Hashish or Hash is mainly extracted from stems, leaves, and flowers of cannabis. The delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is an active ingredient in both hashish and marijuana. But hashish has a higher concentration of THC as compared to marijuana. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the blocks of hashish have around 5% to 15% of THC, while most marijuana products contain only 1% to 5% of THC. The most concentrated form is Hash oil, which contains up to 20% of THC.
Both hashish and marijuana work the same way due to their active psychoactive chemicals. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, provoking sedation, relaxation, and high. It also affects cognitive functions, such as focus and memory, and motor control.
How Long Does Traces of Hash Can Be Found in the Body?
- Urine – It lasts up to 30 days
- Blood – Only up to four hours
- Saliva –Around 72 hours
- Hair – Around 90 days
What are the Short-term Effects of Hashish?
Some of the short-term effects are –
- Disrupted memory and learning ability
- Trouble in problem-solving and thinking
- Distorted perception (time, sounds, touch, and sights)
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Anxiety
- Lack of motor control
When Hash is combined with alcohol and other substances, these effects are even worse.
What are the Side Effects of Hashish?
Both hashish and marijuana have the same side effects and can affect both physically and psychologically. Here are some of them –
- Distortion in senses
- Vomiting, nausea, and cramps in the stomach
- Respiratory changes
- Loss of motor control
- Highly sleepy
- Elevated blood pressure and heartbeat
- Risk of heart attack
- Depression
- Increased weight gain and hunger
- Risky behavior due to poor decision-making and lack of coordination
- Lacking the ability to make wise decisions
- Panic attacks, anxiety, loss of control, and confusion
How does Hashish affect in the Long Term?
Here are some of the long-term effects of hashish abuse –
- Growth issues in teens.
- Reduced immune response to common health problems like bronchitis, cold, and flu, etc.
- Abnormal cell division and structure.
- Respiratory illness.
- Reduced libido and testosterone production.
- Changes in cognition and mood.
- Psychological and emotional problems like lack of motivation, apathy, depression, and risk of developing psychosis.
When to look for professional help with Hashish abuse?
Hashish and marijuana are not known to be highly addictive drugs. But they contain THC, which may lead to psychological dependence and withdrawal symptoms of cannabis when a person stops using it suddenly. Its symptoms are milder than several other widely used substances. But they still don’t go away. Some of these symptoms are sleep problems, mood swings, cravings, headaches, and digestion problems. The length and severity of withdrawal also vary upon the amount of hash taken and frequency before stopping it.
If you or someone you know are having intense symptoms, you should seek professional help from a drug rehab center in Delhi, Sanctum Wellness. They can help you with coping strategies to deal with physical and psychological symptoms due to withdrawal.