If you give a worm some marijuana, he may need a nibble as well.
According to a new study, humans are not the only species to experience ‘cravings’ after consuming cannabis.
After marijuana was legalized for recreational use in their state, researchers from the University of Oregon exposed roundworms to cannabinoids, which are compounds found in cannabis.
They placed the worms in a T-shaped maze, with one side containing high-quality bacteria that they enjoyed feeding on and the other side containing bacteria of inferior quality.
Under normal circumstances, the worms favored superior refreshment.
However, after being soaked in anandamide – a molecule produced by the body that activates cannabinoid receptors and recreates the sensation of being “high” – the animals’ preference for their favorite food grew even stronger.
They flocked to ‘nicer’ cuisine and lingered longer there.
Shawn Lockery, the study’s primary author, and a neuroscientist, stated, “We figured, what the hell, let’s just try it. We believed it would be entertaining if it worked.
Cannabinoids make [worms] more ravenous for their preferred foods and less hungry for their unpreferred foods.
‘We propose that this increase in existing preference is analogous to consuming more of the foods you would seek regardless.
It’s like choosing between pizza and muesli.
According to previous research, cannabis stimulates the region of the brain that controls eating behavior and energy balance.
It appears to persuade the brain that we are hungry, resulting in ‘hedonic feeding’ or ‘the munchies’.
Mr. Lockery explained, “This is one reason why, after consuming cannabis, you’re more likely to crave chocolate pudding but not necessarily a salad.”
In subsequent experiments, researchers identified neurons affected by anandamide.
These neurons become more responsive to high-quality food and less sensitive to low-quality food under the effect.
The last time worms and humans shared a common ancestor was over 600 million years ago. However, cannabinoids continue to affect our food preferences similarly.
