fresh fruit and a sprinkle of granola to make it feel like a treat. It’s creamy, high-protein, and so satisfying—it’s the kind of snack that feels indulgent but keeps you fueled at the same time.”

Janice also had some concrete suggestions for snacks to replace your usual munchies with:

• A frozen whole grain waffle with a drizzle of peanut butter or maple or chocolate syrup 
• Popcorn with Parmesan cheese
• Nachos with black beans and cheese
• Chips and salsa or guacamole 
• Veggies and hummus
• Fruit smoothie
• Berries with a dollop of whipped cream
• Yogurt with granola and berries
• Banana with peanut butter 
• Pumpkin or banana chocolate chip mini muffins
• Homemade granola bar
• Avocado toast
• Raspberries with a chocolate chip in the middle (my favorite!)
• Homemade oatmeal raisin cookies
• Fruit salad with yogurt

There are many choices beyond these suggestions that would also work well. You can – and should – get creative with it and use these as a jumping-off point.

However, the beauty of these suggestions is that you can generally either prepare them beforehand (for example, oatmeal raisin cookies, granola bars, mini muffins and fruit salad) or easily put them together while high (such as popcorn, Greek yoghurt, avocado toast, nachos, veggies and hummus, fruit smoothie and berries with whipped cream).

Bottom Line: Work With Your Munchies, Not Against Them

Whether it’s an unexpected craving for pickles or the usual salty or sweet fix, the key is to work with your munchies, not fight them. If pickles are calling your name, go for it – your body might just be craving hydration. Make sure you have some water by your side, too, because taking down a whole jar still isn’t ideal.

For everything else, follow the advice from Janice and Emily: don’t feel guilty, recognize what you’re craving, and plan a smarter snack swap. And if you still reach for the cookies? Keep it in moderation, but enjoy it.

Bottom line: the munchies aren’t your enemy. They’re a natural side effect of cannabis that can actually enhance the experience. With a little prep, you can satisfy your cravings and still hit your nutrition goals.