How to Enhance the Pleasure of Food with Cannabis
- When it comes to the pleasure of food, cannabis is the ultimate enhancement.
- Here’s how cannabis works as an aperitif.
- Plus, cannabis does far more than that. It’s also proven to make the overall experience of eating more blissful.
5-minute read
Cannabis And The Pleasure Of Food
We humans have been finding ways to enhance the pleasure of food since time immemorial. And that doesn’t end at just a great recipe. From wine pairings to ambiance, we’re always looking for ways to enhance our dining experiences. So, considering that the munchies are synonymous with cannabis, shouldn’t we start celebrating it as the ultimate aperitif and enrichment for the culinary arts?
Cannabis As Aperitif
The aperitif is an international tradition. It’s both a relaxing way to end the workday and a charming introduction to your evening meal. The word aperitif comes from the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open”. That’s because aperitifs open your stomach by stimulating hunger. Traditionally, aperitifs are alcoholic drinks that are served before a meal. But, from years of personal research 😉, we think cannabis is by far the best aperitif. That was the inspiration for House of Puff’s L’aperitif Pre Rolled Cones. At a half gram, they hold just enough cannabis to prime you for a lovely meal.
First Appearance Of The Aperitif
The aperitif has been around since at least the 5th century. We know that from a Greek Christian cleric warning his disciples against indulging in beverages that stimulate the appetite. His warning apparently stemmed from the Roman aristocracy’s reliance on gustatio (a sweetened wine) that they served prior to their infamously overindulgent feasts.
The “Modern” Aperitif
The first modern iteration of the aperitif appeared in 1796 when Antonio Carpano introduced vermouth to Turin. France gained its own version in 1846 when Joseph Dubonnet invented his still popular fortified wine. (Dubonnet with grapefruit juice and soda, anyone?) Believe it or not, Joseph was inspired by a government contest to make quinine—the drug that combats malaria—more palatable to the French. Other popular aperitifs include champagne cocktails, like the Bellini, and liqueur-based drinks like the gloriously orange Aperol Spritz.
The Pleasure Of Food In The 21st Century
With cannabis going mainstream, who says an aperitif has to be alcohol-based? Lots of us are doing whatever we can to stay hangover-free—even on the weekends. And of course, cannabis is much more renowned for stimulating the appetite than alcohol has ever been. One of its most documented benefits is its ability to reduce nausea and increase hunger. Plus, cannabis not only opens your stomach, it’s also proven to enhance the pleasure of food while you’re eating it.
How Does Cannabis Stimulate Hunger?
Like its alcoholic cousins, a mini joint is a great way to open your stomach for a meal. Recent research has uncovered that THC acts on the neurons in the brain that regulate hunger. These cells can release either a hunger stimulating hormone or a hunger suppressing hormone. But, when THC acts on the CB1 receptor inside them, it switches on the hormone that makes you hungry. Interestingly, researchers have also tried to create drugs to switch on the hormone that suppresses hunger. But Big Pharma lost literally billions of dollars when they had to scrap these drugs. Why? Because when they switched off hunger, they also switched on serious depression.
Unlike Alcohol, Cannabis Does It All
When it comes to the pleasure of food, there’s a big difference between cannabis and alcohol. Alcoholic aperitifs can open your stomach at the beginning of a meal. And so can a mini joint. But cannabis not only serves as an appetite stimulant. It can also enhance flavors, textures, and your overall experience of eating. We love our wine, but it just doesn’t do the same. Plus, of course, you can always enjoy food and wine pairings in addition to cannabis. It’s not an either/or kind of thing. Just go easy on both substances until you find the right crossfading
Why Does Cannabis Enhance The Pleasure Of Food
Here’s how cannabis works—it’s all about your gray matter. When you like doing something, your brain releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine. As this feel-good compound floods your brain, it communicates a rewarding euphoria to the rest of your body to keep you doing it. The THC in cannabis also increases the dopamine in your brain. That’s why a cannabis high can feel sooooo good. It’s literally flooding your body with the literal embodiment of pleasure. Of course, that extra hit of dopamine doesn’t mean cannabis can make everything taste great. For instance, if you hate broccoli, THC won’t suddenly make you like it. In fact, studies show that THC specifically increases our desire for and pleasure in calorie-dense foods. So, when you eat something yummy, THC will increase the amount of dopamine that your brain releases. So, cannabis can make foods you like extra tasty. Sign us up!
Best Strains For Enhancing The Pleasure Of Food
Not all cannabis strains stimulate your appetite. Some do much more than others. There are several strains that are particularly renowned for enhancing the pleasure of food. We recommend Girl Scout Cookies (aka GSC), Blackwater, Chemo, Head Cheese, Purple Kush, Tahoe OG, Skywalker, and Sour Diesel.
How To Enhance Food With Cannabis
Don’t get us wrong, no one loves a cocktail more than we do. But our favorite way to enhance the pleasure of food is with a pre-dinner joint. We also like to pair a leisurely smoke with an alcoholic aperitif. Prosecco and fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice or a sparkling Negroni always hit the spot. We have to admit that we make sure to do any complicated food prep before we indulge. But a petite puff (or 3) is perfect while you’re putting on the finishing touches or cooking one of the specialties you know by heart. Let’s be honest, whether it’s foie gras or burgers, nothing could make gastronomic delights more satisfying. And a little euphoria never hurt your dinner conversations either!
