Worms get the munchies after having cannabis.
Worms get the munchies when they are exposed to cannabis
A new study has found that cannabinoids - substances found in the cannabis plant - make the animals crave their favourite snacks in the same way that humans do.
In the research, published in the journal Current Biology, scientists discovered the worms showed a stronger preference for higher-calorie foods when soaked in a cannabinoid.
The results suggest that cannabis can interfere with an important mechanism that helps to regulate appetite.
Study author Shawn Lockery, of the University of Oregon, said: "We thought, well heck, let's just try this. We thought it would be amusing if it worked.
"Cannabinoids make (worms) hungrier for their favoured foods and less hungry for their non-favoured foods.
"We suggest that this increase in existing preference is analogous to eating more of the foods you would crave anyway.
"It's like choosing pizza versus oatmeal."