Foods That Boost Your High: Mango, Chocolate and More

Foods that boost THC

The foods most often said to boost a weed high are mango, chocolate, nuts and other fatty foods, broccoli, sweet potatoes and beer, mostly thanks to terpenes like myrcene, compounds like anandamide, and the fact that THC dissolves in fat. The evidence behind most of these is thin and largely anecdotal, so treat them as experiments, not guarantees. What's solid is the other direction: one of the best-known effects of cannabis is that it stimulates appetite. 

That effect can be a big help for patients who struggle to eat because of medications or other factors. Some people even say weed makes food taste better. One study in mice linked that to the fact that cannabinoids appear to heighten the sense of smell, which is closely tied to our sense of taste.

So weed can definitely make food better, but some people argue it works the other way too: certain foods may also change your experience with weed.

Cannabis is full of natural terpenes that are thought to help its cannabinoids interact with the body's endocannabinoid system.

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Mango

Myrcene is the most abundant terpene in cannabis, and it also shows up in mangoes, in fairly high concentrations. The popular theory goes like this: eat a mango before you smoke and you raise the myrcene levels in your body. Once THC and other cannabinoids enter the picture, myrcene is supposed to make it easier for them to interact with the body's cannabinoid receptors. Fans of the trick say the high kicks in faster, hits harder and lasts longer, though there's no solid research in humans to back it up.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains small amounts of anandamide, a cannabinoid-like compound that your body also makes on its own and that's believed to play a role in the euphoric “runner's high” after exercise. A lab study even found that anandamide slowed the growth of breast cancer cells in a dish, which is a long way from proof of anything in people. The idea is that, eaten with cannabis, chocolate's anandamide may boost the euphoric and pain-relieving effects of weed.

Broccoli 

Broccoli is often cited as a source of beta-caryophyllene, a terpene that acts like a dietary cannabinoid and interacts with cannabinoid receptors involved in pain and inflammation. Those are two of the most common reasons patients turn to medical cannabis. The theory is that pairing weed with a healthy serving of broccoli could add to the pain relief.

Nuts

Nuts are good for you in general, and they may also help with the effects of weed. The idea is that their fatty acids bind to cannabinoids, which could make the high kick in faster and stick around longer. The usual tip is to snack on them while you're high. 

Sweet potatoes

Some people spiral into negative thought loops when they're high, and if that's you, sweet potatoes might be your food. The vitamins in sweet potatoes may help the brain make serotonin, and some people say that keeps them in a better mood for longer while they're stoned.

Beer

Research suggests alcohol can raise THC levels in the blood, which is why weed and beer together can hit much harder. Go easy, though: crossfading is one of the fastest ways to end up with the spins or greening out.

Lots of natural terpenes and cannabinoids may shape the effects of cannabis. Plants and herbs like thyme, sage and bay leaf contain terpenes such as linalool, limonene and alpha-pinene, which some people believe can enhance the effects of weed and may have health benefits of their own.

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What should you eat to make THC hit harder?

Eating while you consume cannabis can change how THC is absorbed and how its effects feel. Some foods may boost the effect of THC, but keep in mind that results vary from person to person. A few pointers:

1. Fatty foods: THC is fat-soluble, meaning it dissolves in fat. Eating foods rich in healthy fats, like avocado, nuts, seeds or olive oil, can help your body absorb more THC and strengthen its effects.
2. Mango: Mango contains myrcene, a terpene that's believed to interact with the endocannabinoid system and may intensify the effects of THC. Some people eat mango before or after smoking to try to boost the high.
3. Citrus: Some people claim citrus fruits like oranges or lemons increase cannabinoid activity in the body, so they eat them before or after consuming weed to intensify THC's effects. The evidence here is thin.
4. Herbal tea: Brewing an herbal tea with mint, chamomile or lavender and adding a small amount of cannabis may boost the effect. Combining the relaxing compounds in the herbs with THC can make for a more intense experience.

Keep in mind that the way food and THC interact can be different for everyone. On top of that, consuming cannabis with food calls for proper dosing and safe preparation methods. It's always a good idea to get accurate information and talk to an expert before you start experimenting with food and weed combos.

What makes THC stronger?

If you want to get more out of THC, there are a few factors to consider. Again, results can vary depending on the person and how you consume it.

1. The right dose: How much THC you take shapes how strong it feels. Starting low and going up gradually helps you dial in the effects without tipping into unpleasant or unwanted territory. Remember that too much THC can bring on side effects like anxiety or paranoia.
2. How you consume it: The way you take cannabis also affects how strong THC feels. Smoking or vaping tends to hit faster and more intensely than edibles, which take longer to kick in but last much longer.
3. Your tolerance: THC tolerance builds up over time, which means you may need more to feel the same effects. A tolerance break can bring your tolerance down and make the effects stronger again.
4. Terpenes: Terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis that are believed to influence its effects. Some, like myrcene and limonene, have been suggested to enhance THC. Choosing strains rich in these terpenes may make your THC feel stronger.

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