Fast Facts, Health Hazards and Impacts of Hashish

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What is Hashish?

Hashish is composed of the compressed resins from the cannabis plant. Hashish can either be extracted from the plant through chemical processes or mechanical ones that strip the resin from the outside of the marijuana buds. Hashish is sold in compressed blocks, balls or bricks, and by the time they reach the consumer, may be small squares wrapped in aluminum foil.

Pieces are then broken off, placed in pipes and smoked. The Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan/Afghanistan are the main sources of hashish. The THC content of hashish that reaches the United States, where demand is limited, averaged 6 percent in the 1990s. Hash is sold in solid pieces ranging in color from light brown to black; in texture from dry to soft and crumbly. It can also be baked into cookies or cakes.

Hash facts

Perhaps because of the legalization of marijuana in many states in the US, cannabis has a reputation for being fairly harmless. Of course, those in favor of legalization of this drug do not mention the more damaging effects of the drug.

The most well-known effect of hashish use is the same euphoric, drowsy, sedated effect of cannabis. But along with this comes a number of other effects:

Distortions of time and space. A person may not realize how much time has passed or how fast he or she is traveling and driving a car under the influence is dangerous. Cannabis is the most common drug found in the bodies of drivers who die in accidents, sometimes in combination with other drugs or alcohol.

These distortions also make it difficult to play sports, meaning that anyone who is athletic may not maintain their prior level of accomplishment if they start smoking hashish.

An unmotivated, “I don’t care” attitude is common among hashish smokers. This attitude can lead a person to give up activities and interests that were important to him or her before, such as a young person giving up a college education or a career.

The reduced ability to understand what is read or heard and therefore learn, solve problems or concentrate that is common to hashish smokers would impair anyone’s ability to complete an education.

Hashish can be quite psychologically addictive as well as physically. By that is meant a person is dependent on the way it makes them feel. He or she uses it to relieve stress or eliminate the need to deal with real-life problems. Instead, they can just indulge in the euphoria, drowsiness, and relaxation.

Short-term effects of hash

• Muscular incoordination, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and reddening of the eyes.
• Concentration, short-term memory, driving ability, stability, balance, ability to process information and judgment are all markedly impaired.
• The user feels calm, relaxed, talkative and giddy.
• Sensory perception seems enhanced, colors brighter, sounds more distinct.
• Appetite, reaction time, pulse rate and pupil size are increased.
• A sense of time and space distorted.
• Some users withdraw, or experience fearfulness, spontaneous laughter, anxiety, depression; users experience hallucinations, paranoia and panic reactions with larger doses and symptoms worsen in persons with psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia.

Long-term effects of hash

• Increased risk of cancers, of the oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus.
• Respiratory system damaged by smoking.
• Disruption in the menstrual cycle, decreased sperm count, possible congenital abnormalities are also some of the effects.
• Psychological effects include panic reactions, psychosis, amotivational syndrome, diminished drive, lessened ambition, decreased motivation.
• Impaired ability to learn and become educated.

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Hashish and Pregnancy

Women who were chronic hashish users during pregnancy have a higher than normal number of stillborn births and early termination of their pregnancies. A higher number of babies of cannabis-using women die in the first few days of life, while the causes of this effect are not yet known.

Among test animals given tetrahydrocannabinol (THC - the intoxicating ingredient of cannabis), there were more malformations of the brain, spinal cord, liver, and legs than among other animals not given the drug. In some other tests, there were more gross birth defects and fetal deaths.

It is now also beginning to look like cannabis use by either parent leads to specific birth defects of the baby’s hands or feet. Cannabis-using parents also have underweight babies more frequently.