What Does “Munchies” Mean?

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Your guide to this slang term & what it means to have the munchies
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Have you heard someone say they have the “munchies” but aren’t sure what they meant? We can explain. “Munchies” is a slang term that describes feeling super hungry, though in some cases, it may specifically refer to feeling hungry after using marijuana. It’s also another word for light snack foods. In this article, we’ll explain all the different meanings and uses for “munchies,” complete with examples—so you’ll know exactly how to interpret it going forward!

“Munchies” Meaning at a Glance

Having the “munchies” is slang for feeling intensely hungry. It may specifically refer to feeling hungry after using marijuana or drinking alcohol, though it also indicates general hunger. Secondarily, “munchies” refers to snack foods usually eaten between meals or at parties.

Section 1 of 4:

What does “munchies” mean?

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  1. Overall, having “the munchies” means feeling hunger pangs and wanting to eat a snack (or even a meal) to satisfy them. Instead of saying, “I’m hungry,” someone might say they “have the munchies” (and mean the same thing). [1]
    • “I have the munchies BIG time right now. I’m craving cookies!! 🍪”
    • “Gotta grab some popcorn! Watching TV for over an hour always gives me the munchies.”
  2. While “munchies” refers to general feelings of hunger, it’s also commonly associated with the tendency to feel hungry after using marijuana (or drinking alcohol). Marijuana can stimulate intense hunger in people who use it, which is why they sometimes say they’ve got the munchies. [2]
    • “All 4/20 celebrations inevitably end in a case of the munchies.”
    • “I’ve never had the munchies as much as I did that day.”
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  3. In this context, it’s a word that describes the type of food (namely, anything you might have for a small snack rather than a hearty meal). The word “munchies” also typically implies that a snack is junk food, though it doesn’t necessarily have to be. [3]
    • “It’s not time for dinner yet, so I’m having some munchies to tide me over!”
    • “Want some munchies? I have chips, popcorn, and fruit! 🍉”
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Use “Munchies”

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  1. When you’re ravenous and dying for a snack, say you have “the munchies” to describe your hunger level. However, make sure you’re using this in casual conversations only—and you may want to clarify if you have the munchies for a reason (like drinking or smoking) or if you’re just hungry.
    • “Whoa, I’ve got some serious munchies today. I don’t even know where they came from!”
    • “Let’s get lunch soon! I have the munchies like you wouldn’t believe. 🤤”
  2. When you ask someone (like a friend or partner) to bring you a snack or plate of food, you might explain the request by saying you have the munchies. This can convey your hunger in a simple, playful way!
    • “Can you grab me a bag of trail mix? I have the munchies!”
    • “I have the munchies so bad rn, can you pick up some cheese and crackers at the store?”
  3. Alternatively, use “munchies” to talk about the kind of food you want (since “munchies” can refer to snack foods). You might say you’re craving munchies, tell a friend you’re serving munchies at a party, or ask what kind of munchies are served at a restaurant, for example.
    • Them : “Hey, what are you up to?”
    • You : “Enjoying some munchies! I found this new cookie flavor that’s absolutely AMAZING.”
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Section 3 of 4:

“Midnight Munchies” Meaning

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  1. You might also hear “munchies” used in the context of “midnight munchies” or “late-night munchies,” which just means someone is feeling hungry at night. It refers to the hunger people sometimes feel when they stay up late (after midnight) and want to eat something, even though they’d be eating at an unusual time. [4]
    • “I want to sleep, but I have the midnight munchies! 😴”
    • “I stayed up so late last night that I got the midnight munchies. There’s something kinda unhinged about making cereal at 1:30 am! 🥣”
Section 4 of 4:

Why are the “munchies” associated with marijuana?

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  1. THC is a chemical compound in marijuana that causes the feeling of being high. Research suggests that when it interacts with ghrelin, a hormone secreted by the stomach, it may also enhance a person’s appetite. Thus, using marijuana is said to cause “the munchies”—the hunger pangs people feel as a result of this chemical reaction. [5]
    • As cannabis has been legalized in certain areas, medical professionals have begun exploring the possibility of using medical cannabis to treat anorexia. [6]
    • Because CBD (a cannabinoid) doesn’t have THC in it, it can’t give anyone the munchies.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/munchies
      2. ↑ https://www.thefreedictionary.com/munchies
      3. ↑ https://www.thefreedictionary.com/munchies
      4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/199711/midnight-munchies
      5. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medical-marijuana-2018011513085
      6. ↑ https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-023-00887-9

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