Last week I ordered pizza with a few friends. We were about to start a Sharknado marathon, and we thought it would be rude to make the sharks eat alone.
A few minutes after eating, I was ready to smoke again. I didn’t feel quite as high as I had before eating, and that seemed unacceptable given the rarity of a full Sharknado marathon.
When I offered the joint to my fellow marathoners, though, they both passed. One said she still felt high and didn’t want anymore. The other said he felt “super baked” now that he’d eaten and couldn’t handle anymore.
Suddenly I had a whole joint to myself and a question to answer.
If my friend felt higher after eating, why did I feel more sober? And if food could unintentionally boost his high, maybe I could do it on purpose.
The Best Foods to Boost Your High
Myrcene the Terpene
Myrcene is a terpene found in some plants. It is believed to bind with cannabinoid receptors, essentially priming them to respond more efficiently to THC.
Foods with high levels of myrcene include:
- Mangoes
- Lemon grass
- Wild thyme
- West Indian bay leaves
When to eat: About an hour before smoking.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids play a role in the production of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. Research has linked increases in omega-3 fatty acids with a healthier endocannabinoid system, and that means healthier and more efficient CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include:
- Seafood
- Flaxseeds
- Chia seeds
- Walnuts
- Grass-fed meat & dairy products
When to eat: Before or during smoking.
Carbohydrates and Vitamins B & E
Eating foods high in carbohydrates and B and E vitamins can help increase serotonin levels. While this won’t directly affect cannabinoids or receptors, serotonin does play a role in stress reduction and boosting your mood. That can make it easier to focus on your next hit (and to feel the calming effects longer).
Foods with high levels of carbohydrates include:
- Sweet potatoes
- Oatmeal or cereal
- Brown rice
- Whole wheat bread
- Sugars, syrups, and sweeteners
- Candy
- Potato chips
Foods with high levels of B or E vitamins (for those on a low-carb diet):
- Poultry
- Seafood
- Eggs
- Nutritional yeast
- Bananas
- Sunflower seeds
- Almonds and hazelnuts
- Almond, sunflower, and hazelnut oil
When to eat: Anytime! Before, during, or after you smoke.
Alcohol
If you’ve ever combined alcohol and marijuana, you may have found yourself feeling dizzy, tired, and generally more intoxicated than planned.
As it turns out, alcohol may be boosting the level of THC in your blood, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Chemistry.
Calories & Cannabinoids
Just glancing through this list, it can seem like every food can boost your high. If you still feel sober after eating, don’t give up hope. The best solution—and the tastiest—is to put each food to the test and see how they make you feel.
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